STENCIL CLEANING FRAME OPTIMISES EFFICIENCY

Main Menu | News By Date | News By Supplier | News By Category | About Us

STENCIL CLEANING FRAME OPTIMISES EFFICIENCY
05 March 2002 - Tecan

A highly-effective frame system, specifically for handling solder paste/glue stencils during the cleaning process, has been developed by Weymouth based specialist Tecan Ltd.

With the Tecan approach, the stencil is easily and quickly transferred, from the printing frame to the dedicated cleaning frame, and fixed using a simple quick-release mechanism. In addition to double-ended axial tensioning the readily adjustable cleaning frame has mid-section support to stabilise the stencil, avoiding damage throughout the cleaning cycle.

Saving time and money, typically for medium and high volume PCB manufacturers, the frame overcomes traditional problems, such as accidental damage and inconsistent cleaning, encountered while transferring stencils to and from the cleaning area and in the cleaning machines and tanks themselves. Some producers attempt to clean stencils while they are still attached to their re-mountable printing frames, a common practise, which can bring further problems. For example, prolonged exposure to today's cleaning solutions can inflict terminal damage to printing frames, significantly reducing overall operational efficiency.

Using the new system, the printing frame itself remains within the production environment, maximising its operational future, only the cleaning frame is exposed to the cleaning process. Since there is minimal physical contact between the stencil and the cleaning frame, the stencil can be efficiently cleaned whilst under safe tension - whatever the cleaning system used. When removed from the tank, or spray booth, the frameÕs design ensures the maximum drainage, or run off, of the cleaning solution from the frame, and the stencil itself, maximising cleaning agent recovery and limiting staining.

Robust stainless steel construction offers compatibility with any known cleaning solution available today, says the company. Frames are available to suit all re-mountable stencil types and can incorporate individual requirements such as non-standard cleaning tank dimensions.

http://www.tecan.co.uk

About: Tecan
Tecan is a world-class, ISO 9001:2000 registered precision metal part and tool manufacturer, based in Weymouth, UK. Formed in 1970, Tecan offers the 'total' one-stop contract-manufacturing solution - from technology development through to rapid prototyping and volume production.

Tecan's team of experienced engineers work closely with the customer to develop manufacturing solutions to meet their exact cost and tolerance requirements. Years of process development have culminated in Tecan being able to cost-effectively manufacture metal parts with feature sizes down to 2-micron at sub-micron accuracy - and to put that into perspective, there are 1,000-microns to one millimetre.

Technological innovation and expertise form the basis of Tecan's success, and have provided the platform for the development of competences in several process technologies, including:

• Photo Chemical Machining (PCM)
• Photo ElectroForming (PEF)
• Precision photolithography
• Precision electroplating

Tecan works on a global basis with a diverse range of OEM customers, who are involved in a wide array of industries. The nature of Tecan's competences, combined with its commitment to R&D, allows it to stretch to meet the requirements of virtually any application.

More News:
  • For March 2002
  • From Tecan
  • For Photochemical Machining (PCM)