Greater demand in manufacturing and the arrival of Industry 4.0 have encouraged vendors to come up with selective conformal coating and dispensing equipment.
By Sneha Ambastha
Many new suppliers of dispensing and conformal coating equipment have entered the Indian market in the past few months. An increase in demand has led to the launch of high-speed dispensing equipment with selective conformal coating machines; however, there have not been many new developments with respect to curing equipment.
Featured here are a few of the recently launched dispensing, coating and curing equipment.
Dispensing systems
Nordson ASYMTEK’s Spectrum II
This recently launched cleanroom series from Nordson ASYMTEK is an improved and efficient fluid-dispensing system for applications like wafer-level underfill packaging, chip encapsulation, 3D packaging, dam and fill, MEMs wafer capping, dispensing thermal compounds and the assembly of mobile phone camera modules. Owing to its modular design it can be easily upgraded and updated for new production requirements and applications. Spectrum II offers closed-loop, built-in process controls like pressure regulators, software controlled fluid dispensing, the capability to manage six heating stations, an integrated weighing scale, etc, to automatically ensure volumetric repeatability on long production runs.
Key features
-
Has a small footprint of only 600mm (width), resulting in greater productivity and floor space for high volume production
-
Includes a stainless steel system enclosure for easy wipe-down and maintenance
-
Enabled with Fluidmove 6.0 software that reduces dependence on operators and works on the Windows 7 operating system
-
Has accurate and repeatable X axis and Y axis dispensing for smaller keep-out-zones to accommodate high density packages
-
Its precise Z-axis control enables tighter dispense gaps for thinner lines and smaller dots
-
Has up to six heating stations with single or dual-lane conveyance
Key specifications:
Dispense area (X-Y): 339mm x 410mm
Air supply: Two air supplies: One with 3CFM @ 100psi for contact tooling; a second one with 1CFM @ 100psi for the rest of the system (100psi = 689kPa, 6.8atm)
Power: Power supply accommodates 200V AC – 240V AC, 47Hz-63Hz single phase, 30A
Weight: 377kg – 422kg
System footprint (WxD):
-
Single heat station: 600mm x 1321mm
-
Two heat stations: 850mm x 1321mm
-
Three heat stations: 1100mm x 1321mm
USP: High speed, high accuracy fluid dispensing system for cleanrooms
Contact details: Nordson ASYMTEK; California, USA; http://www.nordson.com
India: TransTechnology India Pvt Ltd; [email protected], http://trans-tec.com/
Dispensing jets
PVA’s HMX
The HMX is a hot-melt jet system from PVA that can be either used as a controller or integrated into a fully automated dispensing system. It’s dual independent temperature controllers allow the nozzles to be heated to the optimum jetting temperatures of about 150˚C. It has air precision regulators and gauges for fine-tuned jetting applications. Enabled with all these features, when the HMX is integrated with automated dispensing systems, it can be used in applications such as medical, automotive and mobile electronics.
Key features
-
Designed to get cleaning done quickly and easily
-
Comes with a tungsten carbide tip and an advanced high-temperature diaphragm
-
Its feed tube locking feature allows swapping of a preheated syringe to avoid any interruption during production
-
Its dual and independent temperature controllers are optimised to control the jetting performance
-
Capable of dispensing hot-melt up to 150˚C
-
Capable of achieving 0.4mm jetting lines at a speed of up to 100mm/sec
Key specifications:
Nozzle sizes:
-
Standard carbide nozzle: 0.064mm, 0.075mm, 0.100mm, 0.125mm, 0.150mm, 0.200mm, 0.300mm and 0.400mm
-
Carbide capillary (2mm): 0.125mm and 0.200mm
-
Carbide capillary (6mm): 0.075mm, 0.125mm and 0.200mm
Jet pressure:
-
Minimum: 0.2mpa (30psi)
-
Maximum: 0.5mpa (75psi)
Speed: Up to 200Hz continuous duty
Dimensions: 61.6mm x 113.3mm x 191.1mm
USP: Specifically designed for high temperature operations
Contact details: Precision Valve & Automation; New York, USA; http://www.pva.net
Mycronic’s MY700
MY700 is a high-speed jet system used for dispensing assembly fluids and for jet printing of solder paste. Available in three models (MY700JD, MY700JP and MY700JX), this series can be used for both dispensing and printing operations. These models are said to provide consistent and accurate results for each component on board, because they are completely software driven and do not require any human intervention. This equipment features on-the-fly dispensing at 300 dots per second and 3G acceleration.
Key features
-
Is versatile, fast and precise
-
Comes with smart software for intelligent automation
-
Has dual heads for productivity and dual lanes for buffering and smart handling of boards
-
Handles hassle-free operations like flexible substrates, LED boards, cavities and package-on-package applications
-
Equipped with a state-of-art vision system that provides fiducial recognition on-the-fly
-
Has an accurate laser height measurement feature to automatically compensate for board stretch and warpage
USP: Has a fast and precise jet dispenser with the jet printing option
Contact details: Mycronic AB; Nytorpsvagen, Sweden; http://www.mycronic.com
India: Accurex Solutions Pvt Ltd; [email protected], http://www.accurexsolutions.com
Curing systems
Dymax’s BlueWave MX-150
Launched in 2016, BlueWave MX-150 is an LED spot curing system from Dymax with unique curing flexibility. Used for smaller LEDs, its LED emitters are available in various wavelengths such as 365nm, 385nm and 405nm. This device can be used either as a benchtop unit or an integrated automated system for highly consistent curing intensities. The company claims that BlueWave MX-150 provides consistent curing by eliminating the loss of intensity caused by the bent or long lightguides.
Key features
-
Quickly cures a variety of materials with a high intensity of up to 40W/cm2
-
Compatible with various types of ultraviolet (UV) and visible light-curable materials
-
Comes with LED emitters available at various wavelengths such as 365nm, 385nm and 405nm
-
Allows co-optimisation of adhesive and curing systems for optimal cure
-
Capable of easily entering, storing and recalling the curing program whenever needed
-
Comes with an instant on-off feature and requires no warm-up period
Key specifications:
Output frequency:
-
RediCure: 365nm
-
PrimeCure: 385nm
-
VisiCure: 405nm
Power supply input: 100V-240V≈ 2.5A, 50-60Hz
Cooling: Air cooled
Weight:
-
Controller: 1.18kg
-
Emitter: 0.64kg
Dimensions (H x W x D):
-
Controller: 146mm x 95mm x 159mm
-
Emitter: 200.6mm x 50mm x 50mm
USP: Uniquely designed to offer curing flexibility
Contact details: Dymax Corporation; Connecticut, USA; www.dymax.com
Conformal coating systems
Nordson ASYMTEK’s Select Coat SL-940
The Select Coat SL-940 conformal coating system has a dual simultaneous programming pitch. Launched in September 2016, this system has two coating applicators that operate at the same time. It features a batch-style configuration, with a PCB frame holder for single parts and batch coating applications. It supports the integration of customised handling equipment, based on requirements. It has been built to handle up to three individually controlled applicators like droplet, tri-mode swirl and airless film coaters. The Select Coat SL-940 includes multiple and concurrent design aspects, to ensure that the operation is within the low flammable limit standards and avoids entering any ATEX-governed environment.
Key features
-
Capable of both offline and online programming with automated batch or in-line processing
-
Enabled with integrated process control that ensures a high quality wet dispensing performance
-
Comes in a modular design that accommodates future production needs
-
Is designed for easy maintenance and is resistant to strong agents
-
Delivers high productivity and yields with its high speed and accuracy
-
Its software controlled electronic regulators monitor and set the fluid and air pressure
Key specifications:
Air supply: 620kPa (90 psi. 6.2 Bar), up to 0.34m3/min (20.4m3/hr 12SCFM) maximum, depending on the configuration
Power: 200V AC/240V AC, 10A (max.), 50Hz/60Hz
Weight: 426kg
System footprint (WxD): 1000mm x 1329mm
-
Computer keyboards/monitors occupy additional 527mm in the front
-
Lower door requires 855mm clearance to open in the front
-
1000mm clearance in the rear is recommended
USP: Provides high productivity and quality for automated coating processes
Contact details: Nordson ASYMTEK; California, USA; http://www.nordson.com
India: TransTechnology India Pvt Ltd; [email protected], http://trans-tec.com/
GPD Global’s SimpleCoat
SimpleCoat is a recently launched selective conformal coating system. It has full-featured programming software that makes the complete process of conformal coating quick and easy to set up. Being fully programmed, it is easy to alter motion parameters and valve parameters. The company claims it is ideal for low and medium volume production in applications that require high levels of accuracy and repeatability.
Key features
-
Supports inline operation with SMEMA communication
-
Equipped with a robust, three-axis motion platform
-
Can be configured with two types of valves
-
Integrated with an internal black light for coating inspection
-
Can be fully programmed either manually or by using a JPG image of a PCB
-
Has a standalone configuration without any conveyor
Key specifications:
Air supply: 6bar 85PSI dry clean air
Power: 110V AC/220V AC, 50Hz/60Hz
Weight: 275kg
System footprint (W x D x H): 1000mm x 1400mm x 1550mm
USP: Cost-effective solution for conformal coating
Contact details: GPD Global; Colorado, USA; http://www.gpd-global.com
AXXON’s AC-800
This recently launched machine from AXXON is a high performance conformal coating system for online production work. It can be configured with a dual valve system and is controlled by software to easily perform the complicated coating process. The rapidly programmable AC-800 is ideal for various applications like military instruments, application circuit boards, control panels, outdoor LED displays, frequency converter circuit boards, etc.
Key features
-
Supports high speed and stable operations
-
Allows change of coating mode without interrupting the ongoing work, resulting in improved efficiency
-
Comes with flexible multi-axis controls for coating complicated PCBs
-
Equipped with powerful process control capabilities that ensure high quality and uniformity
-
Comes with a three-mode spray valve to meet different coating demands
-
Supports smart manufacturing through features like automatic program calling, ID identification, data statistics, fool proofing, etc.
Key specifications:
Air supply: 80psi (5.5bar)
Power: 200V AC/240V AC, 50Hz/60Hz, 10A
Weight: 1000kg
System footprint: 1055mm x 1447mm x 1650mm
USP: High performance conformal coating system ready for smart manufacturing
Contact details: Shenzhen AXXON Automation Co. Ltd; Shenzhen, China; http://www.axxonauto.com
India: Accurex Solutions Pvt Ltd; [email protected], http://www.accurexsolutions.com