All the new printing systems in the market focus on printer efficiency and accuracy to provide maximum output
By Sneha Ambastha
Printing systems in the SMT line are used to screen print the solder paste onto the circuit board before the surface mount components are placed on it. Due to their function, they are also referred to as SMT screen printers.
There are instances when the solder paste screen printing is done with the help of a stencil, in which case, stencil printers are used. These come with stencils for easy screening of the solder paste only in the stipulated areas. The size of these printing systems varies, depending upon their usage. They can be used in labs for R&D and prototyping or in industries for production.
Small, desktop printers can be used in labs, while the large printers are required for production with manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic functionalities; but these sizes also depend upon the size of the PCB and the volume of production.
SMT printers are in great demand in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and PCB industries. Here we bring you some of the latest launches in this category, over the past few years.
Model: YCP10, Brand: Yamaha, Manufacturer: Yamaha Motor IM
Launched in January 2016, this printing system from Yamaha has a global listed price of about US$ 80,000 and above. It has a single squeegee system (3S) with auto angle variation that depends upon the balance solder paste available on the stencil. It also has a vacuum stencil hold-down feature that appeals to PCB assemblers from sectors like smartphones, automotive, EMS, etc.
Key features
- Has similar printing quality compared to its flagship models
- Is compatible with large circuit boards and a wide variety of stencil frames
- Comes with various built-in features that ensure high quality and printing accuracy
- Is extremely versatile with multiple functions included in one unit
- Supports Yamaha SMT production line network and delivers high efficiency
Technical specifications
- Configuration type: Fully automatic
- Conveyor type: Multiple lead-screws ensure parallel rails: Parallel to 1.0mm
- Printing speed: 8.0 sec excluding print stroke
- Screen frame compensation accuracy: 1 micron
- Screen frame dimensions: All sizes from 550mm x 550mm up to 750mm x 750mm
- Squeegee type: Metal and PU
- PCB load time: 1.5 sec
- PCB size (L x W): 510mm x 460mm
- Machine dimensions (L1 x W1 x H1): 130mm x 760mm x 370mm
USP: Has a 3s system with auto squeegee angle variation
Contact details: global.yamaha-motor.com
Indian distributor: Leaptech Corporation, Suresh Nair, Ph: 9820-709940, [email protected], www.leaptech.in
Model: SP1, Brand: Samsung, Manufacturer: Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd
Launched recently, the SP1 is a high performance printer by Samsung that incorporates advanced SMT technology and adheres to the 6 Sigma level of print quality. It is capable of providing high speed mixed production with a dual lane conveyor (bypass), connecting two printing machines from the same series together. It also provides increased user convenience through its maximised operations like providing displays of utilities and the various stages in the production process.
Key features
- Comes with a high print quality of 6 Sigma level
- Is suitable for high speed mixed production
- Comes with maximised operational convenience
- The model of the machine can be rapidly changed with options like automatic mask change, automatic mask position setting, etc
- Various external attachments available to maintain a stable printing environment
Technical specifications
- Configuration type: Fully Automatic Screen Printer
- Conveyor type: 3-staged structure
- Printing speed: Max. 200mm/sec
- Alignment accuracy: ±12.5μm at 6 Sigma
- Stencil frame dimensions (L x W): 650mm x 550mm, 550mm x 650mm (optional)
- Squeegee type: Metal – L330mm, L250mm (optional)
- PCB size (L x W): 50mm x 50mm to 330mm x 250mm
- Machine dimensions (W x D): 1,300mm x 1,470mm
USP: Provides 6 Sigma levels of high quality printing
Contact details: Pradeep Tandon, Ph: +91-9810001345, [email protected], www.samsung-smt.com
Indian distributor: Samsung C&T India
Model: GPX-C, Brand: Fuji, Manufacturer: Fuji Machine Mfg Co Ltd
GPX-C, the latest solder printing machine from Fuji, has high accuracy and durability, and maintains consistent printing quality. It is easy to operate it and to use its various functions because of the icons and procedure layouts provided. The machine increases work efficiency by automating the processes involved.
Key features
- Provides high accuracy printing for large panels
- Reduces the total cost of printing by automating various functions
- Is enabled with a reliable and efficient changeover for solder, squeegee and mask
Technical specifications
- Configuration type: Fully automatic
- Printing speed: 1 – 200mm/second
- Screen frame compensation accuracy: +/-0.020mm (Cpk≥1.66) (under conditions at Fuji)
- Stencil frame dimensions: 750mm × 750mm, 750mm × 864mm, 736.6mm × 736.6mm; width can be adjusted by the millimetre from 550mm to 864mm
- Squeegee type: Double squeegee
- PCB load time: 7.5 sec (PCB loading/unloading, mark reading and screen correction are included)
- PCB size (L x W): 48mm x 48mm—610mm x 610mm
- Machine dimensions (L x W x H): 1220mm x 1650mm x 1475mm
USP: High accuracy printing for large panels
Contact details: www.fuji.co.jp
Model: SPR-45VA, Brand: DDM Novastar, Manufacturer: DDM Novastar Inc.
SPR-45VA is a recently launched stencil printer by Novastar that comes with the True Vision Assist feature for 10 times higher magnification. It is capable of axially aligning the stencil to the board down to 12 mil for an ultra fine pitch. It is used in various applications like prototyping, short to medium runs, high-mix product environments and for printing of micro ball grid arrays (BGAs), ultra-fine quad flat packages (QFPs) and chip-scale packages (CSPs).
Key features
- Supports up to 10 times higher magnification
- Provides accurate stencil-to-board alignment every time
- Enables ultra-fast and convenient loading and unloading for both single- and double-sided PCBs
- Capable of fine adjustment of x, y, z and theta positions, repeatedlyTechnical specifications
Technical specifications
- Configuration type: Automatic stencil printer
- Printing resolution: Down to 12 mil pitch components
- Stencil frame dimensions: 584mm x 584mm
- Squeegee type: Urethane or metal squeegee (machine supplied with two of each type of squeegee)
- Maximum print area: 406mm x 457mm
- Machine dimensions (L x W x H): 406mm x 762mm x 889mm
USP: High magnification for precise alignment of components
Contact details: www.ddmnovastar.com
Model: DEK NeoHorizon 03iX, Brand: DEK, Manufacturer: ASM Assembly Systems
DEK NeoHorizon 03iX is an accurate stencil printer launched in 2015. The company claims that this printer has a reliable and modular structure, providing flexibility and yielding high performance. It is used in high-mix contract manufacturing or in high-volume applications with high throughput requirements. It has an intelligent scalable area network (ISCAN) to scan any new configuration with just a few clicks.
Key features
- Comes with an interchangeable under-stencil cleaner (IUSC) for fast cleaning and more throughput
- Has been correctly configured for multiple tasks such as high speed production, stepped stencils, etc.
- Capable of providing a back-to-back configuration for dual track solutions
- Comes with the Hawkeye 750 camera to enable solder paste inspection
Technical Specifications
- Configuration type: Automatic stencil printer
- System alignment capability: +/-20μm @ 2.0Cmk (± 6 Sigma)
- Stencil alignment: Motorised (actuators); aligned on X- and Y-axis and rotation
- Squeegee adjustment: Motorised via actuators X, Y and Theta
- Squeegee pressure feedback: Software controlled, motorised with closed loop feedback
- Maximum print area: 510mm (X) x 508.5mm (Y)
USP: More reliability and efficiency for future-proof printing
Contact details: www.siplace.com
Model: AP1200, Brand: Autotronik, Manufacturer: Autotronik-SMT GmbH
Introduced in 2015, the AP1200 is a fully automatic, inline stencil printer for LED tubelight manufacturing with PCB sizes of up to 1200mm x 300mm. It is available at a global list price of around US$ 68,000. It has dual camera vision with dual squeegee, four-point ball screw driven parallel separation of stencil that makes it suitable for high volume manufacturing of LED tubelights.
Key features
- Has a strong and rigid mechanical design
- Comes with dual, independent print heads for increased throughput
- Has an advanced easy vision alignment feature with dual fiducial marks
- Allows fast and easy job changeover
- Has a unique clamping device for inline integrationTechnical specifications
Technical Specifications
- Configuration type: Fully automatic (stencil printer)
- Printing speed: 15-second cycle time excluding printing and cleaning
- Screen frame compensation accuracy: 0.01mm
- Screen frame dimensions: 400mm x 300mm to 1600mm x 630mm
- Squeegee type: Metal or polyurethane squeegees
- PCB load time: 15-second cycle time excluding printing and cleaning
- PCB size (L x W): Max. 1600mm x 300mm
- Machine dimensions (L x W x H): 2300mm x 1710mm x 1880mm
USP: Dual camera vision with dual squeegee, four-point ball screw driven parallel separation of stencil
Contact details: www.autotronik-smt.de
Indian distributor: EMST Marketing Pvt Ltd, Ph: 020-3250-1000, [email protected], www.emstonline.com
