Mydata Roadshow Promotes Solder-Jet Printing

With its 2010 roadshow, Mydata is bringing a live demonstration of the benefits of solder-jet printing to prospective users. The roadshow uses a vehicle equipped with a complete and fully operational SMT production line, so that visitors can see the latest solder jet and pick-and-place technology in action. They are invited to bring samples of their own circuit boards and CAD data, which the Mydata team will use in the demonstrations.

The roadshow presentations are tailored to meet the needs of those who are attending, but typical benefits that will be demonstrated include jetting paste into cavities, solving problems relating to package-on-package, pin-in-paste and QFN components, and reducing costs by eliminating the need for stencils. Those attending the roadshows will also see how working with a completely software-driven SMT line allows manufacturers to take an order in the morning and deliver finished boards the same afternoon.

In addition to the MY500 solder-jet printer, the Mydata roadshow vehicle is equipped with the latest MY100 DX pick-and-place machine (34.000cph). This combines high throughput with placement precision and fast product changeover. A vapour-phase facility completes the vehicle's installation and allows the boards to be soldered.

Verderflex Dura Pump Ensures Bubble-Free Printing

Peterson Packaging, a Danish printing company, has selected the Verderflex Dura peristaltic pump to gently handle water-based ink. Transferring ink from storage containers to the rollers on printing machines was proving problematic for Peterson. Air diaphragm pumps were originally responsible for the job, but had proved unable to handle the water-based ink gently enough.

As a result, bubbles formed in the ink, ruining the packaging, creating excess waste and adding expense. To resolve the problem, the company decided to look for a gentle-action pump to ensure bubble-free ink. The chosen design also needed to be both cost effective and sufficiently compact to fit into the limited space available. With the Verderflex Dura peristaltic pump, ink is completely contained within the pump's hose, which is compressed by a rotating roller.

On restitution of the hose, the resulting vacuum draws in more liquid, creating a gentle and accurate pumping process. The design eliminates any danger of cross contamination or spillage. The Verderflex Dura is claimed to provide a 70 per cent smaller footprint than similar pumps. This was an important attribute for Peterson, which required five pumps to fit in a tight space at the end of each print line. As well as overcoming space constraints, the Verderflex Dura pumps are now said to be delivering performance benefits for Peterson.

In addition to transferring bubble-free ink, the pumps are simple to clean and maintain. They can run dry without fear of damage and downtime is reduced as the only wearing part is the hose. Colour change is also quick and simple, according to the company. Peterson has now installed a total of 15 units into its printing process, according to the company's engineering manager.