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Products

Speedline Technologies has released Benchmark Operating Software version 1.6 for the MPM Accela printer.

New options include:

Integration of Grid-Lok board support tooling within hardware and software.
StencilVision is now a standalone option for customers to add this bridge prevention tool on printers that are in-line with Paste AOI systems.
An upstream bar code reader enables bar code capture on either the top or bottom side of the substrate, and the storage of that unique number with the SPC data; enabling data tracking and more exact recordkeeping.
A temperature and humidity sensor option captures and displays data, storing it in the SPC file for further analysis.
RheoPump option operation is enhanced, allowing quick change from pump to blades and vice versa for rapid changeover.

The release also broadens fiducial recognition capability, integrates online Help and increases the number of user wizards and templates.

Speedline Technologies, speedlinetech.com

DownStream Technologies is shipping BluePrint for PCBs Release 1.0. The software helps users quickly create the documentation that drives PCB fabrication, assembly and inspection. The first shipment of the product included sales to a cross-section of the PCB industry including PCB design and engineering groups, PCB prototype manufacturers and contract manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe.

Development began over 3 years ago. “We see BluePrint as major milestone in our product development strategy to automate the PCB release process,” said Rick Almeida, one of DownStream’s founders. “By working closely with PCB designers we had learned they face a significant challenge in trying to post-process their designs for successful manufacturing. Not only did they need to generate CAM outputs, but they also needed a way to collect and manage the myriad of data files that are needed to build a PCB assembly. By delivering BluePrint Release 1.0, combined with our flagship product CAM350, we are realizing a major milestone in our product strategy. Our customers now have the ability to create manufacturing tooling aids such as Gerber and NC files, as well as Fabrication Assembly Drawings and Parts Lists and deliver them in a single, electronic package to manufacturing,” said Almeida.

BluePrint uses the available PCB design intelligence to automatically create and link unlimited PCB views and details resulting in a detailed, accurate documentation package. Documentation packages contain all the data necessary to build, view and archive the final product anywhere, anytime.

“The creation of accurate PCB manufacturing drawings is often overlooked as an important aspect of the PCB design process. With the introduction of BluePrint this area of concern has been completely solved,” said Martin Davies, a PCB Designer in the UK who participated in the beta program. “BluePrint gives us an efficient tool that will enable us to provide consistent, thorough and accurate PCB manufacturing documentation.”

DownStream Technologies, downstreamtech.com

Cookson Electronics’ ALPHA OM-338 Series solder pastes can enable a smooth transition to lead-free SMT assembly. Customers say this Pb-free solder paste can print as well or better than current Pb-bearing technology. It is said to deliver consistently uniform print deposit volume, thus overcoming print deposit volume variability. It also performs well in challenging applications where paste volume variability increases as print feature sizes become smaller.

“The limiting factor in solder paste printability is the ratio of aperture wall area to the area of the aperture opening. When solder paste has more affinity for the walls of the stencil aperture than the pad being printed, you have a significant print failure mechanism,” said Mitch Holtzer, Global Products Manager for solder paste. “ALPHA OM-338 Series has low print volume variability with .3 mm circles and .45 mm pitch qfp pads using 125 mil stencils, even with print speeds of 200 mm/sec. That performance can be reached using type 3 solder powder.”

Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials, cooksonelectronics.com