Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

ALPHA EF-8000 lead-free, no-clean wave solder flux technology is said to provide excellent first pass yields, worry free in-circuit testability and electrical reliability in both lead-free and tin lead wave soldering applications.

IPC rated ROL0, exceeds the Bellcore and JIS standards for electromigration and surface insulation resistance, as well as more stringent electromigration and bulk insulation resistance requirements from leading OEM's.

"ALPHA EF-8000...withstands the higher PWB surface temperatures required for successful lead-free soldering, but it is fully capable for use in standard tin-lead applications," said Mitch Holtzer, Global Product Manager at CEAM. "In addition, it can be qualified now for emerging lead-free requirements, and used in lead-free or tin lead production lines."

Low rosin content minimizes flux residue build up on pallets and wave soldering equipment normally associated with high (>10%) rosin flux formulas.

Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials, www.alphametals.com

Over 80 individual accessories in eight product categories and for all standard module widths will enhance Arlink's technical furniture offerings.

New items include Variable Angle and Packing Bench Shelving, Switchable 2/4 Bulb Lamp Fixtures, Reversible Tack and White Boards, Modular Data Beams, Steel Parts Bin and Pegboard Panels; and various Swing Arm accessories. Can be used with all product families.

All are forward and backward compatible with systems installed in the field and those shipping.

Arlink, www.arlink.com

Leica INS300 fits the demands of IC manufacturers for equipment with optimized price/performance ratio.

Designed based on the field-proven INS3300 inspection and review system, successfully used in production for almost four years and takes the increased price and cost pressure in the semiconductor industry into consideration. Provides manual inspection of 300 mm wafers. Can be integrated into 300-mm facilities for complete automation of the process flow, resulting in production runs of more than 150 wafers/hr.

Leica Microsystems, www.leica-microsystems.com

2200-087 Series flow-control valve starts or stops the flow of pressure-fed materials quickly and effectively. Has No-Drip carbide ball-end needle and hardened seat, designed to handle low- to high-viscosity and abrasive materials such as adhesives, sealants and lubricants. Controls the flow of fluid materials and chemicals in material-delivery and fluid-dispensing systems.

All-pneumatic, double-acting valve is ideal for pump and meter-system inlet and outlet fluid-flow management. Has 3/4"-NPT inlet and outlet ports and is rated for 4,000 PSI. Can be used with a fluid regulator to stop bypass flow and maintain down-stream pressure after closing.

Also used as a high-viscosity or high-flow dispense valve in automated, repetitive or high-speed dispensing applications, such as fixtured automation or robot-tool-mounted dispensing. May be mounted to fixed or movable tooling or brackets and activated by automation, hand or footswitch actuator.

Features hardened internal components and wear-resistant seals. Available in stainless steel for dispensing highly corrosive materials.

Sealant Equipment & Engineering, www.sealantequipment.com

AS5035, an 8-bit incremental magnetic rotary encoder for cost-sensitive industrial and automotive applications, is suited for use in human-machine interface applications, such as front panel switches, or as an alternative to optical encoder-based applications where dust or other particles could diminish reliability and accuracy.

Provides incremental quadrature A/B output signals and an index output signal. The index signal represents a mechanical reference point, called the zero position, which can be programmed by the user at the system assembly stage. Operation safety is ensured by continuous monitoring of the magnet presence and the optimal magnet position in the system.

Features 64 pulses per revolution on each of the two quadrature output channels, for resolution of 2.8°/step over a full turn of 360°. Failure detection monitors the magnet's placement during the operation. In case of a missing or loose magnet, the device instantly provides a warning signal.

Operates at rotational speeds up to 10,000 revolutions/min., at either 3.3 or 5 V, without missing any incremental pulses. The zero position can be programmed by the user. Operating temperature ranges from -40 to +125°C. Available in a lead-free SSOP 16 (5.3mm x 6.2mm) package.

Austriamicrosystems, www.austriamicrosystems.com

9300 Series equipment platforms offers omnidirectional, ultra-low-frequency vibration damping and automatic leveling while raising equipment only inches off the floor. Proprietary airmount system provides vertical isolation, while tri-filar pendulum assembly provides stable cradle support for horizontal isolation. The pendulum assembly eliminates the need for the resonance-generating corner lift brackets.

Platform stiffness is comparable to that of a 3" plate of solid steel at approximately one-third the weight and with more efficient damping — vibration isolation efficiencies at maximum load (up to 25,000 lbs.) can be as high as 98% for vertical natural frequency and 96% for horizontal natural frequency.

Standard platform is a rigid, lightweight, epoxy-laminated "sandwich" — a 2" composite layer between 1/2" top and bottom plates of corrosion-resistant steel.

Standard finish is black polyurethane, but can be finished with stainless steel or white epoxy powder coat. Available in custom sizes or shapes, with extra leg supports, and with cutouts or notches. Nonmagnetic platforms are also available.

Applications include vibration isolation for SEMs, TEMs, CMMs, steppers and mask aligners.

Kinetic System, Inc., www.kineticsystems.com