Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1210212
FEBRUARY 2020 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 73 5. What is the most effective method for mixing a resin pack, what can potentially go wrong (and why)? First, remove the resin pack from the outer packaging. In the case of polyurethane and sil- icone resins, do not remove from the foil out- er pack until ready to use. Lay the pack out onto a flat surface and remove the centre clip. Use the clip to push the resin from one half of the pack to the other, then pick the pack up in both hands and mix in a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Place the pack back on the flat surface and use the clip to push the resin from the corners into the centre. Pick the pack up in both hands and continue mixing for a further minute. Re- peat pushing the resin from the corners into the centre of the pack, and then continue to mix for another minute to ensure that the ma- terial is fully mixed and is a uniform colour. Use the clip to push the mixed resin to the side of the pack with the angled seam. Roll the pack film up so that the pack fits into the hand. Cut the corner of the pack off and then tilt the pack to dispense the resin, apply- ing slight pressure as required to maintain the flow. If the material from the corners of the pack is not pushed into the centre of the pack, then unmixed material can be dispensed. If the resin is not mixed sufficiently, it may not cure, or have a patchy cure. In the case of filled resin systems, some sedimentation might have taken place over time, so it may take a little more mixing to ensure that the fillers are correctly distributed throughout the res- in. With the optically clear resins, when first mixed, the resin will appear hazy. This is per- fectly normal, and the haziness will disappear as the material cures. Conclusion I hope the points covered this month have been helpful. Look for my next column, where I'll cover more issues on encapsulation resins to get the best protection for your circuitry re- quirements with the least amount of aggrava- tion. In the meantime, please contact me if you have any questions. DESIGN007 Alistair Little is global business/tech- nical director—resins—at Electrolube. To read past columns from Electrol- ube, click here. Also, visit I-007eB- ooks.com to download your copy of Electrolube's book, The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to… Conformal Coatings for Harsh En- vironments, as well as other free, educational titles. During IPC APEX EXPO 2020, I-Connect007 technical editor, Pete Starkey sat down with Luc Maesen, director of Ucamco. Luc explains how AI has been applied in the automation of the CAM/CAD process, resulting in the compa- ny's iamcam system, which en- ables intelligence-aided manu- facturing designed to lo wer cost while achieving fewer errors and faster delivery. Click on the image to view this video. Intelligence-aided Manufacturing From Ucamco