Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1243344
MAY 2020 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 67 curve of the dots before they drop on the PCB; we are not able to wait while depositing. We are constantly moving and shooting, but we are still able to be so precise and accurate. This is due to very high competence in the software, combined with the very robust and reliable hardware and the unique jetting tech- nology. Johnson: Undoubtedly, you work very closely with the solder paste suppliers. As a jetting technology company, what are the issues or the challenges right now with solder paste materials? Jargon: That question hits to the point I described before, we offer a combination of hardware, software, and the ejector technol- ogy. But the fourth element missing is the sol- der paste. Not all pastes are jettable, so we had to work intensively together with all relevant solder paste manufacturers to get high-qual- ity jettable paste. Not all paste suppliers have been able to provide jettable paste. We have recognized that the suppliers need to have per- fect control of their paste production process. They cannot allow any process deficiencies; there is no way to compromise when making a perfect printing solder paste. We have started working in the early days in joint cooperation with the solder paste manufacturers. We even had to hire chemi- cal experts to talk with them in the same lan- guage and ensure that the solder paste works in perfect harmony with our ejector technol- ogy. When everything goes so fast and has to be so precise, there are also certain risks that need to be eliminated. The ejectors can clog, for example, and the material gets stuck in the ejector. There's a risk of having little satellites when you print solder paste. This means when you print, the paste may sputter a bit, and then you have satellites, meaning tiny dots, which you do not want to have. There's a risk that the paste has the wrong viscosity and that you observe voids. We have learned these things can have a negative impact on the quality; therefore, we decided we had no other choice but to work very closely with our partners. In the meantime, almost all solder paste man- ufacturers have recognized that the trend goes more and more toward providing jetting paste. They all work very closely with us and have learned how to improve over time. I can give you an example. We worked with one of the paste suppliers; they provided us with paste out of their R&D lab, and when printing, the result was perfect. Then, they developed larger batches, and we suddenly observed problems. The ejectors clogged. We recognized that the mixing process of larger batches had been different from the mix- ing process of the small batches in the R&D labs. The process was not perfectly in con- trol and had an impact on the paste and print- ing quality. Our partner readjusted the mix- ing process for bigger batches very fast, and we came back to perfect printing results. The solder paste manufacturers are very important partners for us to make sure that the printing process deliverers the highest accuracy and perfect quality. Mycronic jet printer demo screen.