Long Flexible Printed Circuit Fabrication
Solder Paste Printing, Placement, and Reflow, all are Surface Mount Technology (SMT) processes, which present demands that can benefit from the use of customized SMT reflow soldering fixtures and tooling, which can be called as SMT Pallet, Reflow Pallet, SMT Carrierand Reflow Carrier. In PCB assembly, the SMT pallet is necessary. And if you are working with flex circuit or rigid-flex PCB assembly, your process also absolutely requires it. There are a full range of tooling and fixtures, but this PCB blog only talks about Reflow Pallet.
No matter how you call it, the SMT carriers are designed to maximize your Surface Mount process efficiency, and they will prevent shaking and prevent components floating and shifting. One of the key advantages of double-sided surface mounting is the potential of populating both sides of the PCBs with surface mount components (SMDs). Double-sided SMT provides a two-fold increase in potential interconnection density and product density, this is different from High-Density Interconnection (HDI).
As a turnkey PCB and assembly manufacturer, Fuchuangke Technology offers a variety of SMT reflow soldering tooling solutions to improve the reliability, quality and cost effectiveness of surface mount processes. Full process SMT carriers support bare PCBs through all steps in the surface mount process. SMT tooling or fixture offers support and accurate location for assemblies with PCB outlines or that don’t meet standard conveyor widths. These carriers can also be used to manage difficult components that require alignment or thermal protection through the reflow process. SMT Pallets will reduce rework of boards, and increase the ease of manufacture.
SMT tooling, fixture, SMT Pallet, or Reflow Pallet, which is a special design fixture or tooling, can be used for solder paste printing, pick and place and reflow soldering, and the recommended thickness is always 4mm. If your PCB board does not have fiducials, we can add special fiducials with SMT reflow pallet and same can be used in laser cut stencil.
Advantages of SMT Reflow Soldering Pallet (/Carrier)
Our SMT Assembly Service offers full SMT & PTH pallets, fixtures and tooling that meet customers’ expectations. The SMT reflow soldering pallets /carriers are built around meeting today’s PCB assembly needs with a goal to design and build a solution that will support you:
- Highest yields with the largest process window possible to get enough heat transmission during reflow soldering.
- Easy to use tooling that will survive your manufacturing environment.
- Full automation of your PCB assembly manufacturing process to improve the work efficiency
- Fastest delivery of finished PCB assemblies to catch up marketing lunching time.
Precision tooling SMT pallet allows accurate placement of surface-mount components. Allows direct transfer to infrared reflow. Edge tensioning support allows positive PCB retention with no topside interference.
- Accurate, repeatable location of PCB
- Prevent distortion and support the board through printing, placement and reflow
- Required for flexible, rigid-flex and rigid PCB assembly processing
Application of SMT Reflow Soldering Tooling
Surface mount technology is the leading factor to driving higher circuit densities per square millimeter of a printed circuit board (PCB). Direct attachment of components and devices to the surface of circuit boards has enabled products with much higher circuit speeds, greater circuit density, and enables fewer external connections. These advantages have greatly lowered costs, improved performance and improved product reliability. These benefits come with challenges as any surface mount process engineer knows. Printing solder paste on diminishing pad sizes, placing smaller and smaller components, and reflowing entire PCB assemblies with their varieties of termination finishes and materials are just a few of the technical challenges that process engineers face every day.
We have proven experience with SMT on all types of PCB, including flexible circuits, which require a reflow carrier to ensure proper alignment through the reflow oven. Engineering the proper reflow carrier makes the job easier and more reliable for the customer. Of course, our reflow pallets can be customized for rigid-flex circuit boards and rigid PCBs.
SMT Pallet Material
We use the best raw material available in the industry to meet our customer demands. A superior material means better durability, sustainability and longevity, which is very important in high-precision electrical and electronic hardware application projects, especially for high-volume PCB assembly projects. The most preferred raw material of SMT pallet, SMT carrier, reflow pallet and reflow carrier nowadays in SMT PCB assembly industry is Durostone since it’s featured with light weight and low cost compared to aluminum alloy.
Durostone is manufactured by using Polyester, Vinylester, Epoxy- and modified Epoxy resins combined with glass fibers. Durostone can keep its mechanical strength, smoothness and original color when continuously used under the temperature of 280 celcius degrees (max. working temperature below 385 celcius degree 10~20sec). It’s applicable in ROHS applicant PCB assembly production line under high temperature continuously.
Data Requirements
Fuchuangke Technology is capable of interpreting the following data formats:
- Gerber: RS-274-D, RS-274-X
- NC Drill/Route: Excellon
- DXF
- DWG
- ODB++
- .HPGL – .STP / .STEP
- SolidWorks
- Pro Engineer
- Eagle files
The following are the general data files required for SMT pallets or Reflow Carriers development. Different PCB boards are processed differently. Providing us with all of this data will ensure that we have what is required for your application.
- Top & Bottom Silkscreen (GTO &GBO)
- Top & Bottom Solder Paste (GTP &GBP)
- Top & Bottom Solder Mask (GTS &GBS)
- Fabrication Drawing
- Drill Fabrication Layer Other Requirements:
- Height of components on the solder side of the PCB
- Height of components requiring hold downs
- Is any hardware present? If so, size and location
Quick Quote
Click the Quick Quote buttons below, you can turn to the different PCB quote pages. Just fill in the PCB specifications, upload Gerber files, BOM, Assembly Drawing and Pick-and-Place file, you will get quick quote of PCB board and PCB Assembly.
