Product category:
PCB Assembly Equipment and Tools
News Release from: DEK | Subject: Setup verification and traceability
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 08 April 2005
Verification and traceability boost
print quality
Setup verification and traceability for screen printing automatically prevents setup errors to maximise screen printing productivity and gathers data for continuous improvement.
DEK has introduced setup verification and traceability for screen printing, which automatically prevents setup errors to maximise screen printing productivity and gathers data for continuous improvement Optional features also now allow manufacturers to achieve board-level traceability at the screen printing stage
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new tool includes software and hardware to automatically identify the stencil, paste and other setup variables as the machine is being prepared.
Verification then compares the actual values with those specified in the product file, and can be programmed to halt the machine before printing commences or generate a warning in event of an error.
The software supports 1D and 2D barcodes, and all data are recorded for later analysis, in formats compatible with popular packages such as Microsoft Excel.
The optional traceability module and conveyor-mounted barcode reader identify each board entering the machine and link the board ID with the setup verification data, which is stored on the machine's hard drive.
This delivers board-level traceability for screen printing, which is important as traceability data increasingly drives processes and compliance criteria in modern manufacturing, including established quality standards for automotive and medical markets, as well as customer certificate of conformity specifications.
Traceability also allows manufacturers to minimise product recalls and returns, and provides vital information to eliminate printing defects and isolate individual boards or assemblies where required.
In addition to recording all setup variables, further data including ambient temperature and humidity, operator identity and line identity is also gathered.
Data are accessible via a network connection or can be copied onto removable media, and can be used as input to statistical process control tools to drive quality monitoring and continuous improvement.
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