Abatec Electronic AG classifies itself as an E²MS-provider, offering not only high-end-electronic production services, but the entire development of electronics and software with all design requirements as well. Improvement in all concerned processes is almost daily business to the company’s employees. Early in 2008, Michael Graf, quality management, and Hannes Ehrenreich, SMT-management, reviewed the solder paste handling. Abatec uses high quality solder pastes in production, but found some variations in their production quality from time to time. After detailed analysis, Michael Graf found that these variations are a result of the solder paste softening prior to the printing process.The paste manufacturers mainly give, more or less, clear recommendations about storing and handling. But in regard to softening, they give only some small advice to mix the paste for a few minutes. Therefore, big mistakes can occur, confirms Graf. This was why Abatec searched for a solution to their problem.During this search, Graf and Ehrenreich discovered the Malcom SPS series, manufactured by Malcom Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan, and provided by GPS Technologies for European markets.
The SPS-x employs a pseudo-planetary motion where the solder paste cartridges rotate slowly at either ends of an arm which spin rapidly. The resulting centrifugal force causes the solder paste within the container to repeatedly fold over itself, thereby mixing and softening the paste. It works with an interplanetary motion and prevents variations in mixing. The SPS series, in effect does all of this without even opening the solder paste jar. The paste will always be mixed in the same way, with the same rotations, in closed containers, without any influence of the surrounding conditions. The human factor becomes obsolete, as well as the air and humidity conditions of the production area. The ready softened solder paste is always, in every season, the same consistency and composition. The solder paste can be used directly from the fridge (5°C). After a maximum of 10 min. softening, the paste will be at room temperature. A heating element is not necessary because the friction of the metal powder of the solder paste heats it up. This heat up of the paste is limited to max. 5°C over room temperature, says Juergen Seitner from GPS Technologies: „We tested this with a lot of various solder pastes.“With the Malcom solder paste softener SPS-1 Abatec Electronic AG has stabilized their quality at the Mariapfarr facility. Meanwhile, they bought a second SPS-1 for the facility in Regau as well. The benefit of the automatic solder paste softening is not only the quality improvement. As an add-on, it makes it very easy to implement this process in the ISO-9001, the automotive standard ISO-TS16949 and also in the medical technology standard EN ISO13485, says Hannes Ehrenreich. Abatec is currently adjusting its quality management system according to those international standards.
http://www.abatec-ag.com , www.gps-technologies.com
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As an E²MS provider (Electronic Manufacturing Service with R&D) Abatec Electronic AG is distinguished from the standard EMS. In 2008 the turnover was approx. 18 m Euro. The R&D investment was 1.9 M Euro, which emphasizes where Abatec has its main concern: Entire development of electronics and software, with all design requirements complementing high-end-electronic production services. Founded in 1991 as a 2-man-company, Abatec now employs more than 190 people in their facilities in Mariapfarr and Regau. Abatec is continuing its expansion path. The company site will be expanded by 6,100 m² whereof 1,845 m² will be production area. The total cost of the extension will be 5 m Euros.
The easiest way to understand how the solder paste softener SPS series works, is to observe its operation from several viewpoints. Imagine yourself reduced in size and sitting in the center of the centrifuge of the unit. As the centrifuge turns, you feel no centrifugal force, but you can see the housing containing the solder jar spin around in front of you. As you walk away from the center, you will feel the centrifugal force become greater and greater. Standing in front of the spinning housing, you feel the same force that is acting upon the solder paste inside the jar. Let’s remove the solder paste and put you inside of the jar. The centrifugal force causes you to be pressed to the wall. Since the jar is also spinning, you begin to tumble -much like clothes in a dryer. Take into consideration that the housing is mounted at an angle, and so as you tumble, you find yourself rolling towards the top, and then toward the bottom. What is happening is that you are being mixed and shaken up at the same time. This is what happens to solder paste in the SPS series. In addition, since the solder paste is so viscous, this mixing and shaking motion tends to raise its temperature. A solder paste put into the SPS series can be mixed, shaken and heated, -all at the same time.
Mit der Einführung des automatischen Lotpasten-Softener SPS-1 von Malcom erreicht die österreichische Abatec Electronic AG eine deutliche bessere und gleichmäßigere Qualität bei der Verarbeitung von Lotpasten. Das macht sich in der Gesamtqualität der Fertigungsprozesse nachhaltig bemerkbar.
Avec l’introduction de l’émollient automatique pour pâte à braser SPS-1 de Malcom, la société autrichienne Abatec Electronic AG obtient une qualité nettement améliorée et plus homogène dans le domaine du traitement des pâtes à braser. Ce qui profite durablement à la qualité globale des processus de fabrication des composants électroniques.
