SMT steel mesh, in essence, is a very thin steel sheet. The specifications and dimensions of SMT steel mesh are generally fixed to match solder paste printers. However, the thickness of the mesh varies depending on the requirements, ranging from 0.08mm, 0.10mm, 0.12mm, 0.15mm, to 0.18mm, among others.
So, what is the purpose of SMT steel mesh? SMT steel mesh is primarily designed to facilitate the printing of solder paste onto circuit boards. Therefore, the SMT steel mesh is perforated with many holes. During solder paste printing, the solder paste is applied on top of the mesh, while the circuit board is placed underneath. Then, a squeegee (usually a scraper) is used to spread the solder paste over the mesh. The solder paste is squeezed through the holes in the steel mesh and adheres to the surface of the circuit board. After removing the steel mesh, the solder paste will be printed on the circuit board. In simple terms, the steel mesh acts like a stencil during painting, with the solder paste being akin to paint. The pattern needed is engraved on the stencil, and applying the paste on the stencil reveals the desired pattern.
As for cleaning SMT steel mesh, there are specialized cleaning machines known as “steel mesh cleaning machines.” Currently, most steel mesh cleaning is done using pneumatic steel mesh cleaning machines, while some personnel still use ultrasonic steel mesh cleaning machines. The difference lies in the former’s use of pure pneumatic cleaning methods, eliminating the need for electricity throughout the process to avoid safety hazards. Additionally, pneumatic steel mesh cleaning machines provide a more thorough cleaning for small holes compared to ultrasonic methods.
