The thickness of SMT steel mesh is crucial for SMT manufacturers as it not only affects the SMT pass rate but also directly impacts the reliability and durability of products once they are launched into the market. Below, we present the classification of SMT (PCB) steel mesh thickness accumulated over the years and some tips for selecting the thickness.
Classification of SMT Steel Mesh Thickness:
- Steel mesh manufacturers typically stock steel sheets based on their commonly used thicknesses. Commonly used thicknesses include: 0.1mm, 0.12mm, 0.13mm, 0.15mm, 0.18mm, etc.
- Thicknesses ranging from 0.1mm to 0.15mm are commonly used for solder paste steel mesh fabrication, while 0.18mm is commonly used for solder resist steel mesh fabrication.
- Manufacturers specializing in precision steel mesh production may also stock more precise materials such as 0.02mm, 0.03mm, 0.04mm, 0.05mm, 0.06mm, 0.08mm, etc. These precision materials are mainly used for producing precision steel meshes.
How to Choose the Thickness of SMT Steel Mesh: The selection of SMT steel mesh thickness mainly depends on the minimum component spacing on the PCB board. Thinner thicknesses are used for smaller component spacings. For instance, if all components on the PCB board are relatively large, a thicker thickness can be used.
- For BGAs or ICs with a center pitch of 0.35mm, it is preferable to use a thickness of 0.08mm or thinner. If all components on the board have such small spacings, consider using a thickness of 0.06mm or 0.05mm.
- For BGAs or ICs with a center pitch equal to or greater than 0.4mm, a thickness of 0.1mm can be used (individual components containing BGAs are also recommended to use a thickness of 0.08mm). Similarly, the larger the components, the thicker the thickness used.
- For BGAs or ICs with a center pitch equal to or greater than 0.5mm, a thickness of 0.12mm can be used.
How to Clean SMT Steel Mesh: For solder paste steel mesh, Silman Tech’s steel mesh cleaning machine DEZ-C730 can be used. This equipment completely relies on compressed air as the power source, without the need for electricity, eliminating any fire hazards. With user-friendly design and one-button operation, cleaning and drying work can be easily completed.
