PCB steel mesh, also known as SMT steel mesh, is a template made with laser cutting for surface mount technology (SMT) processes. Its primary function is to assist in the deposition of solder paste or adhesive onto a prepared PCB (printed circuit board). The ultimate goal is to accurately transfer the required amount of solder paste or adhesive to the designated areas on the empty PCB board.
Why is a steel mesh necessary in the SMT process? Below is a brief explanation that may help you understand!
In simple terms, SMT steel mesh serves the purpose of applying semi-liquid or semi-solid solder paste onto prepared PCBs. Most modern circuit boards, except for power boards, utilize surface mount and SMT technologies. These PCBs have numerous surface mount pads, without through-holes. The holes on the steel mesh precisely match the electronic component mount pads on the PCB. Solder paste is applied to the PCB using horizontal printing through the holes of the steel mesh. Then, electronic components are placed on top of the solder paste using a placement machine, followed by reflow soldering. Reflow soldering ensures better adhesion of electronic components to the mount pads on the PCB. This process significantly reduces instances of solder bridging or poor solder joints. SMT steel mesh is particularly suitable for densely populated PCBs or those with fine-pitch ICs or BGAs. However, solder paste costs are relatively high. The quality of solder paste directly affects the soldering quality on the PCB. The final product is the PCB assembly (PCBA) circuit board!
SMT steel mesh is typically cleaned using specialized cleaning equipment. Currently, one of the mainstream options on the market is the Silman Tech DEZ-C730 steel mesh cleaning machine. This machine is designed for cleaning various types of mesh boards used in the electronics industry, including SMT steel mesh, copper mesh, silk screens, micro-hole mesh, and wafer disks. The equipment operates entirely on compressed air, eliminating any risk of fire hazards associated with electricity. It features user-friendly design and one-key operation for easy cleaning and drying. This high-performance attrezzature per la pulizia operates fully automatically using compressed air, with low consumption of cleaning solution.
The SMT steel mesh process is indispensable in both PCB manufacturing and SMT assembly processes! For cleaning PCB steel mesh, it is recommended to use professional steel mesh cleaning equipment. If you have any questions, you can consult Silman Tech’s online customer service for detailed information.
