SMT soldering- LPKF or DDM Novastar - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LAPSKRFC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2019, 12:16:17 am
content: Dear all, I'm in the process of setting up an RF and mm-wave lab. I need to buy a set of machines for solder pasting, picking and placing the components, and an oven for soldering. The smallest footprint that I may use is 0201. I have two options: LPKF (LPKF ProtoPrint S for Solder Paste Printers, LPKF ProtoPlace S, and LPKF ProtoFlow S) and DDM Novastar (SPR-45, LE40V, GF-12HC-HT). I dont mind about the price but I just wanna buy the right machine. Could you please let me know which option is better? I would appreciate if you share with me if you have any suggestion other than these two companies.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2019, 03:17:19 am
content: I have a GF-12.It is a nicely built oven.Rather than having thermal lagging between inner and outer skin it incorporates a layer of refractory material which helps maintain thermal performanceQuite good for small low thermal load boards.I would recommend you do not go for a small, 600mm long conveyorised oven. It is too short .The longer the oven the more uniform the thermal profile across the board.If You do go for a batch oven see to it that it is well made and includes a convection fan.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2019, 03:51:11 am
content: IF you are going to prototype, perhaps an entry level Vapour Phase will be a really good option for you.If you are doign 0201, you need somethign that is not a clam shell operation, it needs to lift the stencil away parallel to the pcb.

author: mairo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2019, 05:46:04 pm
content: If money are not much of a problem, then for the oven as mrpackethead said, you can try a vapour phase bench top oven, altho the normal convection/IR type ovens you will be able to use for curing as well, where I am not sure you can do this with the vapour phase.For the stencil the LPKF option I think is better for the prototypes as there are already available variety options for it, but it is a manual process so operator will have to be well trained and consistent. The SRP-45 (I work with SRP-45) has an automatic squeegee and I think can handle a larger frames. If you feel enthusiastic you could also try using a bench top robot with jet valve for the dispensing:http://www.nordson.com/en/divisions/efd/products/jet-dispensers/p-jet-solderplus-valvehttp://www.nordson.com/en/divisions/asymtek/products/fluid-dispensing-systems/dispensemate-d-593-595-benchtop-fluid-dispensing-systemFor pick and place (I have both here with me in the lab, the LPKF Protoplace S and the LE40V). The LPKF is a manual machine good for fast prototypes, or 'short' but probably slower runs based on the component count and footprint varieties. I am not sure if it is suitable for 0201 chips, I guess if you can find fine enough dispensing needle suitable for it, then it could work out. The operator will hate you tho. The Le40V is an automatic machine, that you will have to setup and run, not sure how good it is with 0201 (website says it can do it) as we have only ran it with 0603s at smallest. I would also look at Mechatronika M10V as a lower cost option to the LE40V, lower cost does not lower quality, but if you are in the US, you may get better support from the DDM guys, but I think we are looking at almost twice the cost? Also consider the available feeder count if you go for the automatic setup, do not really need this for the manual option.