Mechanical stencil foil tensioning

Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion.

Thanks, Joe

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| Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion. | | Thanks, | Joe | Joe: Don't limit your search to that "certain company." The market is littered with foil frame suppliers.

IIT (Proframe) 916.852.8044 fax 8172 Alpha Metals (Tetra Frame) 408.562.2033 fax748.9552 PNC (Accu-Frame) 973.284.1600 fax1925 http://www.pnconline.com sales@pnconline.com

After buying the frame, the foils are 1/2+ the price of a standard stencil. You need to know how you plan to store the foils and how to keep from whacking a finger off. I think they're great for prototyping and short run work. TTYL Dave F

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| | Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion. | | | | Thanks, | | Joe | |

| Joe: Don't limit your search to that "certain company." The market is littered with foil frame suppliers. | | IIT (Proframe) 916.852.8044 fax 8172 | Alpha Metals (Tetra Frame) 408.562.2033 fax748.9552 | PNC (Accu-Frame) 973.284.1600 fax1925 | http://www.pnconline.com sales@pnconline.com | | After buying the frame, the foils are 1/2+ the price of a standard stencil. You need to know how you plan to store the foils and how to keep from whacking a finger off. I think they're great for prototyping and short run work. TTYL Dave F | Joe We use the DEK Vector mount system and have done for 2 years now. Typically I have at least one new screen a week. I change my socks more often than that though! The DEK system relies on a comb of slots on all 4 edges of the foil, these are tensioned by teeth on the frame and tensioned by a series of springs in the frame. To remove the foil, an airline is attached to the frame, this inflates a bladder that forces the teeth inwards and the foil comes off. There is no air in the bladder once the foil is attached so leaks are not a problem. With regard to reliability, in two years we have had 2 bladder failures, in each case a small leak occurred first and we were able to contact DEK for a spare whilst ours was repaired. Cost of repair was �100 sterling. The foils come in a neat cardboard "envelope" that prevents operators from slicing thier fingers on the sharp foil edges. The also provide an excelent storage media as they can be hung on a clothes rail with the part number on the edge of the envelope. I would estimate you can get about 5 foils in the same place as one screen. Another advantage is turnaround, all the time we were using mesh, we were returning frames to our supplier for stretching to ensure that they were ready to turnaround our screen orders quickly. By using a foil we can get a screen back the same day.

Please note we are UK based and as such have good access to DEK. I know they have a capability in Gerrmany and believe they may also have one in the States. I also think I read somewhere that they licenced the technology from ALpha, so it is likely that the tetra frame is the same thing. Good luck with your search and if you need any more information just let me know

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| Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion. | | Thanks, | Joe | Joe We have been using a bi directional tentioning system for 4 months. We are currently printing down to 0.020" with no problems

Terry

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| Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion. | | Thanks, | Joe | Hi Joe, the DEK Micromount System described by Mr. Stringer is sold in N. America by Alpha Metals under the name Tetra. You can find a complete description of the system at www.alphastencil.com. There have been a number of safety, handling and durability improvements in the last year. It is the fastest, most reliable system available. Good Luck.

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| Has anyone used the mechanical stencil foil tensioning system from certain company that eliminates using stencil frames and epoxy & mesh? Any comments on whether it's worth looking into? We go through product revisions like we go through clean socks and this system sounds pretty good to us. I'm contacting the manufacturer but would like to hear your professional opinion. | | Thanks, | Joe | Laser Cut SMT stencils with Re-usable ACCUFRAME

PNC Inc. is a quality manufacturer of LASER CUT SMT STENCILS. To make laser cut stencils affordable, PNC Inc. has developed a unique Re-Usable frame called " ACCUFRAME � " (Patent Pending). By eliminating the secondary mounting process of the conventional stencil, a laser cut stencil can now be priced competitively with chem-etch technology. What is ACCUFRAME�"? The concept behind ACCUFRAME� is that it is Re-Usable with equal foil tension on all sides. ACCUFRAME � is designed to quickly load and unload your stencil foil off line in a very short time frame. ADVANTAGES OF ACCUFRAME � 1. Storage space (no wasted floor space with conventional mounted frame) 2. Shipping costs (we ship only the foil, no added weight from the frame) 3. Eliminates debonding (no mesh) 4. Supplied to our customers at no charge. 5. Adjustable foil tension PNC loans these frames to every one of our customers. We loan as many "ACCUFRAME �" as required for your production. We also assume full responsibility to service them at no cost to you. In case, any of the "ACCUFRAME �" becomes unusable, a replacement is sent to you immediately.

Frame Sizes 12x17 Bolt Pattern (1/4-20@30.00 & 18.00 on center). 20x20 Bolt Pattern (1/4-20 @ 21.00 & 18.00 sq. on center).

Cleaning process No different than conventional stencils

Guarantee Life time Guarantee

Screen Printers Fits most popular screen printers either directly or with an adapter

Discounts Discounts are available for larger quantity blanket orders. On your first order 20% discount off the listed prices will apply.

Availability All standard sizes in stock

Stencil Products Solder paste stencils are offered in the following thickness: From 3-20 mils (with half mil Increment).

Standard Data Editing Step and repeat Change pad geometry Global or Selective Reductions Glue Dot Creation

Process File Formats-Gerber (274X or 274D), HPGL, DXF 100% laser Cut Inspection Reports available upon request All foils are single level Electro Polish available upon request Engraved fiducial eliminates the possibility of epoxy filled fiducials from falling out

Delivery Standard 2 days: Data and instructions in by 5:00 eastern std. time 1 day: Data and instructions in by 4:00 eastern std. time at no extra cost. Same day: Data and instructions in by 10:00 A.M. eastern std. time at no extra cost.

ADVANTAGES OF LASER CUT STENCILS

1. Smooth internal pad walls(<= 3�m) 2. Aperture consistency reduces dpm�s 3. High Pad positional accuracy. 4. Stencil to PCB registration (caused by film distortion) 5. No chemicals � Environmentally friendly process. 6. Drastic reduction in print rejects 7. Clean and exact printing image of the solder paste 8. Fine-pitch screen <= 250�M can be released without problems

Quality Overview? We at PNC strive for excellence in quality. Our laser stencil fabrication process has minimal routing sequences that reduce manufacturing errors. Such errors as mesh stretching, mesh adhesion to frame, gluing foil to mesh, mounting foil upside down, mesh emulsions and chemical etch tolerances are now taken out of the formula. With all of the secondary processes eliminated, we can now direct more time and energy towards engineering and customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions Q. How do we store the foils? A. There are 4 methods for storage. a. We can provide a job organizer envelope which is reinforced to protect the foil from damage. These organizers also have side pockets for job related paper work. You can slide the organizer into your existing stencil rack. If need be, you may slide multiple organizers into one stencil slot to reduce your storage. b. PNC can also supply giant vertical filing cabinets. You can file foil sizes up to 25" x 38". c. We also can supply our customers with horizontal filing cabinets. These slim-line steel cabinets can store foils up to 47" x 36". d. Another popular method is to hang the foils. Each stencil foil will hang by itself in its own transparent bag. The storage units come in two styles, wall mount or stand-alone. Q. How do you price laser cut stencils? A. We have a flat fee pricing schedule. We feel we can expedite our stencils to the customer's benefit using this method of pricing. Q. Do I have to purchase ACCUFRAME from PNC ? A. No, PNC will loan ACCUFRAME free of charge to our customer with the first stencil order. After first order, PNC will ship only foil to you. We will loan you more than one frame if you necessary.

PNC Web site Calvin Switzer 115 East Centre St Nutley, NJ 07110 973-284-1600 ; Fax: 973-284-1925 E-mail:stencil@pnconline.com

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