A Study of the Aperture Filling Process in Solder Paste Stencil Printing

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianbiao Pan ◽  
Gregory L. Tonkay
Keyword(s):  
Flip Chip ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Area Ratio ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Surface Mount ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Main Indicator ◽  
Advanced Packaging

Abstract Stencil printing has been the dominant method of solder deposition in surface mount assembly. With the development of advanced packaging technologies such as ball grid array (BGA) and flip chip on board (FCOB), stencil printing will continue to play an important role. However, the stencil printing process is not completely understood because 52–71 percent of fine and ultra-fine pitch surface mount assembly defects are printing process related (Clouthier, 1999). This paper proposes an analytical model of the solder paste deposition process during stencil printing. The model derives the relationship between the transfer ratio and the area ratio. The area ratio is recommended as a main indicator for determining the maximum stencil thickness. This model explains two experimental phenomena. One is that increasing stencil thickness does not necessarily lead to thicker deposits. The other is that perpendicular apertures print thicker than parallel apertures.

Developments in Stencil Printing Technology for 0.3mm Pitch CSP Assembly

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 (1) ◽  
pp. 000502-000508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Whitmore ◽  
Clive Ashmore
Keyword(s):  
Form Factor ◽  
Area Ratio ◽  
Transfer Efficiency ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Solder Pastes

As electronics assemblies continue to shrink in form factor, forcing designers towards smaller components with decreasing pitches, the Surface Mount assembly process is becoming increasingly challenged. A new “active” squeegee printing process has been developed to assist in the stencil printing of solder pastes for next generation ultra fine pitch components such as 0.3mm pitch CSP’s. Results indicate that today’s accepted stencil area ratio rules, which govern solder paste transfer efficiency can be significantly pushed to extend stencil printing process capabilities to stencil apertures having area ratios as low as 0.4. Such a breakthrough will allow the printing of ultra fine pitch components and additionally will assist with heterogeneous assembly concerns, to satisfy up and coming mixed technology demands.

Stencil Printing Process Guidelines for 0.3mm Pitch Chip Scale Packages

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 000569-000573
Author(s):  
Mark Whitmore ◽  
Jeff Schake ◽  
Clive Ashmore
Keyword(s):  
Form Factor ◽  
Area Ratio ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Aperture Size ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
New Process ◽  
Electronic Assemblies

With the form factor of electronic assemblies continuing to shrink, designers are being forced towards smaller, more complex components with decreasing interconnection pitches. As a consequence, the Surface Mount assembly process is becoming increasingly challenged. For the stencil printing process, todays accepted stencil area ratio rules, (which dictate what can or cannot be printed), need to be significantly pushed to extend the printing process for next generation ultra -fine pitch components. With aperture geometries shrinking, anything which can influence solder paste transfer efficiency has to be considered. New process technologies such as ultrasonic squeegees have emerged in recent years to assist the process with some degree of success. However, something which is often overlooked in terms of stencil design influence is that a square shaped aperture, size for size, has a volume which is 21.5% than its circular counterpart. In a process where quite literally every solder particle that can be printed is becoming significant then this fact can be utilized to the process engineer's advantage. In this paper, the merits of stencil aperture shape, in conjunction with ultrasonic squeegees are investigated with the purpose of developing stencil printing guidelines for ultra-fine pitch components such as 0.3mm pitch CSP's.

Electrolytic Solder Deposit for Next Generation Flip Chip Solder Bumping

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (DPC) ◽  
pp. 000671-000707
Author(s):  
Stephen Kenny ◽  
Sven Lamprecht ◽  
Kai Matejat ◽  
Bernd Roelfs
Keyword(s):  
Flip Chip ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Electrolytic Deposition ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Solder Bumps ◽  
Chip Attachment

Electrolytic Solder Deposit for Current methods for the formation of pre-solder bumps for flip chip attachment use stencil printing techniques with an appropriate solder paste. The continuing trend towards increasing miniaturisation and the associated decrease in size of solder resist opening, SRO is causing production difficulties with the stencil printing process. Practical experience of production yields has shown that stencil printing will not be able to meet future requirements for solder bump pitch production below 0.15 mm for these applications. This paper describes a novel approach to replace the stencil printing process by use of an electrolytic deposition of solder. In contrast to stencil printing, use of electrolytic deposition techniques allows production of solder bumps with a pitch below 0.15 mm and with a SRO below 80 μm. Methods for production of electrolytic solder bumps based on pure tin as well as alloys of tin/copper and also tin/silver are shown and in particular a method to control the alloy concentration of electroplated tin/copper bumps. Test results with both alloy systems and also pure tin bumping are presented together with comparison of the advantages and disadvantages. The general advantages of replacement of stencil printing by electrolytic deposition of solder bumps are shown and in particular the improvement of bump reliability and the potential to significantly decrease costs by yield improvement.

The Impact of Stencil Printing Upon Assembly & Reliability Of 0.3mm Pitch CSP Components

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 (1) ◽  
pp. 000667-000674
Author(s):  
Mark Whitmore ◽  
Jeff Schake
Keyword(s):  
Form Factors ◽  
Preliminary Test ◽  
Process Window ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Electronic Assembly ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Technology Standard ◽  
The Impact

Abstract With the continual shrinking of electronic assembly form factors, designers are being forced towards smaller, more complex components with decreasing interconnection pitches. As a consequence, the Surface Mount assembly process is becoming increasingly challenged. For the stencil printing process, this means that historically accepted stencil aperture area ratio design rules, (which dictate what can or cannot be printed), need to be significantly pushed to extend the printing process for next generation ultra -fine pitch components. As a result, a major study has been undertaken looking at several different aspects of the stencil printing process, and their impact upon the assembly and reliability of 0.3mm pitch CSP components. In a preliminary test, stencil printing factors such as stencil aperture size and printing technology (standard squeegees vs ultrasonically aided active squeegees) were investigated. Data showed that the active squeegees provided a significantly larger process window. Subsequently, components were assembled using a range of solder paste volumes printed with both standard and active squeegee technology. The components assembled using an active squeegee process exhibited higher assembly yield, and also extended reliability when subjected to thermal cycling.

Analysis of Solder Paste Release in Fine Pitch Stencil Printing Processes

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Rodriguez ◽  
D. F. Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Main Process ◽  
Print Quality ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Release Process ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Advanced electronics packaging technologies such as chip scale packages, fine pitch ball grid arrays, and flip chip are pushing solder paste stencil printing to the limit. In order to achieve solder print deposits of the sizes required for emerging electronic packaging technology, a rigorous understanding of the process is required. This paper seeks to expand our understanding of the physical characteristics of stencil printing specifically focusing on the solder paste release process based on experimental and analytical approaches. First, designed experiments were conducted to identify the main process variables affecting final print quality. An in-situ measurement system using a high speed imaging system monitored the solder paste release process. Based on experimental observations, different modes of solder paste release and their corresponding mechanisms were identified. A model was developed to predict print quality for fine pitch applications. The proposed model was experimentally verified showing good agreement with measured values for fine pitch and very fine pitch printing. It was found that the cohesive and adhesive forces acting on the paste tend to govern the release process rather than the viscous and inertial forces.

Electrolytic Deposition of Fine Pitch Sn/Cu Solder Bumps for Flip Chip Packaging

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (1) ◽  
pp. 000729-000734
Author(s):  
Stephen Kenny ◽  
Kai Matejat ◽  
Sven Lamprecht ◽  
Olivier Mann
Keyword(s):  
Copper Alloy ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Solder Bump ◽  
Electroless Nickel ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Electrolytic Deposition ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Solder Bumps

Current methods for the formation of pre-solder bumps for flip chip attachment use stencil printing techniques with an appropriate alloy solder paste. The continuing trend towards increased miniaturization and the associated decrease in size of solder resist opening, SRO is causing production difficulties with the stencil printing process. Practical experience of production yields has shown that stencil printing will not be able to meet future requirements for solder bump pitch production below 150μm for these applications. This paper describes latest developments in the electrolytic deposition of solder to replace the stencil printing process; results from production of 90μm bump pitch solder arrays with tin/copper alloy are given. The solder bump is produced with a specially developed electrolytic tin process which fills a photo resist defined structure on the SRO. The photoresist dimensions determine the volume of solder produced and the subsequent bump height after reflow. Investigations on the bump reliability after reflow are shown including copper alloy concentration at 0.7% and x-ray investigation to confirm uniform metal deposition. The self centering mechanism found in the bump production process during reflow is presented and the capability to correct photoresist registration issues. The solder bumps are shown as deposited onto an electroless nickel/gold or electroless nickel/palladium/gold final finish which serves also as a barrier layer to copper diffusion into the solder bump. Discussion of further development work in the production of alloys of tin/copper together with silver are given with first test results.

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