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.

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.

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.

Stencil printing process performance on various aperture size and optimization for lead-free solder paste

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (9-12) ◽  
pp. 3369-3379 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Rusdi ◽  
M. Z. Abdullah ◽  
S. Chellvarajoo ◽  
M. S. Abdul Aziz ◽  
M. K. Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Free ◽  
Lead Free Solder ◽  
Process Performance ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Aperture Size ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Free Solder

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.

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.

Ultra-Thin, Fine-Pitch Step Stencils For Miniature Component Assembly

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (DPC) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Phani Vallabhajosyula
Keyword(s):  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Print Quality ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
3D Measurement ◽  
Aperture Size ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Technology Applications ◽  
Component Assembly ◽  
Special Step

Mixed technology applications for Flip-Chip (FC) / SMT require special step stencil designs where flux is printed first for the FC and SMD paste printed next with a second stencil that has a relief pocket etched or formed in the FC area. Step stencils are used when varying stencil thicknesses are required to print into cavities or on elevated surfaces or to provide relief for certain features on a board. In the early days of SMT assembly, Step Stencils were used to reduce the stencil thickness for 25 mil pitch leaded device apertures. Thick metal stencils that have both relief-etch pockets and reservoir step pockets are very useful for paste reservoir printing. However as SMT requirements became more complex and consequently more demanding so did the requirements for complex Step Stencils. Electroform Step-Up Stencils for ceramic BGA's and RF Shields are a good solution to achieve additional solder paste height on the pads of these components as well as providing exceptional paste transfer for smaller components like uBGAs and 0201s. As the components are getting smaller, for example 0201m, or as the available real estate for component placement on a board is getting smaller – finer is the aperture size and pitch on the stencils. Aggressive distances from step wall to aperture are also required. Ultra-thin stencils with thicknesses in the order of 40um with steps of 13um are used to obtain desired print volume. These applications and the associated stencil design to achieve a solution will be discussed in detail in this paper. Various print experiments will be conducted and print quality will be determined by visual inspection and 3D measurement of the paste deposit to understand the volume transfer efficiency.

The Benefits of Flux-Coated Solder Preforms in a QFN Assembly Process

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 000827-000832
Author(s):  
Brandon Judd ◽  
Maria Durham
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Form Factor ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Circuit Board ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Circuit Board Assembly ◽  
Difficult Challenge ◽  
Small Form Factor

The use of bottom terminated components (BTCs) such as quad-flat no-leads (QFNs) has become commonplace in the circuit board assembly world. This package offers several benefits including its small form factor, its excellent thermal and electrical performance, easy PCB trace routing, and reduced lead inductance. These components are generally attached to PWBs PCBs via solder paste. The design of these components with the large thermal pad, along with the tendency of solder paste to outgas during reflow from the volatiles in the flux, creates a difficult challenge in terms of voiding control within the solder joint. Voiding can have a serious effect on the performance of these components, including the mechanical properties of the joint as well as spot overheating. Solder preforms with a flux coating can be added to the solder paste to help reduce voiding. This study will focus on the benefits of utilizing solder preforms with modern flux coatings in conjunction with solder paste to help reduce voiding under QFNs, as well as the design and process parameters which provide optimal results.

The behaviour of solder pastes in stencil printing with electropolishing process

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong‐Won Lee ◽  
Keun‐Soo Kim ◽  
Katsuaki Suganuma
Keyword(s):  
Circuit Board ◽  
Surface Finishing ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solder Paste Printing ◽  
Solder Mask

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effect of the electropolishing time of stencil manufacturing parameters and solder‐mask definition methods of PCB pad design parameters on the performance of solder paste stencil printing process for the assembly of 01005 chip components.Design/methodology/approachDuring the study, two types of stencils were manufactured for the evaluations: electroformed stencils and electropolished laser‐cut stencils. The electroformed stencils were manufactured using the standard electroforming process and their use in the paste printing process was compared against the use of an electropolished laser‐cut stencil. The electropolishing performance of the laser‐cut stencil was evaluated twice at the following intervals: 100 s and 200 s. The performance of the laser‐cut stencil was also evaluated without electropolishing. An optimized process was established after the polished stencil apertures of the laser‐cut stencil were inspected. The performance evaluations were made by visually inspecting the quality of the post‐surface finishing for the aperture wall and the quality of that post‐surface finishing was further checked using a scanning electron microscope. A test board was used in a series of designed experiments to evaluate the solder paste printing process.FindingsThe results demonstrated that the length of the electropolishing time had a significant effect on the small stencil's aperture quality and the solder paste's stencil printing performance. In this study, the most effective electropolishing time was 100 s for a stencil thickness of 0.08 mm. The deposited solder paste thickness was significantly better for the enhanced laser‐cut stencil with electropolishing compared to the conventional electroformed stencils. In this printing‐focused work, print paste thickness measurements were also found to vary across different solder‐mask definition methods of printed circuit board pad designs with no change in the size of the stencil aperture. The highest paste value transfer consistently occurred with solder‐mask‐defined pads, when an electropolished laser‐cut stencil was used.Originality/valueDue to important improvements in the quality of the electropolished laser‐cut stencil, and based on the results of this experiment, the electropolished laser‐cut stencil is strongly recommended for the solder paste printing of fine‐pitch and miniature components, especially in comparison to the typical laser‐cut stencil. The advantages of implementing a 01005 chip component mass production assembly process include excellent solder paste release, increased solder volume, good manufacture‐ability, fast turnaround time, and greater cost saving opportunities.

scholarly journals Ball Misplace Mitigation through Process Optimization of Advanced Leadframe Package

2020 ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Bryan Christian S. Bacquian ◽  
Frederick Ray I. Gomez ◽  
Edwin M. Graycochea Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Process Optimization ◽  
Parameter Optimization ◽  
Semiconductor Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Solder Ball ◽  
Development Phase ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Stencil Printing ◽  
Printing Process ◽  
Centered Ball

One of the challenging assembly processes in semiconductor manufacturing industry is stencil printing using solder paste as direct material. With this technology, some issues were encountered during the development phase of an advanced leadframe device and one of which is the solder ball misplace or off-centered ball. This paper, hence, focused on addressing the ball misplace issue at stencil printing process. Comprehensive parameter optimization particularly on the print speed and print force was employed to eliminate or significantly reduce the ball misplace defect at stencil printing process. With this process optimization and improvement, a reduction of around 96 percent ball misplace occurrence was achieved.

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