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www.us-tech.com


September, 2017


Essemtec’s Technology Advances NASA Space Missions


By Steve Pollock, Vice President, Essemtec USA S


ince 1960, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has pro- vided NASA with mission-criti-


cal design, development and integra- tion of space systems. The center de- velops technology for space opera- tions, exploration and other scientific missions. MSFC also contains an electrical


fabrication and assembly facility that provides PCB assembly and cable fab- rication up through chassis assembly and integration. The electrical shop has the capability for both through- hole and surface mount component as- sembly. Along with PCB and cable as- sembly, conformal coating, staking and electrical potting processes are performed. Other capabilities include fabrication of flight and ground sup- port equipment, as well as fiber optic cable harnesses. Located in Huntsville, Ala-


bama, MSFC is the U.S. govern- ment’s civilian rocketry and space- craft propulsion research center. One of the largest NASA field centers, MSFC’s first mission was to develop the Saturn launch vehicles for the Apollo space program. Marshall has been the agency’s lead center for space shuttle propulsion including external tanks, science payloads and related crew training, International Space Station (ISS) design and as-


sembly, and computers, network and information management.


Upgraded Pick-and-Place Over the past decade, NASA


has used Essemtec’s SP200AV solder


place parts as small as 0201 chips up to 50 mm (2 in.) ICs. Most recently, NASA’s MSFC acquired one of Es- semtec’s FOX 1 pick-and place sys- tems, replacing a previous genera- tion system. The FOX 1 is aiding MS-


rocket that will travel to Mars. FOX is the first machine in its


class with linear motors and a miner- al cast frame, providing exceptional speed and accuracy, suiting it for use in low-volume production environ- ments. FOX measures 0.9 x 1.1m (2.9 x 3.6 ft) but can accept PCBs up to 406 x 305 mm (16 x 12 in.). The FOX has a small form factor that makes it very efficient, taking up less space and re- sulting in floor layout flexibility. In designing FOX, special em-


phasis was placed on making product changeovers fast and simple. A large number of intelligent feeders allows many different components to be im- mediately available for hot-swapping during production. The company’s in- tuitive ePlace software enables fast teach-in of components and CAD da- ta import. The FOX includes a touchscreen


A rocket engine undergoes tests at Marshall Space Flight Center.


paste printer with automated align- ment and its FLX2010V automated pick-and-place machine, which can


FC in the building of engineering test boards, prototyping, building boards for the space station and for a new


interface as well as setup check clearance, further enhancing its easy-to-use design. The cost-effective FOX handles pick-and-place and dis- pense applications on one platform. It uses low power and a single phase, which translates into low installation and running costs.


Space-Age Partnership For decades, advances in space


Continued on next page


In all likelihood, your wave soldering machine is not responsible for your wave solder quality issues or the messy work area


Most problems


much flux where it causes problems. Unl now, how flux was applied to each joint. Previously,


stem from not geng enough flux where you need it and geng too it was not possible to accurately control the only opon was to increase flux over


the enre board, and this causes a new set of adverse consequences. Process engineers were forced to magnify one problem to solve the other and create a mess in the process.


InterFlux ICSF-Select is an Intelligent Fluxer. It gives process engineers the freedom to independently tailor the volume, pressure, and locaon of flux jeed at each joint. They can add more flux for increased acvity or more pressure for deeper penetraon. The flux is only applied where needed and does not migrate where it is unwanted. Improved quality and less mess – problems solved!


Resolve bridging Increase top-side fill Increase flux acvity Use flux with up to 40% solids Eliminate top-side raining Stop wicking Prevent flux from migrang beyond the board Reduce flux residue drascally Decrease flux consumpon by 65-95%


www.mtaautomaon.com | 704-579-4459 04 579 4459 | inf @i o@mtaautomaon.com


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