Surface modification of solder paste stencils
AssigneeNewtech LLC
InventorsSteven Martin Johnson, Fraser Murray Shaw
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to surface modification of solder paste stencils to provide improved adhesion of a functional coating. The disclosed surface modifications include laser structuring, plasma treatments, and primers. Methods of using the solder paste stencils are further disclosed.
Claims27
A method of modifying one or more surfaces of a stencil, the method comprising:
- ablating the one or more surfaces with laser radiation;
- and
- wherein the step of ablating forms structures in the one or more surfaces or removes contaminants present on the one or more surfaces.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the stencil is a Surface Mount Technology (“SMT”) stencil.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the structures have a depth of about 1 micron or less.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein a working surface of the stencil is ablated.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more aperture walls of the stencil are ablated.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the structures on the one or more surfaces comprise a three-dimensional pattern.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation is swept across the one or more surfaces by moving a laser or by use of steering optics.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation is swept across the one or more surfaces by moving the stencil.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation comprises a wavelength of about 1064 nm.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation is focused to an area of about 1×10−10 m2 to about 5×10−10 m2.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation is generated by a pulsed fiber laser.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laser radiation is further used to form one or more apertures in the stencil.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising treating the one or more surfaces with a plasma treatment process.
The method according to any proceeding claim, further comprising the step of applying a primer layer.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of applying a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating.
A stencil formed from the method according to any preceding claim.
A stencil comprising:
- a working surface comprising one or more apertures;
- a plurality of micro-structures formed on the working surface;
- a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating bonded to the working surface;
- and
- wherein the micro-structures are regularly spaced apart in an orthogonal grid and have a depth of about 1 micron or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.