EMRFD Message Archive 10354

Message Date From Subject
10354 2014-10-06 17:42:37 Chris Waldrup Ham to do SMT work
Hi Don,

It was me, KD4PBJ. 
I'd be happy to help you out, just let me know.
I have 14 years of experience as a SMT rework technician and can do parts down to 0201 size. 

Chris Waldrup
SMT Solutions
KD4PBJ
Tracy City, Tennessee 

Sent from Mailbox
10355 2014-10-08 03:44:17 peter_dl8ov Re: Ham to do SMT work
0201 size components, that's 0,6 x 0,3mm and 0,25mm high. An interesting challenge! I can see how resistors that small could be manufactured but how do they make capacitors that small? I suppose that inductors are out of the question but I am willing to be proved wrong.

Peter DL8OV
10356 2014-10-08 12:41:15 arfghans Re: Ham to do SMT work
0201 is as small as our most skilled assembler can do by hand, and that is fairly heroic as far as I'm concerned. The smallest standard commercial parts today are 01005 (0.4 x 0.2 mm) and we sometimes use those in microwave assemblies. The latest automated equipment handles them pretty well, though there is a moderate amount of "loss" in handling. R, L, and C are all available in that remarkably small package, but of course the range of values is limited especially for L and C.

Years ago, I visited the AVX factory in Myrtle Beach where they made something like 5 billion SMT capacitors per year. 0402 was just coming out and I couldn't believe how small they were. Fascinating processes that they have. And every part was individually tested on HP RLC meters.

Gary, NA6O
10357 2014-10-09 03:10:04 Chris Waldrup Re: Ham to do SMT work
Yes the 0201's are really tiny!
My previous employer was a wireless  company and they were always pushing for the tiniest form factor products. We got a cellular board down to just above postage stamp size. 
I use a 1/128" tip for the 0201's. 

Chris
KD4PBJ


Sent from Mailbox