Dorset based, Tecan has developed manufacturing techniques which enable highly accurate and durable dummy component footprints to be cost effectively produced. These footprints are used to verify the accuracy of complex component placement machines - significantly improving yields through improved accuracy and reductions in expensive rework.

Placement, one of the most critical factors in the SMT process, is reliant on the accuracy of a complex machine to ensure alignment of the components with the PCB patterns. Conventional calibration techniques using standard dummy components,
to ensure machine accuracy, can be both expensive and prone to error - furthermore they normally allow only one placement before being consigned to the bin.

Tecan's solution provides hard-wearing and highly accurate footprints, electroformed in Nickel with tolerances down to just 5 microns (0.0002"). Total dimensional integrity, co-planarity and pitch accuracy are assured. These footprints have been designed for repeated use to ensure/maintain optimum placement accuracy.

Typically for a given PCB application, a selection of footprints, as opposed to a total PCB population would be used. The range of available formats include complex, fine pitch QFP's, PLCC's, discrete components and BGA plates.

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