>Mornin' Technetters,
>       I am forwarding some questions that we have on the labeling of your
>     PC boards. We are looking at updating or labeling methodology. Please
>     pass on your learning experiences in this area!
>
>     To PC board assemblers:
>
>     *How do you mark your boards?
We use thermal transfer polyimide labels. We mark with a scannable and
human readable serial number, and a human readable partnumber.

>     *Do you serialize your boards for your process?
Yes, as we track all cards through a Floor Control System, providing
process control information.

>     *Do you use linear or 2D barcode symbology?
Linear, as the amount of information required for our application doen't
warrant going to a 2D format. We use code39, which is scannable by a wide
range of scanning systems.

>     *Do you use print and apply label systems or laser mark systems? What
     type of problems have you encounterd with either system?
We use print and apply label systems. For card marking the greatest problem
we have had is that some smaller cards have little space to place a label,
requiring us to compress the barcode label as much as possible. This
results in print alignment problems causing tops or bottoms of labels
overrunning the printable area (we just discard those labels). Care must
also be taken to not place labels topside over vias/PTHS due to the
possibility of flux entrapment from the wave solder process, leading to
potential corrosion.

Regards Evan

Evan Jones
Manufacturing Engineer
Bluegum Technology Pty Ltd
PO Box 609, Wangaratta, Australia, 3676
Ph: 61 3 5720 2539     Fax: 61 3 5720 2412
Internet:  [log in to unmask]

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