Bill Fabry wrote:
> 
>         Reply to:   RE>Problems on PCMCIA Assembly
> Bob:
> 
> PCMCIA edge connectors are double-sided, SMT straddle-mount type, typically
> installed in-line after solder paste applications (prior to pick-place) or as a
> 2nd operation after assembly of PCA.  They are equipped with alignment "bosses"
> that self-align the connector to notches in the PCB, making vision alignment
> unnecessary.  Standard SMT design rules should apply for the pad design and
> workmanship.  The major concern, from an assembly aspect, should be alignment
> of the connector's lateral center-line and the edge of the PCB.
> 
> As with any straddle mount connector, its degree of "sag" (angular misalignment
> of centerlines) is directly related to the contact shape from the connector
> housing to the contact area as it grips the PCB.  If the solder "tail" of the
> contact exits the plastic housing from the "outside" of the contact (away from
> the PCB) and the connector is NOT mechanically supported during reflow, the
> front of the connector can be allowed to droop downward during reflow, causing
> detrimental misalignment.  The PCMCIA spec is not very forgiving !   However,
> if the contact exits from the "inside" of the contact and the tail is long
> enough, it CAN "self-align"  laterally as well.
> 
> There is a hot-bar installation machine that is used by a lot of the PCMCIA
> memory card manufacturers (perhaps some of the other "Net Surfers" can fill in
> the manufacturer's name for me).  The board is manually placed in the machine
> VERTICALLY and the machine inserts the board into the fixtured connector and
> uses hot-bar reflow to mass solder the contacts (30-45 sec cycle time).  The
> same machine can be used to remove the connector just by heating the connector
> first and then extracting the PCA.  Presumably, IBM and INTEL are users of
> their add-on memory cards.
> 
> Hope this helps!
> 
> Bill Fabry
> [log in to unmask]
> --------------------------------------
> Date: 1/8/96 6:55 AM
> To: Bill Fabry
> From: Robert Willis
> 
> I am currently evaluating connectors for PC card application as well as looking
> at general problems during assembly of thin cards. I would appreciate any
> information that engineers may be able to provide to assist my project.
> My concerns are placement and vision alignment of connectors, any special
> design
> rules, connector packaging, reflow support, connector rework etc.
> 
> Bob Willis
> SMART Group
> 2 Fourth Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4HA. England.
> Tel: (44) 01245 351502
> Fax: (44) 01245 496123
> Home Page: http:// Still Not Available
> 
> ------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
> Received: by rainbow.rasterops.com with SMTP;8 Jan 1996 06:52:15 -0800
> Received: from ipc.org by simon.ipc.org via SMTP (940816.SGI.8.6.9/940406.SGI)
>          id BAA19912; Mon, 8 Jan 1996 01:00:50 -0800
> Resent-Date: Mon, 8 Jan 1996 01:00:50 -0800
> Received: by ipc.org (Smail3.1.28.1 #2)
>         id m0tZCkS-0000OAC; Mon, 8 Jan 96 02:16 CST
> Old-Return-Path: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 08 Jan 96 03:18:35 EST
> From: Robert Willis <[log in to unmask]>
> To: IPC <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Problems on PCMCIA Assembly
> Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
> Resent-Message-ID: <"A3ZpS1.0.bTA.0BDym"@ipc>
> Resent-From: [log in to unmask]
> X-Mailing-List: <[log in to unmask]> archive/latest/2168
> X-Loop: [log in to unmask]
> Precedence: list
> Resent-Sender: [log in to unmask]: Teka Interconnection Systems has a line of PCMCIA connectors that 
have the solder and flux applied to the solder tails of the connector.  
The connector is placed on the board in a secondary opperation, heat is 
applied with a hot bar or hot air.  You can contact Teka at their web 
site http://w3.bbsnet.com/teka or send me an E-mail at 
[log in to unmask]