Hi All! The subject has come up here about mass lead trimming systems. From what I've learned, they have their place. But in our situation, I have the opinion that they aren't warranted here. We do a lot of class-3 electronics, have hardware (screws and whatnot from connectors) that hang below the lead length requirements. Many of the requirements on the asssembly drawings of products we build, still call out MIL standards, even though they are obsolete, we are still obligated to build to these standards...those that build product according to these standards, and have tried to deviate, or change, from what is documented on these standards know what a task that is...it isn't going to change. So, in my opinion, mass lead trimming systems have no place here. There are too many things that call out extra work that will need to be done because of these systems. The J-STD's call out that if lead trimming is performed after wave solder, then the joints should be either re-reflowed, or inspected under 10X to ensure that there has been no fractures... I've also heard that these systems need METICULOUS maintenance. If they aren't maintained perfectly, they will cause major problems. Just want to hear from any of you that have direct experience with these systems.. My position is that you either prep PTH components so that lead length requirements are met after soldering, and/or you make the adjustments that are available on your auto-insertion machines so that you meet lead length requirements...if you have to trim after wave solder, then either you haven't specified the proper component prep, or you need to adjust the cut and clinch on your auto-insertion equipment...I come the school that you can do things before wave solder that keeps lead length requirements within specifications, and not require mass lead trimming afterwards. So with that being said, what opinions are out there about mass lead trimming systems? As always, all ya'll are the best... -Steve Gregory- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------