All excellent points, Steve, thanks! Robert [sewing tags back onto his pillows] ____________________________________ In a message dated 12/8/2006 4:30:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Hi Robert! As an assembler, it just makes a lot of things easier having silkscreen on the board if there's room. Programming changes, test trouble-shooting, documenting rework, etc.. We build many boards that don't have room for reference designators, but I always advocate silkscreen if there's room. -Steve Gregory- ____________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Lazzara Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 3:22 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Silkscreen Outgassing? I think the substrate itself is far more hygroscopic than either the mask or the lettering ink. Unless the inks aren't fully cured. But to your point: It's quite possible to have a polymer mask and a UV letter screen. Or combinations including epoxy inks. So out-gassing, if any, would not necessarily have to be the same for the solder mask as for the silk screen. But I'm curious: Why letter screen at-all? - Are these boards being hand assembled? - Is the lettering functional for repair purposes? Most of the boards we fab today are so dense you can't even see the post-assembly board. So unless you're hand-popping parts why risk ink-on-pads -- with or without out-gassing? Think I'll go tear some tags off of pillows... ROBERT LAZZARA VP, Business Development T: (800) 560-9457 F: (800) 878-5566 (y servicio de mensaje espaņol) E: [log in to unmask] W:_ www.CircuitConnectUSA.com_ (http://www.circuitconnectusa.com/) Circuit Connect, Inc. ISO Certification : UL Listed : RoHS Exports : IPC Member : SMTA Member --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------