Dan, Laser imaged mask, what does that cost compared to low cost "Conventional" mask? What kind of tolerance does that hold, this might be very useful for fine pitch boards. Thanks, Bob Kondner -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Skweres Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 1:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Matte Mask and SolderBalls From a Fabricators standpoint(I'm not speaking for all) we run into this scenario at times. We like to use LDI (laser direct image) mask for its accuracy especially with mask defined BGAs. Unfortunately our supplier of mask currently does not offer a matte option. Flip a coin. Dan S ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack Olson" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 12:12 PM Subject: [TN] Matte Mask and SolderBalls Greetings, Here's a situation I'm trying to resolve: An assembly partner requests matte soldermask to reduce the effect of solderballs. A fabrication partner wants an extra 3% for matte, Their default is semi-matte or semi-gloss (are those the same?) explaining that matte boards are slipsheeted throughout subsequent processes to reduce scratching. I'm tasked with trying to save my company the 3% increase on every board order. We have designs with both wave and reflow soldering passes. I've searched the last ten years of the Technet Archives for every reference to solderballs and matte soldermask. I learned a lot from previous posts (THANKS, TECHNET!) and many people have commented on the fact that solderballs don't stick to matte masks as much as they do to others. My first question is: Why doesn't EVERYONE use matte masks if it can mitigate a potential problem like solderballs? Secondly: Are minor soldermask scratches a rejectable condition? I couldn't find any reference to minor scratching in IPC-SM-840, IPC-6012 or IPC-A-600 onward thru the fog, Jack ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 ----------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 ----------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 -----------------------------------------------------