Jeff, It all depends if you depanelize before or after assembly. But it seems obvious you chose panelization to improve assembly efficientcy. However, you must investigate if the assemby will need a backup jig, due to card thicknesses, Type I assemblies (SMT 2 sides, typical for Smart cards), etc. Route too much material away and not leave enough webbing (tab) and you minimize the rigidity of the array. To improve this rigidity I recommend you score the card profiles versus routing. Depanelize the completed assemblies by using a dual pizza cutter (Moetteller.....something like that) or similar(I can get the information at home). Monitor the applied stresses with a strain gage and oscilloscope. Typical Smart cards have components near card edges, due to realestate. These components may be near the score path and could possibly induce solder joint fractures. You got the picture. There's more to this, but I'll stop here. Call if need more info John Gulley Compuroute Inc. Dallas, TX 214-340-0543 [log in to unmask] > From: "Baldwin, Jeff A" <[log in to unmask]> > To: TechNet <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: ASSY: PCMCIA Board Depanelizing > Date: Mon, 30 Sep 96 09:01:00 DST > > Dear TechNet, > > We are looking into setting up a PCMCIA assembly line. We will probably > produce low to medium volumes. What kind of depanelizing process would work > best? We currently use a perforated tab method on regular boards. Will > this method be acceptable for the thin PCMCIA boards? > > Thanks for your help. > > Jeff Baldwin > [log in to unmask] > > *************************************************************************** > * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * > *************************************************************************** > * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * > * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * > *************************************************************************** > > *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * ***************************************************************************