Yes Graham, there are washable spacers available from several sources. We used them extensively in the past with mixed results. I will point out the problems I have experienced with them: The ones we used were brittle and occasionally broke prior to wave soldering. This resulted in unnecessary rework and a tendancy for operators to over-inspect boards prior to wave. They are tiny and a pain to put on the leads. Way to much labor involved. They washed off in the in-line cleaner, resulting in increased waste and maintenance on the cleaner. I would really suggest you consider setting up a component forming operation to handle this. Most parts commonly requiring standoff can be formed using a couple of relatively inexpensive machines. You might also consider revisiting lead to hole diameters from a PCB design perspective. Also recheck the packages available on your parts, many styles are available with standoffs built into them. Finally, I would ask just why a component needs to standoff the board. You may find a lot of "because thats the way we've always done it." Best of luck. Steve Tucker AlliedSignal Aerospace (785) 838-5116 >---------- >From: COLLINS, GRAHAM[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] >Sent: Monday, November 03, 1997 12:03 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Mechanical standoff > >Good Day Technet! >In wavesolder attachment of some through hole components, we have to provide >a temporary standoff to keep the part off the board surface. Currently we >are doing this with bits of wire or other mechanical means, which are then >removed after wavesolder. Some components we keep off the board with a >washable solder masking material, but this is not a precise or quick method. >Is there such a thing as a preformed standoff that will dissolve when the >assembly is washed, that would be put on the lead before insertion into the >board? > >Thanks! > >Graham Collins >Process Engineer, >Litton Systems Limited, Atlantic Division >(902) 873-2000 ext 215 > > ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ##############################################################