Afri: Since no information was provided on your current process it's hard to give you an objective critique on what to change. Let me give you some information that may help you. First you will not be able to keep mask out of all the holes with this type of equipment, although it can be minimized. Second, the mask in the holes of the outside edges on the panel is due to the physics and dynamics of sreen printing. Third, it is very important that the squeeges are parallel in all axisto minimize mask deposition in the holes. I will assume you are printing 18"X24" panels that are 0.062". If the panel size or thickness is different then you will have to make changes. 1. Use the smaller off contact blocks, typically 3/4". 2. Make sure the printing edge(not the flat edge face)of the front and back squeeges are parallel = to each other, and not crossed X. Even though you are using blocks to set these, a better way is to extend the squeeges out against each other with out screens or a board to verify this. Also the squeege angle should be set at about 30 degrees. 3. Independtly extend and check the front squeege then back squeege to make sure it is parallel - left to right of its printing head and shuttle track, not canted /. This can be further checked by placing a board between the two squeeges when they are extended at the same time. The board should be slightly raised out of and above the shuttle track about a 1/4". The panel should be directly above the shuttle bar and parallel to it. It should be true to X znd Y, not skewed or slightly rotated. If it is then your squeege extension bars and/or heads are not set right. 4. Orient the panel so it is in the 24" top to bottom, 18" left to right direction. make sure you set your shuttle stops so the panel is centered to the screen, not offset. You want to print as close to the "sweet spot" i.e. center of the screen as possible. 5. Use a 22" squeege(1-2" wider per side than the panel), squeege pressure 90psi fixed head, 80psi floating head; you can try backing this off as long as you don't get skipping of the print. Start with something around a 90 mesh screen at 20 newtons, you can go to a higher mesh count to lesen the deposit but make sure you don't get too thin or a starved print. 5. Start with a print speed around 2.5 ips you can go faster or slower to vary the deposit depending on the rheology of your mask. One word of caution, the Circuit Automation is a great machine but it seems like everyone out there is a little different. You know the old constant improvement creedo. So these are things we have found to work for us, yours may be "different". Regards Michael Barmuta Staff Engineer Fluke Corp. Everett Wa. 425-356-6076 On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 15:11:50 -0700 Afri Singh wrote: > From: Afri Singh <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 15:11:50 -0700 > Subject: [TN] DP-1500 (fwd) > To: [log in to unmask] > > HELLO . CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY DO WE GET SO MUCH INK BEING PUSHED INTO THE > HOLES ,ESPECIALLY ON THE CORNERS AND THE BOTTOM 2 INCHES OF THE PANEL ON > THE CIRCUIT AUTOMATION UNIT. > WE WERE TOLD TO MAKE SURE THE SQUEEGES WERE ALIGNED USING THE BLOCKS. THIS > HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND > MODIFIED THE UNITS THEMSELVES -CAN THEY SHARE THIS INFO > THANK YOU > > ################################################################ > TechNet E-Mail Forum 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's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. > For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 > ################################################################ > ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum 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's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################