7. Dispensing Solder Paste

Load the File

Clamp the board on the platform so that the top layer is facing upwards and load the following paste files:

Locate Pads

Like you did previously:

  1. Clamp the board

  2. Mount the probe

Since we moved the board to print on the back side we need to realign the V-One and locate the designated pads we want to dispense solder paste on:

  1. Click the MOVE TO PAD button to start the pad location process.

  2. Use the arrow keys to move the printer to the approximate location of the pad that is highlighted in the print preview. You do not need to align it perfectly just yet.

  3. Click LOWER to drop the probe to the surface of the board.

  4. Use the arrow keys to once again adjust the position of the probe. This time, position the probe in the center of the highlighted pad

  5. Click MEASURE to confirm the pad location.

  6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the second highlighted pad.

Take your time! If the alignment is off, the solder paste will not print in the right spot.

After locating the pads, the V-One now has a pretty good idea of where the board is located.

Validate Pads

Before we get to printing the solder paste, use this step to make sure that the pad alignment is accurate.

Click on any pads in the print preview, and the printer will go to the center of the pad. If you notice that the position is off, press the BACK button and repeat the Locate Pad steps.

Print

1. Calibrate first

  1. Select a few small pads close to the edge of the board by clicking and dragging or shift clicking.

  2. Click START to begin printing. Adjust the solder paste flow using + and - until the pads are completely covered, but not overflowing.

  3. If there is too much paste, wipe the solder off of the selected pads and decrease the flow.

Hint: Keep repeating these steps until you are happy with the amount of solder paste being deposited.

2. Print solder paste

When you are happy with the amount of solder paste, select the remaining pads and press print.

Now that we have dispensed solder paste we can move on to populating the board with our components and soldering!

Solder paste can be good for up to 8 hours, but the best practice is to reflow as soon as possible after dispensing.

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