Stencils having enhanced wear-resistance and methods of manufacturing the same
First Claim
1. A stencil, comprising a body having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture extending through said body from said first major surface to said second major surface, said at least one aperture having a side wall surface, wherein said side wall surface of said at least one aperture and at least one of said first major surface and said second major surface have a diamond coating thereon.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Stencils having enhanced wear-resistance consisting of a metal body, preferably fabricated from stainless steel, having a first major surface and a second major surface and a plurality of apertures extending through the metal body from the first major surface to the second major surface, and a diamond coating which is preferably applied to at least the top surface of the metal body, and to the side walls of the plurality of apertures. Such stencils are particularly useful for positioning solder paste in predetermined areas on contact pads of printing wiring boards. The diamond coating is preferably deposited on the stencil surfaces from a vapor phase of carbon-containing gases. By applying the diamond coating to the top and side wall surfaces of the stencil, improved wear-resistance is achieved, resulting in increased service life for the stencils.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A stencil, comprising a body having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture extending through said body from said first major surface to said second major surface, said at least one aperture having a side wall surface, wherein said side wall surface of said at least one aperture and at least one of said first major surface and said second major surface have a diamond coating thereon.
- 9. A stencil for positioning solder paste in a predetermined pattern on contact pads of a printed circuit board, the stencil comprising a body having a first major surface, a second major surface and a plurality of apertures extending through said body from said first major surface to said second major surface, said apertures each having a side wall surface, wherein said side wall surfaces of said apertures and at least one of said first major surface and said second major surface have a diamond coating thereon.
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23. A method of manufacturing a stencil, comprising the steps of:
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providing a stainless steel body having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture extending through said body from said first major surface to said second major surface, said at least one aperture having a side wall surface; applying a diamond coating to said side wall surface of said at least one aperture and at least one of said first major surface and said second major surface by a low pressure diamond synthesis process. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification