Design and Development of Vacuum Workholders for SMT Solder Paste Printing

This project focused on the design and development of custom vacuum workholders used during the solder paste printing process in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing. The primary objective was to provide stable and repeatable support for printed circuit boards (PCBs) during stencil printing by using a vacuum-based holding system. These fixtures were designed to securely position the PCB, minimizing movement and deflection to ensure consistent solder paste deposition and improve overall print quality. The development process involved creating custom fixture geometries for different PCB designs while considering vacuum channel distribution, component clearances, board support, manufacturability, and compatibility with SMT printing equipment. Each workholder was tailored to meet the specific requirements of the product being manufactured, ensuring reliable positioning without interfering with the printing process. Through this project, I strengthened my experience in fixture design, precision mechanical design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and CAD modeling for production environments. It also enhanced my understanding of SMT manufacturing processes and the importance of designing tooling that improves repeatability, product quality, and manufacturing efficiency.