Basically, SMT steel mesh can be classified into three types based on their manufacturing and processing methods, namely: chemical etching process, laser cutting process, and electroplating process.

These are differences in production methods, but the initial steps are basically the same, such as customers providing ready-made PCB circuit boards, scanning and drawing them into production files; Either directly provide drawings (such as PCB design files or Gerber files that can be processed by computers) to the SMT steel mesh manufacturer, and then the engineering department of the SMT steel mesh manufacturer will carry out pre production design processing, produce finished product files suitable for final processing, and then take them to the production department for production.

With the development of SMT steel mesh, more than 95% of steel mesh in the SMT surface mount processing industry is now made by laser cutting. Next, let's briefly introduce the three production methods and their advantages and disadvantages of SMT steel mesh:

1. Chemical etching: Apply a layer of acid resistant adhesive on the steel plate and remove the adhesive at the required opening to expose the steel plate. Use acid to corrode this steel plate and form an opening. This type of steel plate is not very effective in use.

2. Laser cutting: It is very simple to use a laser to directly drill holes in the areas that need to be opened. This type of steel plate is most commonly used and relatively cheap, although most mainland China still has a price of 200.300 or even higher.

3. Electroforming: This type of steel plate is formed by electroplating the inner wall and chamfer at the opening based on laser engraving, making the inner wall of the opening very smooth and conducive to tin plating. This type of steel plate is very expensive and is not commonly used unless there are special requirements for the manufacturing process.

Share some practical experiences! If you need SMT steel mesh, it is best to purchase it according to your actual situation. If the opening is simple and does not require precise components (including 0.5MM and below ICs, 0201CHIP materials, etc.), then chemical etching can fully meet your needs.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of laser steel mesh compared to other ordinary steel mesh?

Advantages: Compared to etched steel mesh and electroplated steel mesh. Laser SMT steel mesh production is simple, fast, high-precision, and easy to use, with a moderate price. The quality and effect of laser steel mesh are better after electric polishing. At present, the vast majority of SMT surface mount processing in the market uses laser steel mesh.

Disadvantages: The thickness is single and cannot be used to make stepped steel mesh. The irregular shape opening treatment for rounded corners and chamfers is not perfect enough.

The classification of laser steel mesh can be divided into two subcategories: laser solder paste steel mesh and laser red adhesive steel mesh.

Of course, with industry competition today, using laser cutting for drilling is the trend, and the advantages are naturally very obvious. The quality and production cost are low, so why not do it!