Lines
Paste Kit
Paste Kit focuses on solder paste from cold storage to the stencil printer, with attention on traceability, handling and line-side control. It suits South African SMT teams that need tighter paste discipline before components reach placement.
Fridge to stencil control points
Paste Kit deals with solder paste handling at the point where storage, thawing, printing and line-side discipline meet. It is written for electronics teams that already know the board and need tighter control over what happens before placement.
Paste performance starts with storage temperature, cartridge or jar ID, and a clear thaw record before the lid is opened. Gauteng winter mornings, Durban humidity, and power interruptions all affect how long paste sits out and how printing should be checked. Teams running fine-pitch work usually need stricter timing around mix, bead size and wipe frequency than a general assembly line.
Record the first paste issue before operators adjust pressure, speed or stencil cleaning. A simple card at the printer can hold thaw time, open time, batch number and expiry so the next shift does not guess. That habit helps when bridging, insufficient deposits or slump appear later in the run.
What the paste kit covers
Expect guidance around storage conditions, thaw practice, printer setup checks and operator records that belong at the machine. The aim is to control what happens before placement, where many repeat defects begin. Good paste handling often shows up as steadier deposits, cleaner apertures and fewer line arguments about whether the fault started at print.
Link Paste Kit to the board record and the print process before changing reflow or placement settings. Check labels on refrigerated stock, confirm the active batch at the printer, and note any paste returned to storage under site rules. SMT line enquiries should name the board type, the placement volume and the machines already on the line.
- Thaw time logged at line side
- Printer settings checked against paste type
- Batch and expiry captured clearly
Site conditions that affect paste
Cold-chain discipline matters when paste moves through OR Tambo freight, local couriers or shared receiving bays before it reaches the line. In Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, dry winter air can change bead behaviour during long setups, while coastal sites must watch condensation when chilled containers are opened too early. Smaller production rooms also need a clear rule for where unopened and in-use paste are kept during shift changes.
Humidity influences stencil underside cleaning, paste spread and how often print quality needs verification. Dust around older industrial areas can contaminate open containers and printer surfaces if lids and covers are left off too long. During load-shedding or generator changeover, note exactly when paste was removed from controlled storage and when the printer stopped.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Details worth sending with enquiries
Include paste brand, alloy, powder size and pack format, plus the printer make and stencil aperture concerns. Add what defect is visible on the board, whether it appears at first print or later, and what timing rules the site currently follows.
Photos of paste deposits, stencil condition and storage labels are more useful than broad fault descriptions. When records are needed for QA or a customer file, keep the paste sheet with the job traveller and the first-off print check.
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