Press-fit Zones
With its press-fit zones, Diehl Metal Applications (DMA) provides an innovative, solder-free connection technology for meeting the demands of the automotive supply industry. Depending on requirements, we offer both standard and special surfaces for press-fit zones. The special surfaces include Advanced Indium, Advanced SilverTin and Advanced Nickel.
New in our product portfolio is the innovative contact technology SKEDD. SKEDD is a simple and reliable addition to soldering and press-fit terminations, offering a direct connection technology for circuit board terminals.
- What is press-fit technology?
Press-fit technology is the insertion of component connection pins – especially from connectors or single contacts – into the metallized holes of a printed circuit board (PCB). The contact between the press-fit pin and the wall of the hole is gas-tight and is characterized by good conductivity. The condition is that the press-fit pin has a larger diagonal than the hole diameter on the PCB. The deformation of the press-fit pin and the printed circuit board creates a positive connection.
- Product applications
In general, press-fit zones are used by the customer in the following applications:
- Single pin insertion
- Edge connectors
- Overmolded plastic housings
- Advantages
Press-fit technology is an innovative and highly reliable solution, offering considerable advantages compared to conventional soldering technology:
- No soldering errors, no flux problems
- No need for additional washing
- No thermal loads on the PCB or electronic components
- Quick and cost-efficient PCB assembly
- Double-sided PCB assembly possible
- Recycling by simply pressing out the pins
- Innovation for the automotive industry
While the majority of the components in the automotive industry are currently still processed using conventional soldering methods, the future definitely lies in press-fit technology. Contacts with a flexible press-fit zone are increasingly finding application in the automotive industry.
We manufacture press-fit zones for the automotive industry with material thicknesses of 0.4 mm / 0.6 mm / 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. Our press-fit zone types EPZ EE and EPZ EloPin can be used in PCBs with metallized holes according to DIN EN 60352-5 and according to customer specifications.
- Qualification
In our test laboratory, we carry out all major tests for assessing the press-fit connection. The scope of tests, the procedure and the characteristic values can be agreed upon with the customer, relevant to the application.
We offer the following tests:
- Visual and dimension inspections
- Insertion and push-out force
- Micro sectioning and analysis
- Contact resistance
- Rapid change of temperature (temperature shock)
- Climate sequence (cold, dry and damp heat, cyclical)
- Whisker test
- Etching technology
- Quality
We are committed to ensuring the quality of the press-fit zone. During serial production, continuous process monitoring is carried out using state-of-the-art camera systems and 3D measuring machines. One of the most important characteristics of a press-fit area is the deformation behavior during the insertion process (deformation curve) and the resulting force exerted on the hole wall. The deformation curve is determined and analyzed during production.
- News from the Schempp+Decker press-fit zones
The Industrial Working Group ‘Press-Fit Technology in OSP’ analyzes issues relating to the use of OSP plating for printed circuit boards. For the three basic press-fit zone types – EoN (Eye of Needle), SpS (Spring Shape) and CrZ (Cracking Zone) – the press-fit connection was assessed according to jointly defined criteria for the printed circuit board surface with chemical Sn plating and with an OSP finish. Members of the Industrial Working Group include press-fit contact manufacturers and printed circuit board manufacturers (Tier 2), including Diehl Metal Applications, automotive suppliers (Tier 1) and automotive manufacturers (OEM).
Further information on the test program and the results of the analyses may be found in the article “Einpresstechnik in Cu/OSP-Oberflächen – eine Variante mit Zukunft?” (press-fit technology in Cu/OSP surfaces – a promising alternative?), published in German in PLUS 5/2015.
DMA has in-house prototyping capacities using a multitude of existing tools. Prior to series production, it is thereby possible to produce sample parts with Schempp+Decker press-fit zones under near-series conditions and to align them to the special requirements of our customers.
During the product development stage, we specify the primary influencing parameters, such as prematerial, press-fit zone geometry and surface coating, and subsequently monitor these in series production. We provide advice and support to our customers at every stage of the project.
In our test laboratory, we can check and validate the important characteristic values according to DIN EN 60352-5. To do this, a range of testing and measuring equipment is available. The use of test or series printed circuit boards for determining and adjusting press-fit-zone parameters is possible.
