Not
All Ribbons Are Created Equal !!! As you're aware, electronic
manufacturers' production processes vary widely when it comes
to process conditions, types of solder and soldering processes
used, as well as fluxes, washes and cleaners. Thermal transfer
printed labels react differently to these conditions with greater
or lesser degrees of success (which can also be influenced by
the brand of thermal transfer printer chosen).
When
properly matched with the complementary ribbon, Polyonics' Polyimide
and Kapton label materials give superior performance across a
wide range of different fluxes, saponifiers, cleaners, and solvents.
Not all the ribbons printed on the appropriate polyimide label
or other bar code label material survived all the 30-50 solvents
tested; however, not all the solvents are used by any individual
customer. The list of ribbon manufacturers below is not all inclusive.
It represents those companies who have submitted ribbons for evaluation
on our materials, in environments simulating "the real world".
Ribbon
manufacturers are introducing new ribbons frequently. Moreover,
the manufacturing processes employed change frequently, so laboratory
test results are always lagging behind developments in the field.
In ALL cases, we urge that the polyimide label printed with each
thermal transfer ribbon, as appropriate, be tested thoroughly.
To see which ribbons have been evaluated with specific
label materials in our testing laboratory, click on each of the
logos below:
Polyonics,
Inc., does not sell or endorse ribbons from specific ribbon companies.
Our recommendations are based solely on Polyonics testing methods
and procedures and are subject to revision without further notice.
The ratings for each ribbon/label combination are based on Polyonics
Laboratory tests using a Zebra90xi thermal transfer printer. Please
call us today for specific matching information.
Just
as we do not promote or endorse a specific ribbon, neither do
we promote or endorse any specific thermal transfer printer.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Certain new "environmentally friendly" cleaners and
rework solvents provide especially hard environments which may
destroy the printed image of labels that have not been heated
in the soldering process. XF 541, and XF 565 have been developed
for use in these applications.
Depending on the specific "pesky solvent", solder paste
remover, or other unique rework solvent, the following ribbons
may be tried:
