Smiths Silmat Test Socket Quick guide

Copyright© 2016 | Version 1.0
Silmat®Test Socket
Assembly & Maintenance Instructions
Test Socket with SC4 or SC5 Contact Set
Recommended Tools
► Socket drawings for components’ terminology and appropriate stack up sequence.
► Allen wrench or screwdriver appropriate for socket mounting screws.
► Straight edge tool or flat-tip tweezers for easing contacts on/off the guide pins.
► Fiberglass brush or stiff wire brush for cleaning and removing oxides from Contact Set
and PCB.
► Soft animal hair brush or Post-it® Note with light adhesive for gently removing debris and
contaminants from Silmat®.
► Compressed air for blowing debris off Contact Set, Silmat® and PCB.
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Copyright© 2016 | Version 1.0
Assembly, Removal & Storage
Assembly of Contacts to Socket
► Install/Remove the Contact Set:
► Note keying orientation patterns, tooling holes and/or side with gold plated mounting
arms.
► Blow off both sides with compressed air prior to assembly to remove any debris.
► Install Contact Set on the back side of the socket body, orienting the side with the gold
plated mounting arms and contact tips towards the socket body and DUT.
► Gently press one of the Contact Set's tooling holes over a corresponding guide pin.
► Do the same for the next tooling hole and guide pin.
► Gently manipulate any remaining tooling holes onto their corresponding guide pins (if
applicable).
► When all tooling holes are on the guide pins, use a flat tip tweezers to ease the
Contact Set further down onto the pins, alternating sides until the Contact Set is
seated against the socket.
► Work carefully to avoid enlarging or deforming the Contact Set tooling holes.
► Work the opposite direction to remove the Contact Set, carefully easing it off the guide
pins. Do not use a sharp instrument or grab one corner and pull it off the guide pins
because it can cause damage to the Contact Set tooling holes.
► Install / Remove the Silmat®:
► Note keying orientation patterns and/or tooling holes.
► Blow off both sides with compressed air prior to assembly to remove any debris.
► Important: Do not touch, rub, brush or clean the Silmat®columns.
► Install Silmat® so one side touches the Contact Set and the other side faces the PCB.
► Gently press one of the tooling holes over a first corresponding guide pin.
► Do the same for the next tooling hole and guide pin.
► Gently manipulate any remaining tooling holes onto their corresponding guide pins
(if applicable).
► When all tooling holes are on the guide pins, use flat tip tweezers to ease the Silmat®
further down onto the pins, alternating sides until the Silmat® is seated against the
Contact Set.
► Work carefully to avoid enlarging or deforming the Silmat® tooling holes.
► Work the opposite direction to remove the Silmat®, carefully easing it off the guide
pins. Do not use a sharp instrument or grab one corner and pull it off the guide pins
because it can cause damage to the Silmat® tooling holes.
► If the same Silmat® is removed and then reinstalled on a socket, the Silmat® should
remain in the same orientation with the same side facing the Contact Set. Installing
either the Contact Set or the Silmat® upside down may impact performance.
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Assembly of Socket to PCB:
► Assure that the test site PCB pads and immediately surrounding surfaces are clean, dry and
free of contaminants or any other residues. If necessary, clean the PCB pads with a brush
and blow with compressed air.
► Place the socket’s alignment pins into the corresponding holes in the PCB.
► Secure the socket to the PCB and stiffener (if applicable) using the mounting screws or
fasteners. Assure that the socket is firmly seated and coplanar with the PCB.
Removal & Storage:
► Remove the socket body from the PCB and store with the contacts attached in the protective
packaging provided. Do not allow multiple sockets to rub against each other.
► If the contacts are separated from the socket body, always keep them contained and
protected. This will keep them from being touched or damaged and prevent the accumulation
of dust and debris.
► It is recommended to leave the socket assembled to the PCB whenever possible to keep the
contacts clean and free of contamination. Only remove the contacts when extra cleaning is
required or when the contacts need to be replaced.
► While the socket assembly remains attached to the PCB, it is recommended to store it
without a DUT in the socket so the contacts remain unactuated during that time, which will
help extend the life.
Handling & Cleaning
Contact Set:
► Always handle by the outside edges and avoid touching the top and bottom of the contacts.
► Use compressed air to blow dust and debris from the top and bottom of the contacts prior to
use and assembly.
► It is recommended to leave the contacts assembled on the socket as long as possible.
However, if cleaning is necessary after a number of actuations to remove difficult
contaminants or solder residue, remove the contacts from the socket, taking note of the
orientation with the Silmat®, and clean both sides (tips and tails) of the Contact Set with a
fiberglass or bristle brush. Isopropyl alcohol may also be used to clean the Contact Set.
► Important: Cleaning using brushes and isopropyl alcohol is for the Contact Set only and
should never be used on the Silmat®. If cleaning chemicals are used on the Contact Set,
it must be completely dry prior to installing the Silmat®.
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► When using a brush to clean the Contact Set,
always brush in a sweeping motion across
the contacts in one direction and then do the
same in the perpendicular direction. Always
brush both the top and bottom of the Contact
Set and blow off any debris with compressed
air prior to use and assembly.
► Important: Be sure no debris is picked
up by the Silmat®material.
Silmat®:
► Always handle by the outside edges and avoid touching the top and bottom of the conductive
columns which should have protruding “buttons” of conductive particles.
► Important: Do not touch or rub the conductive columns or the buttons
could be damaged.
► Never use a stiff/wire brush on the Silmat®.
► Never use any alcohol or cleaning chemicals on the Silmat®. If the Contact Set or PCB is
cleaned with chemicals, always be sure they are completely dry prior to touching the Silmat®.
► Use compressed air to blow dust and debris from the top and bottom of the contacts prior to
use and assembly.
► If there is debris that cannot be removed by air, use a soft animal hair brush or a Post-it® Note
with light adhesive to gently remove any remaining debris. It may also be helpful to use a
microscope and tweezers to remove some contaminants.
► Note: Some loose particles from the Silmat®conductive columns are common and do not
impact functionality. If there is excessive particle dispersion, please contact Smiths
Connectors.
Possible Issues & Troubleshooting
Debris and/or Obstructions:
Signals may be impacted by various types of
debris or obstructions (hair, fibers, etc). These
should be removed by compressed air if
possible. If necessary, the Contact Set may be
cleaned or brushed. However, the Silmat®
should never be cleaned or brushed and only air
should be used or careful manual removal of
contaminants.
Note: Some amount of loose particles on
the Silmat®is normal and won’t impact functionality.
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Solder Residue and Oxide Migration:
The amount of transfer may vary by the type of device or solder and may build up on the Contact
Set tips over high numbers of device insertions causing an increase in contact resistance. The
Contact Set tips may be cleaned with a brush to remove residue and oxides.
Note: Since the Silmat® does not touch the device leads, it should not accumulate solder residue and
should not need to be cleaned.
Over / Under Actuation:
This may cause poor or inconsistent test results and possibly impact contact life.
It is important to stay within the recommended compression operating range. It is also important
to eliminate any PCB flex or deflection to maintain coplanar actuation of the contacts.
DUT Mis-Registration:
Over or under-sized devices compared to nominal specs may cause mis-registration with the
contacts and impact test results. It could also cause mis-insertions and non-coplanar actuation
which could damage the contacts. Assure devices are within design tolerances.
DUT Misplacement:
Device mis-insertions can cause non-coplanar actuation and potentially damage the contacts.
The DUT should be inserted appropriately into the socket and actuated in a coplanar manner.
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