DEK
The DEK Horizon 8 is an automatic stencil printer for surface-mount technology (SMT) assembly. The machine applies solder paste to printed circuit boards through a stencil before component placement. The model is part of DEK's Horizon platform of printing machines.[1][2][3]
The DEK Horizon 8 has a maximum printing surface of 508 mm (X) by 508 mm (Y). The machine's standard cycle time is 10 seconds plus process time, and its weight is approximately 690 kg depending on selected options.[1][2][3][4]
Stencil printers of this class print solder paste by drawing a squeegee across a stencil that is aligned over the board; paste is deposited through apertures in the stencil onto the board's solder pads. The DEK Horizon 8 automates this sequence with motorized squeegee adjustment and squeegee pressure feedback. Stencil alignment is motorized and performed on the X and Y axes with rotation, using actuators.[2][3][1]
The DEK Horizon 8 uses a DEK HawkEye 1700 digital camera system with 2-way LED illumination for alignment and quality control. The user interface is a touchscreen with keyboard and trackball running DEK Instinctiv V9 software. The machine includes automatic stencil loading with a squeegee drip catcher and supports under-stencil cleaning using a DEK Cyclone system in 300 mm, 400 mm, or 515 mm widths. A DEK ProFlow enclosed print head is available as an option.[2][3][4]
The machine alignment capability is rated above 2.0 Cpk at plus/minus 12.5 micrometres with six-sigma performance, and process alignment capability is rated above 2.0 Cpk at plus/minus 25 micrometres with six-sigma performance. The repeat accuracy rating is evaluated using production-typical process variables, including printing speed, squeegee operation, table movements, and camera movements.[2][3]
In an SMT assembly line, the stencil printer is the first process step after board loading; it prints solder paste onto the bare printed circuit board before components are placed and before reflow soldering. The DEK Horizon 8 is designed to sit in this position in a production line, feeding boards to downstream placement and soldering equipment.[2][5][4]
The DEK Horizon 8 can be configured for left-to-right process flow, and it supports Quik-Tool board support and Gold Grid-Lok board support modules. The machine is designed for integration into automated SMT assembly lines.[1]
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The maximum printing surface is 508 mm (X) by 508 mm (Y).[1][2][3][4]
The standard cycle time is 10 seconds plus process time.[2][3][4]
The following facts about the Horizon 8 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the Horizon 8 are on record.
Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement
No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the Horizon 8 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool
The control-system platform and OS era of the Horizon 8 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the Horizon 8 are on record.
Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician
The process node or technology generation of the Horizon 8 is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
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Last updated Oct 13, 2026.