"Squink was our first, and the one that showed us it was possible. It has shown us the way into labs and R&D groups and gave us invaluable ideas on improvements for our next generation of printers. Squink may have had its flaws, but it was revolutionary and will always have a place in our hearts."
-Carlos Ospina, CTO and Co-Founder of BotFactory
In February 2014, we presented our very first PCB printer, Squink—a portmanteau of squid and ink. This desktop-sized friend was a complete electronic circuit printer that made printing, pasting, and assembling printed circuit boards all in one place possible. Squink ushered electrical engineers into the rapid prototyping era (so they could be or at least keep up with their mechanical engineering friends who had 3D printers). It was small, practical, and constantly updated to meet both customer requests and our technology roadmap. As we say goodbye to Squink, we want to thank our users for the past seven years.
Squink was our first generation Desktop PCB Printer that can print multiple layers, dispense paste onto pads, and pick-and-place components onto the board. While it served us well, there were a few limitations Squink had—particularly, being able to print up to only two layers. A Desktop PCB Printer printing two layers was phenomenal for the last few years, but as time passed it was no longer enough. Upgrading to meet new standards meant creating an entirely new machine—Squink itself had already gotten as far as it could. Despite the memorable times and circuits Squink provided, it is time to put it to rest and focus on a new generation of PCB printers.
If you're a Squink user yourself, you might be wondering what this means for you. We've addressed some concerns you might have:
How does this affect warranties?
Your warranty will be honored until it expires. That is generally 6 months from the purchase date. Please check our Terms and Conditions for complete details.
How long will software support last?
We will continue to fix major bugs through our update system but will not release any new features. The support of Squink will be available for three years starting June 1, 2020.
How long will consumables be sold?
Consumables will be sold through the website for three years starting June 1, 2020. Afterward, they will be available until we run out of stock.
What can I use now?
Rest assured that Squink's retirement is because we have a much more capable and better PCB printer available, SV2.
SV2, Squink's successor, was released four years after the initial development of Squink. It is capable of performing the same functions, such as printing, pasting, and assembling, with many improvements and new features. It is also capable of meeting the much desired multilayer capacity being beyond two layers. SV2 can print up to four layers, allowing you to create more complex designs. Some of the other features of SV2 include: a sleek new frame for enhanced durability and precision, a larger ink reservoir, faster processing, and advanced hardware for each head.
As we move on, the evolution of SV2 will continue for years to come. We hope that Squink has provided you with the capabilities you needed back then, and that SV2 will be able to do the same now.
