Technical Library | 2023-09-13 12:45:24.0
Improve the reliability of your electronics with our Offline PCBA Cleaning Machine. Achieve spotless, residue-free PCBAs for enhanced performance.
Technical Library | 2020-03-09 10:50:17.0
A customer called the Helpline seeking advice for cleaning no-clean fluxes prior to applying a conformal coating. The customer's assemblies were manufactured with a no-clean rosin based solder paste (ROL0) and were cleaned with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wash. After cleaning, a white residue was sometimes found in areas with high paste concentrations and was interfering with the adhesion of the conformal coating (Figure 1). For conformal coatings to adhere properly, the printed circuit board (PCB) surface must be clean of fluxes and other residues. In addition, ionic contamination left by flux residues can lead to corrosion and dendrite growth, two common causes of electronic opens and shorts. Other residues can lead to unwanted impedance and physical interference with moving parts.
Technical Library | 2019-06-03 15:32:40.0
ACI Technologies was pleased to assist a customer by conducting elemental analysis on several assemblies displaying severe corrosion. Several board assemblies had failed in the field and exhibited areas of corrosion in close proximity to onboard components. The most common source of corrosion on electronic assemblies is residual flux. Fluxes are specific chemistries applied during the soldering process which improve the wetting of the solder to both the pad and component when forming the solder joint. They can be highly reactive chemicals that, if left on the assemblies, can lead to corrosion, electrical degradation, and decreased reliability. In the presence of moisture and electrical bias, flux residue can enable dendritic growth as a result of electrochemical migration (ECM).
Technical Library | 2019-05-23 10:42:00.0
Why identify flux residues? The primary purpose of flux is to reduce species of metal oxides from solderable surfaces, and to act as a mechanism for lifting and removing debris. If the assembly is not properly cleaned after manufacturing, flux may continue to reduce metals and may eventually corrode the assembly. When the assembly is powered, the metal ions may precipitate along electromagnetic field lines and form dendritic shorts. In addition, the presence of residue can alter the insulation properties of a board, affect the adhesion of the conformal coating, or interfere with the moving parts of the assembly. In radio frequency (RF) applications, flux may change the RF properties on the surface of the printed circuit board (PCB) such as the dielectric strength, surface resistance, and Q-resonance.
Technical Library | 2019-05-23 10:38:07.0
Solvent and co-solvent cleaning involves the use of engineered solvents in a vapor phase system. The solvents classically used were Class 1 Ozone Depleting Substances, but new types of solvents have been developed that are less environmentally harmful. In some cases, isopropyl alcohol is used with a co-solvent. In these types of cleaning systems, a cloud of boiling vapor solvent is maintained between a boil sump and a cooling coil. When the items to be cleaned are immersed in the vapor cloud, the solvent condenses on the assemblies and acts to dissolve the residues. These processes usually involve a final rinse step outside of the vapor cloud to ensure that all dissolved residues are washed off the assemblies (Figure 1).
Technical Library | 2023-12-06 03:28:49.0
Mastering Precision: I.C.T's SMT Conformal Coating Valves Introduction Of SMT Conformal Coating Valves: In various industries, including electronics, lighting, energy, and life sciences, the SMT conformal coating process plays a critical role. Precision is key, and the choice of a SMT coating valve significantly influences application quality. This article explores I.C.T's SMT conformal coating valves, focusing on the C-0101, C-L101, PJ-01, PJ-01 (with plastic bucket), C-0100, D-0100, D-0300, and the W Series. C-0101 Water Curtain Spray SMT Conformal Coating Valves: The C-0101, a non-atomizing water curtain spray valve, excels with low-viscosity solvent materials. It ensures clean and precise edges in applications like conformal coatings, UV adhesives, backfilling, and volatile substances. C-L101 Rotary Water Curtain Spray Valve: Similar to the C-0101, the C-L101 suits low-viscosity solvent materials, offering a precise edge without splashing for various coatings. PJ-01 Injection Valve (Without Plastic Bucket): Designed for high-precision applications in electronics, lighting, energy, and life sciences, the PJ-01 excels in accurate dispensing and coating. It accommodates various materials, including red glue, liquids, and pastes. PJ-01 Injection Valve (With Plastic Bucket 30CC): The PJ-01, with a 30cc plastic bucket, maintains high precision for complex circuit board applications, offering precise dispensing for materials like red glue, liquids, and pastes. C-0100 Non-Rotating Film Valve: Different from pneumatic atomizing valves, the C-0100 provides precise edge definition without air pressure involvement. It addresses issues related to atomizing drift and fast-drying adhesives, allowing control over the film width. D-0100 Precision Valve: The D-0100, with a unique fluid-sealing structure driven by compressed air, minimizes seal replacement frequency. Suitable for various fluid dispensing, it handles UV adhesives, encapsulating materials, silicones, epoxies, and surface coatings. D-0300 Dispensing Valve: Tailored for precision fluid dispensing at low driving pressure, the D-0300 accommodates a range of materials, including acrylics, silicones, epoxies, and UV adhesives. It's ideal for applications where accuracy and consistency are crucial. W Series: Needle Design Atomization Valves: The W Series offers needle design valves leaving zero residue. Easy to clean without disassembly, they provide adjustable fluid and air pressure for various coating materials, ensuring excellent atomization effects. Analyzing The Options: When selecting a conformal coating valve, consider specific application requirements. C-0101 and C-L101 suit low-viscosity solvent materials, providing clean and precise edges. PJ-01, with or without a plastic bucket, offers high-precision dispensing for complex applications. C-0100 and D-0100 are versatile for various materials, and D-0300 excels in precision dispensing. The W Series offers residue-free needle design atomization valves. Choose based on material, precision, and coating needs. Integration with I.C.T's Conformal Coating Machines: Integral to I.C.T's Conformal Coating machines, these valves enable precise application tailored to specific requirements. Machines like I.C.T-T550, I.C.T-T550U, I.C.T-T600, and I.C.T-T650 come equipped with a range of valve options catering to diverse production line needs. I.C.T SMT Coating Machine.png Conclusion: Selecting the right conformal coating valve is crucial for consistent, high-quality results. Evaluate options based on material, precision, and coating requirements. I.C.T provides tailored solutions for electronic assembly needs. For detailed insights into coating and dispensing machines, follow the provided link. Professional engineers are ready to assist in designing a production line that perfectly matches your requirements, ensuring optimal performance. Contact us for more information and tailored solutions to elevate your conformal coating processes.
Technical Library | 2021-09-02 08:17:07.0
We are a professional manufacturer of PCB depaneling machines, which is workable for all boards, including flex and regid boards, v-scored boards and routed boards. Laser pcb depaneling is non-contact way without mechanical stress,this solution is good for modern precision PCB depaneling. It has below advantages: 1. No dust The production environment of the circuit board industry is carried out in the dust-free workshop. The traditional pcb depaneling equipment, such as blade moving type machine, will inevitably produce residues and micro powder, which will pollute the 10000 and 1000 class dust-free workshops and affect the conductivity of products. The UV laser PCB cutting machine is a vaporization processing process, which will not produce dust and is conducive to the conductivity of the product. 2. High cutting precision The processing gap of high-precision traditional processing equipment can not reach the gap width of less than 100 microns, which will cause certain damage to the lines on the edge or PCBA circuit board containing components. The focus spot of the laser cutting machine is small, and the ultraviolet cold processing mode has little thermal impact on the edge of the circuit board. The cutting position accuracy is less than 50 microns, and the cutting size accuracy is less than 30 microns, which will not affect the edge of the circuit board, and the precision is high. 3. No stress Traditional processing methods generally have V-grooves, which will cause certain damage to the board in the manufacturing process. The UV laser PCB cutting machine can directly cut the bare board without making V-grooves. In addition, the traditional processing methods directly use tools to act on the circuit board, especially the stamping method has a great impact on the circuit board, which is easy to cause board deformation. The laser cutting machine is a non-contact processing mode, which acts on the surface of the material through the high-energy beam, which will not cause the influence of stress and the deformation and damage of the circuit board. 4. For special-shaped cutting, it is easy to automate The UV laser PCB cutting machine can cut for any shape without replacing any props and fixtures, and without steel mesh. The same equipment can meet special-shaped and straight-line cutting, which is easy to realize assembly line automatic production and high flexibility. It is easy to improve production efficiency and save production process and production cycle. In particular, it can quickly and efficiently meet the needs of rapid proofing, directly import the drawing, and then locate the cutting. 5. High compatibility The UV laser PCB cutting machine can process the materials around the circuit board, such as PCB, FPC, covering film, pet, reinforcing board, IC, ultra-thin metal cutting, etc. it has strong practicability, is compatible with the processing of a variety of materials, is easy to operate, can be imported into the drawing, does not need to adjust any mechanical parts, and is easy to operate and maintain. 6. Good cutting edge effect The cutting edge is smooth and neat without burr. It can be processed and formed directly according to the size of the drawing, which is conducive to improving the yield of the product. It can be directly installed into the subsequent process without further processing. For more details about UV laser depaneling, please feel free to contact us. www.pcbdepanelingrouter.com
Technical Library | 2017-07-27 16:51:57.0
Reliability Expectations of Highly Dense Electronic Assemblies is commonly validated using Ion Chromatography and Surface Insulation Resistance. Surface Insulation Resistance tests resistance drops on both cleaned and non-cleaned circuit assemblies. It is well documented in the literature that SIR detects ionic residue and the potential of this residue to cause leakage currents in the presence of humidity and bias. Residues under leadless components are hard to inspect for and to ensure flux residue is totally removed. The question many assemblers consider is the risk of residues that may still be present under the body of components.
Technical Library | 1999-05-07 10:47:00.0
White residue remaining after cleaning circuit board assemblies can be caused by a variety of chemicals and reactions. Rosin and water-soluble fluxes, circuit board resins and epoxies, component materials and other contamination all contribute to this complex chemistry. This paper discusses many of the sources of the residues that seem to be an ever-increasing occurrence.
Technical Library | 2023-12-26 17:50:54.0
In this white paper, we discuss the pros and cons of five analytical techniques when applied to residue analysis on electronic assemblies. We evaluate the following for their application and limitations for analyzing both visible and invisible residues: FITR, SEM/EDX, XRF, Ion Chromatography, and ROSE
