Product category:
PCB Assembly Equipment and Tools
News Release from: Guyson International | Subject: Kerry Microsolve
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 08 April 2005
Cosolvent systems cover specialist
requirements
For medium to high volume PCB assemblers, Kerry Microsolve cosolvent systems combine high specification cleaning with a range of options for specialist users.
For medium to high volume PCB assemblers, Kerry Microsolve cosolvent systems combine high specification cleaning with a range of options for specialist users Microsolve cosolvent systems achieve cleanliness standards to specifications including BS, IPC, ESA and MIL SPEC
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Ultrasonic cleaning systems save on solvent
Microsolve ultrasonic cleaning systems attain the highest cleaning standards yet keep running costs low.
Monitoring system reduces solvent waste
Kerry Ultrasonics has developed an automatic monitoring system which allows users of its cleaning machines to check the rate at which costly solvents are used during processing.
The cosolvent process defluxes all types of PCBs, assembled and reworked, removes no-clean solder flux residues, and eliminates the white deposits associated with traditional single solvent and water-based detergent processes.
The standard cosolvent system has two ultrasonic, heated cleaning stages equipped with continuous filtration.
In the first stage a mixture of HFE (hydrofluoroether) solvent and a hydrocarbon solvating agent removes gross contamination.
Further reading
Programmable baths clean consistently
Kerry has developed bench-top ultrasonic cleaning baths which can be programmed to maximise the quality and repeatability of results.
Greener solvent proves more effective
PCB assembler Electronic Technicians Ltd has seen an improvement in cleaning quality and a reduction in reject rates after the installation of a cosolvent cleaning system from Kerry Ultrasonics.
Large quantities of flux and general contamination can be taken up by the solvating agent, making the process particularly suitable for high volume cleaning with minimal tank maintenance.
In the second stage pure HFE solvent removes residues carried over from the first cleaning tank.
Vapour rinsing follows, then freeboard drying.
The optional Neptune generator allows selection of 38 or 70kHz in both ultrasonic stages, the higher frequency being preferred for certain sensitive devices.
Neptune also allows frequency sweep, variable sweep rate and a pulse feature, adjustable power control, autotuning and eight-program-capacity programmed operation.
For certain aerospace applications where ultrasonics may not be used, the cosolvent process can clean without sonics, instead using the "rolling boil" agitation and properties of the cosolvent mixture to achieve requisite cleanliness standards.
Microsolve owners enjoy low, predictable running costs thanks to intelligent machine design - a highly effective reflux cooling system, vapour break and a deep freeboard zone all help to minimise expensive solvent loss.
An optional automatic HFE topup system logs the rate of solvent usage.
This device demonstrated a total consumption of only 2.4 litre over a 7-day test of a high capacity cosolvent unit.
Some PCB cleaning customers are averaging less than 2% HFE solvent usage per week.
Autotrans work transfer systems ensure consistent, repeatable quality whilst increasing throughput, and also contribute to cost reductions by controlling the speed of basket movement through the vapour zone, thus reducing solvent drag-out caused by disturbance of the vapour blanket.
All Autotrans transporters can integrate with feed and exit conveyors or load and unload tables for fully automatic operation.
Following the integration of Kerry Ultrasonics into Guyson International in 2004, Kerry Microsolve systems are now available from Guyson, which offers demonstrations and free cleaning trials at its main sales, production and demonstration site in Skipton, North Yorkshire and at its Technical and Demonstration Centre in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Request a free brochure from Guyson International ...
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