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Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent

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Amol

#37019

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 7 October, 2005

Hi, Can anyone suggest what solvents are the best for manual stencil cleaning?? we are currently using alcohol wipes, but the fine pitch apertures still have solder paste stuck in between them. We should ideallyhave a stencil cleaner, but until that gets here, I need information on any solvents that are effective than alcohol in dissolving/removing the solder paste from the stencil (RMA flux chemistry)

Thanks...Amol

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#37024

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 7 October, 2005

Here are some:

Mfr. Model Flash Point Tel Nr. Kyzen Ionox 13400 170 F +1-615-831-0888 Zestron SD 300 106 F +1-703-589-1198 Zestron VD 143 F Zestron SD 100 106 F Zestron SW 153 F EMS GMBH Puran SC 104 F +49-2401-9193-0 Promosol TOPKLEAN EL-7 140 F +33-1-49-835300 Kolb Wipe EX SA-120 248 F +49-2154-9479-38

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Amol

#37049

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 10 October, 2005

thank you Pete. Any particular method that is effective with the above solutions?

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#37051

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 10 October, 2005

If you don't have a machine, such as from these guys:

http://www.pressureproducts.com/SPPC_Hm.htm

http://www.smartsonic.com/index2.html

http://www.aqueoustech.com/Ultrasonic_Series_Data.htm

http://www.emcgti.com/products/product_list.php?cat=8&catn=Stencil+Cleaners

You can manually wash with warm DI water in a Safety Kleen sink/tank http://www.safety-kleen.biz/simplemerce/storeitem.jsp?vid=20050225007&iid=9551&cid=2454&pcid=1〈=1 with 10-25% concentration of the above chemistries, concentration varies,. The waste liquid will be toxic, just like it is now by cleaning with IPA. Its best to check with the suppliers of the chemistry to see what's best for RMA fluxes. The machines are nice because they can be zero-discharge, no waste. The Pressure Products machine is a nice little unit that is all self contained. No water lines or drain lines required. It can be moved around to point-of-use.

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CEB

#37052

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 10 October, 2005

You may want to look at handheld ultrasonic cleaner.

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#37059

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 11 October, 2005

We use alcohol and compressed air. Works fine.

mk

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Mark

#37064

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 11 October, 2005

I second the alcohol and compressed air.

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Amol

#37069

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 11 October, 2005

Hi Matt, Can you elaborate on the process?

Thanks, Amol

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#37074

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 11 October, 2005

you take the stencil which is contaminated with basically a toxic substance, add a solvent (alcohol) then use compressed air to blast it all into the air you breathe. I used to use foam wipes that were pretty good. I've also seen thick clothe ones that were good.

And OK I have been known to use compressed air once in a while. usually just low pressure from a small hose and only in a small area of the stencil. My point is make sure you use your brain if you are going to use compressed air to clean anything.

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#37144

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 14 October, 2005

Be careful when using compressed air, it will not only �blast it all into the air you breathe�, it can also damage the stencil by bending the delicate land mass areas of fine-pitch apertures. I recommend the article �SMT Stencil Cleaning: A Decision That Could Impact Production(Improving Screen Printing Yields)by Richard Clouthier. We keep a copy on our web site: http://www.smartsonic.com/article1.html

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???

#37146

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 14 October, 2005

wow....i would love to see the compressor that can damage a stencil.

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Mika

#37154

Manual Stencil Cleaning Solvent | 14 October, 2005

What? That is easily done. With a 127 micron stencil thickness and apertures made for a QFP 0.5mm pitch... Remember from school of how You squeeze a media under a certain presure (like air), from a bigger diameter towards a smaller nozzle, You will increase the pressure at the end of the nozzle without affecting the volyme... And if the distance of the air nozzle and stencil is close enough; which is the case to do this kind of cleaning process; then... [bschreiber} is totally right.

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