Controlling Sodler Ball Contamination

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We are using a �spray� type stencil cleaner and hot DI water... - Feb 19, 2001 by sallyt OnBoard Forums

Thank you for giving me an easy one. Cleaning populated PCBs... - Feb 19, 2001 by Frank Grimard OnBoard Forums

Hi! We are a low production contract manufacturer compa... - Feb 21, 2001 by Ramon I Garcia C OnBoard Forums

Hi Ramon, The obvious answer you might expect to here fro... - Feb 21, 2001 by Frank Grimard OnBoard Forums

sallyt

#5262

Controlling Sodler Ball Contamination | 19 February, 2001

We are using a �spray� type stencil cleaner and hot DI water to clean water washable solder paste. I want to use the stencil cleaner to also clean misprinted PCBs. However, we consistently find solder balls on side A of a double-sided misprint. We use a series of micron filters (50, 10 and 2) to filter the wash water. How can I control the solder ball contamination?

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Frank Grimard

#5268

Controlling Solder Ball Contamination | 19 February, 2001

Thank you for giving me an easy one. Cleaning populated PCBs in a stencil cleaner can be a nightmare! Please see my response to the question by MartyS on "Fine-pitch Apertures". If this doesn't answer your question, let me know.

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Ramon I Garcia C

#5301

Controlling Solder Ball Contamination | 21 February, 2001

Hi! We are a low production contract manufacturer company, We have few stencils and low productions, but we have a lot of problems with misprintered pcbs, my question is �is there some machine to clean only pcbs?�

Excuse my english..

Ram�n I

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Frank Grimard

#5309

Controlling Solder Ball Contamination | 21 February, 2001

Hi Ramon,

The obvious answer you might expect to here from me is that you could probably reduce your misprint problem if you had a good stencil cleaning process.

Please see my response to the question by MarkT on �Cleaning Materials� because it is important to understand the potential complications of cleaning double-sided (populated) misprints vs. bare-board misprints. Based on that response, I do not recommend the use of sprays or hand wipes.

Unfortunately, the most expensive portion of an ultrasonic cleaner is the ultrasonics (generator and transducers). So, a standard ultrasonic cleaner capable of cleaning PCB misprints will cost almost as much as an entry level ultrasonic stencil cleaner, especially if your misprints are populated because you will need two ultrasonic systems, one for washing and one for rinsing. Based on this, I would recommend the purchase of an ultrasonic stencil cleaner because it will not only clean your misprinted PCBs, it will also help you reduce the number of misprinted PCBs by providing a cleaner stencil.

Remember, whatever process you decide to use; the chemistry is always the most important component. Without the right chemistry, even ultrasonics won�t help.

P.S. I wish my Spanish was as good as your English.

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