Foam in inline wash

I relate to your problem. We face this issue sometimes. It's mostly flux from SMT, TH process or rework boards. To avoid foam in our Washer, we soak the boards in hot water for 10-15 min before running it through the washer. Or you can spray the boards in the sink before running through the washer. You will notice all the foaming particles will wash off, and it want happened in the washer.

reply »

Is this happening in the mornings? Are the operators allowing the machine to come up to set temperature before they run it?

reply »

We have a batch washer. When it was being installed I noticed their was some foam when testing empty. We had already ran a load previously. I asked the installer and he said that it takes very little for there to be foam.

reply »

Surely somewhere the cleaning or rinsing liquid gets to the other chamber. It is possible that the chemical migrates to the flush or flushes the chemical into the chamber. I have had a similar situation, high foam, injection vertical spray offline stencil cleaning machine. The reason was a damaged seal. Double check water quality μS/; cmpH Be sure you are using right chemical

See photos

Attachments:

reply »

Here is a link to one of our "Tips and Tricks" videos "How to Prevent Foam in Your Wash Process". You may find this helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctqh48uxwBo

Mike Konrad

reply »

Good morning! I'm sorry to hear about the anomalies you're experiencing with your inline wash. Dealing with foaming issues can be challenging, but I'll do my best to provide some suggestions to help you troubleshoot the problem.

1. Check the Water Quality: You mentioned that you've recently changed the carbon and resin beds for your DI water system. However, it's worth double-checking the water quality to ensure that it meets the required standards. Test the DI water for any impurities or contaminants that could contribute to excessive foaming.

2. Review Chemicals and Cleaning Agents: If you suspect that flux or solder residue might be causing the foaming, evaluate the cleaning agents or chemicals you're using in the wash process. Make sure they are suitable for your application and compatible with the materials being cleaned. Consider consulting the manufacturer's guidelines or contacting their technical support for recommendations.

3. Examine Equipment Setup: Verify the setup of your Austin American Hydrojet system. Ensure that all connections, hoses, and nozzles are properly installed and functioning correctly. Look for any signs of blockages or leaks that could impact the wash performance and potentially lead to excess foaming.

4. Review Operating Parameters: Assess the operating parameters of the inline wash system. Check the temperature, pressure, and flow rates to ensure they are within the recommended ranges provided by the manufacturer. Deviations from these parameters could affect the efficiency of the cleaning process and potentially contribute to foaming.

reply »