In the world of PCB cleaning, oftentimes up and coming companies rely on manual cleaning due to the cost constraints associated with cleaning equipment.
However, there are drawbacks to manual cleaning. The Human factor could result in inconsistent PCB cleaning from board to board. Manual cleaning exposes employees directly to solvent fumes. Because the solvents are used once and then disposed of (one and done), they are used in relatively large volumes per unit cleaned. Most solvents also contain VOCs that are restricted/limited use substances in many air quality districts.
When traditional spray-in-air equipment-based cleaning is deemed too expensive, immersion ultrasonic cleaning using water-based chemistries can be less expensive in the long run, even when compared to manual cleaning.
Most components on PCBs are compatible with ultrasonics. If there is any doubt, the components can be evaluated for compatibility using the IPC-TM-650, Method 2.6.9.1 Test to determine the sensitivity of electronics to ultrasonic energy. Furthermore, some components are only incompatible with specific ultrasonic frequencies. Using the correct ultrasonic frequency will resolve that issue.
So, will an ultrasonic tank bought from Amazon suffice? What are the must-have features of a high-quality ultrasonic tank? There are certainly several things to consider in your search.
Keep in mind that ultrasonic equipment should be of industrial quality. Light-duty ultrasonic tanks can undergo cavitational erosion, which will wear away the steel over the transducers. Eventually, the tank will develop pinholes that will leak into the transducers and destroy them. Look for thick gauge steel and not thin “catering-pan” metal.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind for a successful search…
Immersion ultrasonic PCB cleaning can be your first step toward a qualified repeatable cleaning process. If you think this may be a viable option to improve your PCB cleaning process, efficiency or gain better cleaning results, don’t go it alone. Industry partners and cleaning companies are ready to give you the information you need to make the best choice possible.