PCBs cleaned safely

A manufacturer of microwave amplifiers has installed a mono-solvent cleaning system from Kerry Ultrasonics to ensure its finishing process carries no risk to either its personnel or the environment

Microwave Amplifiers Ltd is using a three-stage Microsolve 250 in conjunction with Dupont Vertrel XMS Plus to remove soldering flux and general soiling from double-sided PCBs and finished amplifiers for the telecommunications industry.

Vertrel is completely ozone-safe, has negligible global-warming impact, is free from carcinogenic ingredients and is non-flammable.

Microwave Amplifiers had previously cleaned its components in two bench-top ultrasonic baths running on isopropyl alcohol (IPA), but was concerned by the IPA environmental and health and safety risks.

The company was also dis-satisfied with the inconsistency of the results of the non-automated cleaning system and the high level of solvent loss it produced.

Microwave Amplifiers new unit is fitted with an Autotrans single axis lift to see that boards are repeatedly finished to the same internal standard of cleanliness.

Given that Vertrel is a relatively expensive solvent, the Autotrans carries the added benefit of guaranteeing low solvent consumption due to minimal drag-out.

The PLC-controlled Microsolve machine features an ultrasonic wash followed by a vapour rinse and finished with a freeboard dry.

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