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EPP Europe P2.2023

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PCB & ASSEMBLY «<br />

Shitsuke / Sustain<br />

Sustain is the final stage that helps technicians<br />

maintain all that has been implemented over the<br />

previous four stage. Companies must maintain the<br />

5S procedures and update and adapt them as<br />

necessary.<br />

It is essential to involve the entire workforce in the<br />

5S approach: the management team, those working<br />

at the PCB cleaning workbench, and staff in inspection<br />

and quality control. Regular training is a good<br />

way to keep everyone updated on the process and to<br />

ensure long-term success.<br />

The sixth ‘S’<br />

An additional sixth step that some companies<br />

adopt when using the 5S methodology is ‘Safety’. It<br />

concentrates on eliminating workplace risks and<br />

raising standards.<br />

It is important to examine cleaning fluids and<br />

equipment and carefully review the SDS (safety data<br />

sheets) to make sure they are appropriate for usage.<br />

Advanced PCB cleaning solutions are safer for exposed<br />

employees since they are designed to be nonflammable,<br />

have better toxicity profiles, and high<br />

threshold limit values (TLVs), making them safer for<br />

users.<br />

As mentioned above, a controlled cleaning fluid<br />

dispensing system is an effective tool. Cleaning fluid<br />

is distributed through a closed aerosol system, restricting<br />

worker exposure to any gases and lowering<br />

the possibility of spillage<br />

and fire hazards.<br />

As component shortages<br />

continue, PCB manufacturers<br />

are making every part<br />

count. Ineffective PCB<br />

cleaning not only affects the<br />

quality and reliability of any<br />

electronic device but can<br />

also leave the PCB unusable.<br />

When considering PCB<br />

cleaning, look for methods<br />

like ‘5S Plus Safety’ to help<br />

to optimise the process, and<br />

reduce waste.<br />

Productronica, Booth A4.101<br />

www.microcare.com<br />

About the author<br />

Elizabeth Norwood is a Senior<br />

Chemist at MicroCare, provider<br />

of precision cleaning solutions.<br />

She has been in the industry for<br />

more than 25 years and has a<br />

BS in Chemistry from the University<br />

of St. Joseph, Connecticut.<br />

Norwood researches, develops<br />

and tests cleaning-related<br />

products. She currently has one<br />

patent issued and two pending<br />

for her work.<br />

There are always two<br />

sides to every story!<br />

New AOI system for top<br />

and bottom inspection<br />

www.viscom.com<br />

Booth A2.177<br />

NEW<br />

3D AOI<br />

<strong>EPP</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> » 11 | 2023 47

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