A dispensing system
A dispensing system controls the fluid flow to reduce cleaning fluid waste and enhances worker safety by limiting the amount of cleaning fluid fumes released into the air Source: MicroCare ing tight spaces for perfect for spot cleaning. It also controls the fluid flow to reduce waste and enhances worker safety by limiting the amount of cleaning fluid fumes released into the air. Seiton / Set The second step is ‘set’ or ‘straighten’. This is at the heart of the phrase ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’. All items that have been deemed necessary should be organized logically and methodically. This can be achieved by giving each a designated area and labelling it for quick identification. This lessens the need for extra inventory and cuts down on search time. Think about how the cans of aerosol cleaning fluid are arranged on the work surface, for example. Removing aerosol cans and storing them in mounted Zusammenfassung Die in Japan entwickelte 5S-Methode zur Arbeitsplatzorganisation wird in der Fertigung eingesetzt, um Verschwendung zu vermeiden. Der Artikel zeigt auf, wie diese Philosophie sinnvoll auf Praktiken der Labortischreinigung angewendet werden kann. Résumé La méthode des 5 S développée au Japon pour organiser l’espace de travail est utilisée dans la fabrication pour éviter le gaspillage. L’article dévoile comment appliquer cette philosophie au nettoyage des tables de laboratoire. Резюме В производстве используется разработанный в Японии метод организации рабочего места 5S, направленный на избежание расточительного использования ресурсов. В статье показано, как эту философию можно рационально применить к практике очистки лабораторных столов. holders on the work bench legs frees up workspace and keeps cleaning fluids easily accessible – meaning less time spent looking for the appropriate fluid. Seiso / Shine Shine refers to cleaning. Everything must be clean, tidy, and neatly stored in its place. How can the PCB or components be clean if the benchtop you are working from isn’t? If a benchtop is covered in dirt and dust, it will negatively affect the cleaning process and exacerbate other problems like electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD is a major cause of PCB failure and is estimated to cause a third of PCB losses. It occurs when a board comes in contact with an object with the opposite electrical charge and creates an ESD spike, This damages boards and their sensitive electronic components. While it is impossible to prevent or eliminate all ESD, some practical ways to reduce it during SMT (surface mount technology) production include keeping the benchtop clean. Many work surfaces and tools used to assemble, clean and test PCBs hold static charges. It is important to dissipate the charges and remove the dirt by wiping down all tools and surfaces with pre-saturated, ESD-reducing cleaning wipes. ESD wipes are formulated to remove grime, grease and fingerprints without leaving lint, residue or static charges behind. They are a good general cleaner that will not dry out the ESD mats, cause fissures or leave mats brittle. Cleaning with ESD pre-saturated wipes helps ensure tools, surfaces and equipment are both clean and non-conductive. Seiketsu / Standardise This step ensures that all the progress made in the first three steps are not for nothing. By standardising these steps, 5S becomes a repeatable process that every technician follows. Creating a checklist and ensuring all workers follow the same procedures, and carry out cleaning processes correctly, will help ensure that consistent, high-quality PCB cleaning becomes standard practice. This in turn will help to reduce waste. 46 EPP Europe » 11 | 2023
PCB & ASSEMBLY « Shitsuke / Sustain Sustain is the final stage that helps technicians maintain all that has been implemented over the previous four stage. Companies must maintain the 5S procedures and update and adapt them as necessary. It is essential to involve the entire workforce in the 5S approach: the management team, those working at the PCB cleaning workbench, and staff in inspection and quality control. Regular training is a good way to keep everyone updated on the process and to ensure long-term success. The sixth ‘S’ An additional sixth step that some companies adopt when using the 5S methodology is ‘Safety’. It concentrates on eliminating workplace risks and raising standards. It is important to examine cleaning fluids and equipment and carefully review the SDS (safety data sheets) to make sure they are appropriate for usage. Advanced PCB cleaning solutions are safer for exposed employees since they are designed to be nonflammable, have better toxicity profiles, and high threshold limit values (TLVs), making them safer for users. As mentioned above, a controlled cleaning fluid dispensing system is an effective tool. Cleaning fluid is distributed through a closed aerosol system, restricting worker exposure to any gases and lowering the possibility of spillage and fire hazards. As component shortages continue, PCB manufacturers are making every part count. Ineffective PCB cleaning not only affects the quality and reliability of any electronic device but can also leave the PCB unusable. When considering PCB cleaning, look for methods like ‘5S Plus Safety’ to help to optimise the process, and reduce waste. Productronica, Booth A4.101 www.microcare.com About the author Elizabeth Norwood is a Senior Chemist at MicroCare, provider of precision cleaning solutions. She has been in the industry for more than 25 years and has a BS in Chemistry from the University of St. Joseph, Connecticut. Norwood researches, develops and tests cleaning-related products. She currently has one patent issued and two pending for her work. There are always two sides to every story! New AOI system for top and bottom inspection www.viscom.com Booth A2.177 NEW 3D AOI EPP Europe » 11 | 2023 47
