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Answers To User Posted Questions:
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Electronics Assembly |
Question: I want to wash reclaimed ICs. To do this i want to use an
Posted On: 03/22/2012
Answer: I assume that the IC's are ESD Sensitive? Are you looking to batch clean a bunch at a time or one by one. Are you looking for an ionized air wash or by water / detergent scrub. We have Hepa Clean Chambers that blow ionized air and source capture the debris, but we do not have water wash systems. How you handle the IC's will determine our recommendation. It could be as simple as a motion sensor actived Zapp Nozzle or a Hepa Clean Chamber. Contact me if you want to get into specifics.
Regards
Jim Patterson. |
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Clean Room Systems |
Question: Do you provide clean rooms for plastics?Wht knds of plstcs?
Posted On: 02/21/2012
Answer: Static, as you already know is a problem that causes plastic to become electrically charged to the point of attracting particles. There are two trains of thought regarding making the process cleaner. The first is to use the right ionizers in the right location to negate any static build-up. The second method is to make the manufacturing process or a critical part of the process or equipment a Clean Room. The combination of ionization and creating a clean space is the best approach. We can offer soft wall,rigid walls or full build-out, but most plastics customers use a soft wall that is specific to their physical constraints.We've installed clean rooms on web-based plastic converting applications and have done even more work on Injection Molding and Thermo-forming lines. I am confident that if we had a few more details, we can provide a budgetary number. You can connect with me via email jim@staticclean.com
Our company has been helping companies since 1973 and me personally since 1983. Let us know if you have any more questions |
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Other |
Question: I have static electricity terrible in my microfiber couch, is there anything to be done to get it out?
Posted On: 01/05/2012
Answer: I've had the same problem with my couch, car seats and carpeting generating huge amounts of static electricity on my body. The result is that a shock occurs when you touch metal such as a door knob. There are topical treatments available in the form of sprays that work well and one treatment will usually work for an entire winter when the air is dry. The topical antistats are clean and safe to use. Some antistats are better than others. The one we recommend is fairly inexpensive and in an email, I will send you spec sheets. Basically topical antistats work in the same way that cling free or bounce work in your clothes dryer. Thanks for the question. |
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Other |
Question: I'm trying to put together my own ESD static strap with alligator clips on each end. Can a simple copper conductor suit well as a ESD cable?
Posted On: 11/15/2011
Answer: You can certainly use copper or any conductor to create a ground strap. If you were in the business of handline solvent based chemicals, a hard ground such as copper wire or similar with clamps or monster alligator clips on each side is common. In those instances, you are talking about high levels of static that can cause ignition. However, if you are handling sensitive electronic devices, pcb's or sub-assemblies, it is important to have a controlled rate of discharge or static dissipation. For example, 10/6th - 10/8th ohms is ideal for most esd programs. This is accomplished in wrist straps by a meg ohm resistor, which is a million ohms. If you inlcude a resistor for safety to operators and the rate of static dissipative and the bare copper touches something that is sensitive and you are trying to protect, you will have bypassed the built-in resistance and have a rapid discharge. Sometimes the heat that is generated by the fast discharge can cause damage in some electronic components. Remember, voltage always takes the path of least restiance, but if there is no operator intervention and the bare copper ground cord is secured in a way that will not touch the electronics it might be okay. You can call to discuss further and explain the set-up. |
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Other |
Question: What are the life expectancies of your ionizing guns and blowers?
Posted On: 10/12/2011
Answer: The life expectancy depend on a number of factors including the design of the gun, if filtration is being used and if the power is AC or DC. If you provide a model of the guns or blowers in question, we can narrow down the response, but in light of that information, we can make a few comments. All ionizers work on the premise of putting high voltage on a sharp emitter whether AC or DC. Over time, the emitter require cleaning. Without maintenance, the ability of the ionizer to decay static charge is greatly reduced. The same is true for guns and blowers. As debris builds on the emitter, it can carbonize and eventually the emitter will become dull. High voltage on a sharp point will create the most ions. You could also have a total failure of an ionizing device and this is normally caused by a transformer/power supply malfunction or a completely dead transformer. A field meter friction test is a good way to check for this problem. There are more long winded answers and if you wish to correspond further, you can call our office or write via email @ jim@staticclean.com |
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Other |
Question: I work for the US Postal Service and have been trying to figure a way to remove static electricity from the actual mail. Although our machines that process mail are adequately grounded, the mail itself (plastic coated, slick postcards and the like) build up static which causes them to cling together during processing. I have researched the triboelectric theory and see some possible flaws in the design of processors, however, I am sure there must be a cost effective way to correct this problem without redesigning the machines. Is there someone I could communicate with on the subject? Thank you,Lindy FarrisSMO USPSFort Myers, Fl
Posted On: 08/11/2011
Answer: Linda,
Thanks for the question. Are you running Pitney Bowes sorting machines. That is one of the brands that we are familiar with and have visited their CT facility to consult on static issues. PB and others have used grounding as the front line of defense and the second line has been static brushes at various points of contact and separation in the machinery. Unfortunately if the mail is stuck together, it is difficult to get separation with static brushes which we call passive devices. An active device placed at critical points in sorting and colating machines will help. You are correct to look at the tribocharging scale, but unless we change the behavior of all USPS customers into using paper and eliminate plastic and plastic coatings, it is an updhill battle to control static, especially in the Winter Months. I will write more to your email address and get a dialog going back and forth with ideas that will help. Thanks.
Jim Patterson
President
Static Clean |
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Electronics Assembly |
Question: We manufacture ceramic circuit boards. Gold or silver ink pattern is printed on ceramic tape. Ceramic tape has ceramic particles dispersed in polymeric binder. We remove dust, silver and gold particles by wiping the printed ceramic tape wirh foam wipe. Is there a non contact way to remove these undesirable particles.
Posted On: 05/31/2011
Answer: We understand your industry quite well and the most widely accepted method to clean ceramic substrates is with contact cleaners, especially the tacky type of systems where particles are picked up by a elastomer roll and transfered to a sticky roll. Depending on how small the micron size of your particle are from the process, you can achieve success with a non-contact blow and vac design. It comes down to the micron size of the particles, and whether they is mechanical adhesion taking place. Our company has ionizing air knives for contamination control, but no vacuum is associate with ionizing air knives. The automobile industry uses air knives for getting rid of debris prior to paint being applied to autos. We do have a WebVAC Systems that blows off particles and source captures them at the same time. If you want to discuss even further, you can contact me jim@staticclean.com |
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Plastics |
Question: HOW CAN I REMOVE STATIC ELECRICITY FROM A SMALL SHOP DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM THAT USES PVC PIPE AS DUCTWORK
Posted On: 05/05/2011
Answer: If you are running abrasive materials through PVC pipe, the plastic pipe will build up static charges. This is called tribocharging, simply meaning static that is generated by contact and separation as material flows through the pipe. Look at the world as being made of only two materials. Metal and Plastic. Metal being a conductor and plastic being an insulator. You can't ground a piece of plastic, but you can ground metal, which will conduct the static electricity away. The best solution is to change your pipe/ducting to metal. Aluminum, carbon steel or stainless will all reduce the static electricity. It does not reduce static on the material on the inside of the pipe, but it should reduce static levels to below discharge or arc over conditions and provide a place for internal static to dissipate. We would need to learn more about you materials and the specific application to make additional recommendations. |
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Static Clean International: Corporate Address: 15 Adams St | Burlington, MA 01803 | Tel: 781-229-7799 - TOLL FREE: 877-STATIC3 (877-782-8423)
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