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Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner

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Bruno Lalonde

#39442

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Hello I�m looking for a ultrasonic stencil cleaner, maybe you guys can give me good and inexpensive brand. I�m also concerned about the waste, how do we treat it for the respect of the environment. Thanks

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RDR

#39444

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

I would recopmmend contacting Aqueous technologies or Smart Sonic along with other Mfgrs. They will be best suited to evaluate your needs.

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clay

#39445

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Hi Bruno,

I am an equipment reseller in business since 1994. I have a Smart Sonic MG3000 ultra sonic stencil cleaner in inventory. It is a stainless steel model with Delta Sonics brand ultra sonic generator. It is the guillotine type that raises and lowers a stainless steel basket out of a holding tank. It is large capacity handling stencils up to 40" x 32". Unlike models that use a straight spray clean method, the ultra-sonic type allows you to use the same water over and over again which reduces your outflow of hazardous waste. You can use water alone or you can combine with Smart Sonics cleaning solution. Unit is single phase, 220 volt and has a self contained pump system to drain the tank. You can email me for more particulars and pricing if you'd like.

Environmental concerns: Since water soluable solder is simply a suspended particulate, water from the unit should be filtered before going to drain if you don't use DI water. I usually recommend a series of three filters going down from 10 micron to 7 micron to 4 micron. If you use DI water, some leaching may occur where some metal (particularly lead) literally dissolves in the water, then an RO system is called for. Sludge from any stencil cleaner needs to be disposed of as you do your excess solder paste.

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#39447

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

There are several makes of stencil cleaning equipment. The previous post mentioned, Aqueous Tech (www.aqueoustech.com). Others of long standing high reputation are EMC Global (www.emcgti.com), Austin American Technology (www.aat-corp.com), and Technical Devices (www.technicaldev.com). It is very important to consider the cleaning agents prior to purchasing the equipment. Remember, a stencil cleaning system is a good machine using a good, well matched, modern chemistry. Kyzen (www.kyzen.com) has a full line of stencil cleaning materials that will be very effective in the fine machines sold by each group mentioned previously.

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#39448

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Whatever you do, don't get a cleaner where they "lock" you into using their Saponifier! I remember at my previous company, getting that monstrosity running was my 1st project - the boob who bought it washed his hands of it and assigned it to me......anyway, it did okay with "fine scrubbing" but it never took away the large clumps of paste and the evaporator portion of it always over-flowed!

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Chunks

#39449

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Sounds like a epididymis! It depends on your paste chemistry. You can't just slap any old saponifier in there. Most water based cleaners evaporate the water and you have to remove the dried paste. It's a bit messy, maybe that's why your's is over flowing. As for clumps, why not try and salvage/reuse your paste? Letting an entire jar get washed down the tubes every turn over can be expensive. At you should try and recycle it by putting the "clumps" into a container at the printer - not letting your poor cleaner deal with it.

You should also try the all pnuematic alcohol based cleaners. Might not get the clumps off your stencil, but also do a very good job of cleaning the stencils.

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#39450

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Chunks,

Here is some good information from the archives regarding Ultrasonic Systems:

http://www.smtnet.com//forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_thread&CFApp=1&Thread_ID=3026&#Message12326

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Darnell

#39452

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Maybe at dat homie�s shop, they opted ta use Semco ridetridges instead of jars, and they didn�t gots a process put in place ta recycle da old solder paste. - aww yea foo.

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Chunks

#39458

Stencil and board Ultrasonic cleaner | 1 February, 2006

Hi Darnell!

How's it hangin bra. Good point about the cartridges. I think "the man" invented them. Anyway, you can still scoop the excess into an empty container..... Most paste companies will take your old paste back for free too. Aw-ight, word to ya mutha!

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