Kerry Microsolve Delivers Low Running Costs for PCB Cleaning

Guyson International is now providing medium to high volume PCB assemblers, a range of Kerry ultrasonic precision cleaning systems that deliver low running costs.

The Kerry Microsolve Co-solvent systems achieves cleanliness standards to specifications including BS, IPC [Institute for Printed Circuits], ESA [European Space Agency] and MIL SPEC. The co-solvent process defluxes all types of PCBs, assembled and reworked, removes no-clean solder flux residues, and eliminates the white deposits associated with traditional single solvent and water-based detergent processes.

The standard Kerry co-solvent system has two ultrasonic, heated cleaning stages equipped with continuous filtration. In the first stage a mixture of HFE (hydrofluoroether) solvent and a hydrocarbon solvating agent removes gross contamination. Large quantities of flux and general contamination can be taken up by the solvating agent, making the process particularly suitable for high volume cleaning with minimal tank maintenance. In the second stage pure HFE solvent removes residues carried over from the first cleaning tank. Vapour rinsing follows, then freeboard drying.

Ultrasonic power is provided on the larger systems by the flexible Guysonic generator with Primewave controller, this device enables sensitive or intricately shaped parts to be effectively cleaned at higher frequencies of 70, 128 or 194 kHz. Primewave can also be used to power the two separate stages of a Kerry Microsolve, at different frequencies. Thus stage one could run 36kHz and stage two 66kHz for final cleaning or rinsing.

For certain aerospace applications where ultrasonics may not be used, the co-solvent process can clean without sonics, instead using the ‘rolling boil’ agitation and properties of the co-solvent mixture to achieve requisite cleanliness standards.

The Kerry Microsolve range delivers low and predictable running costs thanks to intelligent machine design coupled with a highly effective reflux cooling system, vapour break and a deep freeboard zone, all of which help to minimise expensive solvent loss. An optional automatic HFE top-up system logs the rate of solvent usage. This device has demonstrated a total consumption of only 2.4 litres over a 7-day test of a high capacity co-solvent unit. Some PCB cleaning customers are averaging less than 2% HFE solvent usage per week.

To ensure consistent, repeatable quality whilst increasing throughput it is recommended to specify a system with an Autotrans work transfer systems. These also contribute to cost reductions by controlling the speed of basket movement through the vapour zone, thus reducing solvent drag-out caused by disturbance of the vapour blanket. All Autotrans transporters can integrate with feed and exit conveyors or load and unload tables for fully automatic operation.

Prospective user of Guyson's Kerry automated ultrasonic precision cleaning systems are encouraged to submit sample components for free feasibility testing to the companies extensive development workshop at Skipton, England.

About Guyson
Guyson International Limited is a privately owned family company with a world-wide reputation for excellence in the design and manufacture of blast finishing, spray wash and ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Formed over 70 years ago, the company is registered to BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 and its head office is located at Skipton, North Yorkshire, in the north of England. Guyson has four international subsidiary companies: Guyson Corporation of the USA, located in Saratoga Springs, New York State; Guyson SA, situated in Paris, France; Guyson Sdn Bhd in Penang; and Guyson CN, in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.

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