The Science Lab
A Closer Look at the Importance of Stencil Cleaning
Most solder defects, some estimate up to 70%, can be attributed to the stencil printing process. This means that having a clean stencil can be critical.
As PCB assemblies become denser and miniaturization drives electronic component size ever smaller, the more important it has become that solder paste deposits and volume transfer are consistent and reproducible from board to board in the printing process. A number of factors can negatively affect these important attributes. For example, proper solder paste transfer efficiency is especially critical for small pad features, because it reduces defects due to poor solder joints. In this case, solder paste builds up onto the aperture walls and bottom side of the stencil over time leading to insufficient or inconsistent transfer onto the pads. Periodic cleaning of the built-up paste with a KYZEN stencil cleaning fluid designed for your application will improve print quality and process yield.
Depending on your manufacturing process needs, choosing the best stencil cleaning method can be key. Whether it is manual (handwipe), on printer (under stencil wipe) or an off-line cleaning machine process KYZEN will work with you to make sure you get the best solder print and placement. In fact, our experts have taken the time to host a collection of presentations taking a deeper dive into this topic! You can find a playlist of their videos below. Additionally, you can download our free cutsheet explaining the best chemistries for stencil cleaning.
Watch the SMT Stencil Cleaning Series here or Download the stencil cleaning cutsheet here
Why Your Inline Process Needs AQUANOX A4382
Consistent cleaning underneath components with low gaps including QFN’s, BGAs, and chip caps is imperative to avoid flux contamination. Skipping this could result in a very costly field failure.
In the latest case study conducted by our KYZEN Clean Team, we set out to discover if using our award-winning AQUANOX A4382 with lower surface tension and better solubility will improve cleaning underneath AVX component devices.
The goal was to ensure that the chemistry was a consistent and reliable final product that would improve both reliability and throughput, while reducing rework and warranty liability.
Read the case study here
The Care Corner
Meet Your Regional Manager
Kevin Buckner – Southwest Regional Manager
Originally hailing from Frimley Green in the United Kingdom, Kevin now resides in San Antonio, TX with his wife, Kelly. They have been married for over 30 years. These two love birds met in college while she was a cheerleader and he played football. They have two children, Katelynn and Kyle, and one son-in-law, Justin. Kevin began his college career at Mt. San Antonio JC in Walnut, CA and then moved on to Pacific University in Forrest Grove, OR. Kevin is a very proud father and soon-to-be G-paw to his first granddaughter due in November! In his free time, he enjoys fly fishing, playing golf, and spending time at the range shooting targets, trap and skeet. A few interesting facts about Kevin are: After living in the US for 41 years, he was finally granted citizenship last year. His daughter has two national championships for cheerleading and his son has a Rose Bowl football championship. He has also toured the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. If you have any questions for Kevin, do not hesitate to reach out. He will be more than happy to help!
Ethan Mueller – Midwest Regional Manager
Born and raised in Central Wisconsin, Ethan has been with KYZEN for the past three years. He attended the University of Wisconsin’s Seven Point where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Ethan is a proud father to his daughter, River, and his newborn son, Hollis. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, trout fishing, and mountain biking. A few fun facts about Ethan: 1) He bought his first home in Ellsworth, WI back in 2020. 2) If he could live anywhere, he says he would be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (he’s had an out-of-state fishing license for Michigan since he was 16). 3) His most embarrassing memory is singing Yankee Doodle Dandy at a karaoke festival in Japan when he was 10 but nobody cheered. We assure you his skills in the cleaning industry are better than his singing skills! Be sure to reach out to Ethan with any questions you may have.
25 Years of Process Care Products
For 25 years, KYZEN has proudly supported customers all over the globe with our process care products. These products were created specifically to reduce chemical emissions and rinse water recycling to help minimize your environmental footprint while still being cost-effective.
Find out which product might be the right fit for your process by viewing what we have to offer below:
- KYZEN Process Control System
- The first and only concentration monitoring and control system in the world with comprehensive ANALYST Data Services. The KYZEN PCS controls, monitors and automatically reacts to the dynamic changes in the wash bath concentration so you don’t have to.
- KYZEN KAPTURE
- Reducing your environmental footprint during the cleaning process is exactly what we had in mind when developing KYZEN KAPTURE. This environmentally friendly recycling system separates soils from the solvent during the degreasing cleaning process. By continuously removing contaminants during normal operation, KAPTURE enhances the overall solvent quality and keeps production interruptions to a minimum.
- KYZEN ANALYST
- The world’s first real-time, automatic concentration analytics system designed for all chemistries, not just a few.
- KYZEN ANALYST Data Services
- Real-time access, traceability, advanced data analytics, user-friendly, customizable dashboards and alerts all come together in the most comprehensive, data reporting platform.
- Chem Control Kit Type II
- The kit comes with everything you need to confirm your process is within the proper operating parameters, including a custom KYZEN Flask with stopper, KYZEN Type II Reagent, a 125ml plastic beaker and cleaning brush.
- Handheld Refractometers
- The ATAGO® Pocket Pal-1 and Sper® Scientific Refractometer are the two portable handheld refractometers recommended by KYZEN for determining the concentration of certain aqueous cleaning solutions.
- KYZEN Acid Stabilizer Kits (ASK)
- KYZEN’s Acid Stabilizer Kits contain everything you need to ensure you have the proper amount of KYZEN Booster products in your wash bath to neutralize acidic materials.
- KYZEN Chemtroller
- A reliable and simple to use automated chemical control system that works on a special water-driven proportioning pump. Easy to install, the KYZEN Chemtroller requires no electricity or compressed air connections as the incoming water pressure powers the positive displacement pump. The KYZEN Chemtroller is a high-quality stainless-steel chemical proportioner that is compatible with all KYZEN chemistries.
- KYZEN Conductivity Control System (CCS)
- Improve performance and quality today by using the KYZEN Conductivity Control System (CCS) that allows you to maintain an accurate chemistry concentration throughout your cleaning process.
- Oakton Con 6+ Conductivity Meter
- KYZEN’s Oakton Con 6+ Conductivity Meter is a microprocessor-based handheld meter that measures conductivity and temperature to help determine the concentration of chemistry in the wash bath
Whatever your cleaning process goals are, we are here to help! Please reach out to any of our cleaning experts for more information on how you can take advantage of these products and more. To see a full list of our process care products, visit here.
The Five Forces of Cleaning and How They Apply to You
Cleaning is a common operation in all walks of life. Everyone relies on their internal “clock” to guide them close to the same time and effort every time during their daily or weekly cleaning routines. We clean the bathroom in our house, we clean the dishes we used for dinner last night, and we clean our cars.
Each of these cleaning “processes” is very different: some manual, some automatic, some use high pressure, others soak. However, what if you are teaching someone else or have a special process that needs a high level of precision to be successful, like a manufacturing process? You can’t rely on “motor memory.” You need a detailed, precise process for cleaning. Just what are the pieces that need to be known, specified, and followed to ensure a proper manufacturing process?
To find out about these cleaning processes, read more here or Watch Global Marketing Manager, Sherry Stepp, discuss this topic in her Tech 2 Tech here.
Where's KYZEN?
Connect with our Cleaning Experts at the following events.
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Tech 2 Tech Events
- Electronics Cleaning Process Control – Which Method is Right for You?
I have choices?| by Will Sweet
Sept 9, 2021
- Registration Opening Soon: Tips and Tricks for Your Inline Washer
Get the most from your cleaning process! | by Eric Bromley
Sept 16, 2021
- Registration Opening Soon: How Are You Cleaning Krytox?
Is there a better way? | by Joe McChesney
Sept 30, 2021
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Live Events
- SMTA Ohio
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Aug 25 | Holiday Inn Strongsville, Strongsville, OH
- SMTA Wisconsin
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Sept 14 | Milwaukee Crowne Plaza, Milwaukee, WI
- Empire SMTA Expo
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Sept 28 | RIT Inn Conference Center, Rochester, NY
- SMTA Tampa
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Oct 5 | Florida State Grounds, Tampa, FL
- FabTech
Booth #D45263
Sept 13-16 | McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- Cleaning and Coating Expo
Oct 5-6 | DoubleTree Hilton, Dallas, TX
- Space Coast Expo
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Oct 7 | Melbourne Auditorium, Melbourne, FL
- SMTA Long Island
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Oct 13 | Marriot Melville Long Island, Melville, NY
- SMTA CTEA Expo
KYZEN Cleaning Experts On-Site!
Oct 19 | Norris Conference Center, Austin, TX
- SMTAI
Booth #3325
Nov 1-4 | Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
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