We also use an ultrasonic spray fluxer and no clean solder and fluxes.
What material is being used for the pallet?  We are using Delmat or ECP
material.  We have not had any fume problems.  In the past we used a G-10
of G-11 material and this material did break down with high use.


Sincerely,
Andrew Kettlewell
Onan Power Electronics
St Peter, MN.,USA
[log in to unmask]




"Burtt, Nigel" <[log in to unmask]> on 08/10/98 09:13:41 AM

Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum." <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond
      to "Burtt, Nigel" <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Andrew G Kettlewell/PGG/Cummins)
Subject:  [TN] Fumes and wavesoldering pallets




We have a problem with obectionable fumes coming off our wavesoldering
pallets as they leave the soldering machine cabinet. We operate a
machine with a spray-fluxer and use no-clean fluxes. The machine and
fixed extraction are regularly maintained and meet or exceed the defined
minimum process specifications. No-one from the machine manufacturer,
the flux suppliers or pallet manufacturers have been able to suggest a
way around this problem. It appears to be a result of a build-up of flux
residues on the undersides of the pallets, coupled with a gradual
softening and leaching of the bonding agent of the pallet material which
in turn makes the pallets more porous and thus retain more flux residue.


So far we have tackled the problem in a variety of ways without
eliminating it:

(1) we have added a fan to the machine which helps to draw the fumes
from the underside of the pallets back into the machine cabinet

(2) we clean the fixtures regularly using a dedicated domestic
dishwasher

(3) we replace high usage pallets more frequently and treat aging
pallets with a PTFE dry-film lubricant

(4) we swapped to a different pallet supplier who apply a special
surface coating

(5) we continue to trial different fluxes

We would be happy to share our experience with others who have seen this
problem


Nigel Burtt
Production Engineering Manager
D - European HQ
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 01793 842132
Fax: 01793 842101

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