Steve, I have to second Graham's Black Light suggestion. We had the same problem/learning curve in a manual coating operation I ran. The Coaters didn't realize coating on the pins/connectors would be a problem. Sometimes they were cleaning it best they could but leaving a residue. We'd plug the assembly in for testing and it would fail. We only had to show them the assembly under blacklight once to solve the problem. Hans Integrity First - Service Before Self - Excellence in All We Do ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hans M. Hinners Electronics Engineer Warner Robins - Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC/LUGE) Special Operations Forces System Program Office (SOF - SPO) Gunship Team 226 Cochran Street Robins AFB GA 31098-1622 mailto:[log in to unmask] Com: (478) 926 - 5224 Fax: (478) 926 - 4911 DSN Prefix: 468 -----Original Message----- From: Graham Naisbitt [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 2:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Color additives for conformal coat Steve Then my best recommendation is to use the black-light in a suitable inspection chamber. This will show exactly where the coating is and isn't. We have special units for this, but if you want details, please let me know off-line. Regards, Graham Naisbitt [log in to unmask] www.concoat.co.uk <http://www.concoat.co.uk> For instant access to Product Data Sheets register on the Tech-Shot area of http:// www.concoat.co.uk <http://www.concoat.co.uk> Concoat Limited Alasan House, Albany Park CAMBERLEY GU16 7PH UK Phone: +44 (0)1276 691100 Fax: +44 (0)1276 691227 Mobile: +44 (0)79 6858 2121 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Stephen S. Schiera Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 06:46 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Color additives for conformal coat Graham, My understanding is that the customer has had problems in the past with a supplier coating connector pins and is looking for a means to poke-a-yoke this step for this new board. It does not have to be opaque per say, since their intent is to look for coverage and excess on the pins. Thanks for the information. Steve -----Original Message----- From: Graham Naisbitt [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 12:20 PM To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask] Subject: RE: [TN] Color additives for conformal coat Steve Adding anything to the coating after approvals testing will negate its qualification / approval status. Why does the customer want a color? Does he want it to be opaque? We have experimented with pigments and some of them work - what color would you like? However, they do cause a major problem for the manufacturer, because that color does not go easily away for subsequent batches. More particularly, adding pigments can disturb the dielectrical and other protective characteristics that might be desirable. Check this before you jump. If we are talking opaque - then we have to add fillers. These greatly influence the moisture protection that you DO want from the coating because they cause an easier path for moist air / water to move through the film. This is not good and is why the US military called for the use of UV tracers. If the customer is trying to hide something - forget it! We can remove any coating with enough time, patience and enthusiasm! Hope this helps. Regards, Graham Naisbitt [log in to unmask] www.concoat.co.uk <http://www.concoat.co.uk> For instant access to Product Data Sheets register on the Tech-Shot area of http:// www.concoat.co.uk <http://www.concoat.co.uk> Concoat Limited Alasan House, Albany Park CAMBERLEY GU16 7PH UK Phone: +44 (0)1276 691100 Fax: +44 (0)1276 691227 Mobile: +44 (0)79 6858 2121 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Stephen S. Schiera Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 03:29 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Color additives for conformal coat I have a current request from a customer for a conformal coat that has a visible coloring agent such as "red or blue". We currently use an acrylic coating with a UV trace and UL approval. Does anyone use or know of visible color traces for coatings? Thanks in advance Steve --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------