Hi Richard Ken is talking about using them within the conformal coating application, as an alternative to tape or other means of masking an area such as a connector. We use them on production of > 200 / CCA year as the labour savings offset the cost of the boots. To answer Ken's questions: 1) multiple use? Absolutely - it wouldn't make sense as single use. After the coating has cured you can flex the boot and the coating peels off. 2) no ESD issues, the caps / boots are made of ESD safe (conductive) materials. 3) stop using them when they are damaged - we've got a bunch that have been used > 100 times each and they are all OK still - so I'm not sure what the lifespan is. We bought enough to process a good size batch at a time - 50 of each connector type. That way we can fire them through the coating robot without slowing down to re-use caps right away. 4) cost trade will obviously depend on your labour costs, and what the particular cap will cost. It made sense for us on some products, but for very low rate stuff - not economically sensible. Also not cost justified where we have oddball connectors and would have to pay some tooling costs. regards, Graham Collins Process Engineer, L-3 Communications Electronic Systems Inc. Halifax (902) 873-2000 ext 6215 >>> [log in to unmask] 02/05/07 01:54PM >>> The boots are required on all military hardware for both ESD protection and preventing damage, unless there are contract specifications indicating otherwise. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bloomquist, Ken Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 11:49 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Humiseal Masking Tape Residues/latex peelable Graham/Steve, I've never used boots for conformal coat masking because I always thought it would be expensive. I have a couple questions regarding "Boots". Are you able to use them more than once? Are there any ESD issues? If you do use them more than once how do you know when to stop using them? Have you done any cost trade studies? Thanks, KennyB -----Original Message----- From: Graham Collins [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 9:20 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Humiseal Masking Tape Residues/latex peelable Hi Guy There is (in addition to CAPLUGS that Steve referred to) Kinnarney Rubber Co. They make some standard and will also do custom stuff. http://www.kinnarney.com/ regards, Graham Collins Process Engineer, L-3 Communications Electronic Systems Inc. Halifax (902) 873-2000 ext 6215 --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------