In printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, the selection of cleaning fluids and equipment is a critical decision that can significantly affect both the quality of the final product and the overall cost-effectiveness of the manufacturing operation. As procurement professionals, the responsibility of mitigating risks associated with these selections falls squarely on your shoulders.
Elizabeth Norwood, Senior Chemist at MicroCare, LLC, delves into the key considerations you should evaluate when sourcing cleaning fluids and equipment, ensuring that you make informed decisions that contribute to high-quality PCB cleaning and cost-effective manufacturing.
Understanding the importance of cleaning fluids
Whether manually cleaning or batch cleaning using a non-aqueous vapor degreaser, the cleaning fluids play a crucial role in PCB manufacturing. They remove flux residues, oils, and other manufacturing contaminants that, if left unchecked, can cause PCB defects such as corrosion, short circuits, and conformal coating adhesion failures. The choice of cleaning fluids, therefore, directly affects the reliability, functionality, and longevity of the PCBs. Ensuring PCB reliability through the selection of proper cleaning fluids is essential for maintaining product performance and customer satisfaction.
Key considerations for sourcing cleaning fluids
Compatibility with PCB materials:
- Substrate and component safety: ensure that the cleaning fluid is compatible with the materials used in your PCBs, including substrates, components, and solder masks. Incompatible fluids, especially those with a high Kb (Kauri-Butanol) value can damage sensitive components, leading to latent product failures or costly reworks
- Residue removal efficiency: the cleaning fluid should effectively remove all residues without leaving behind harmful remnants, especially white residue, which could affect the performance of the PCB
Environmental and safety regulations:
- Compliance and regulations: procurement professionals must ensure that the cleaning fluids follow all local and international environmental and safety regulations. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and damage to the company’s reputation
- Health and safety: evaluate the safety profile of the cleaning fluids for exposed workers. Fluids that are toxic or pose significant health risks should be avoided or overseen with stringent safety measures
Cleaning process compatibility:
- Equipment compatibility: the selected cleaning fluids should be compatible with the existing cleaning equipment in your manufacturing facility. This avoids the need for costly equipment upgrades or replacements
- Process integration: the cleaning fluids should integrate seamlessly into your current cleaning processes, ensuring that they do not disrupt the manufacturing flow or require extensive process modifications
Cost considerations:
- Total cost of ownership: consider the total cost of ownership of the cleaning fluids, which includes not just the purchase price but also the costs associated with storage, handling, waste disposal, and potential health and safety measures
- Long-term cost efficiency: evaluate the long-term cost efficiency of the cleaning fluids. Sometimes, higher initial costs can be justified by lower consumption rates, reduced waste generation, and fewer health and safety issues
Supplier reliability & support:
- Reputation and history: when selecting PCB cleaning fluids, choose suppliers with a proven record and good reputation in the industry. Reliable suppliers provide consistent product quality and are more likely to offer technical support and training
- Technical support and training: good suppliers should offer comprehensive technical support and training to ensure that your PCB fabricators can use the cleaning fluids effectively and safely
Mitigating risks through early consideration
Addressing these considerations early in the procurement process helps mitigate several risks:
Quality risks:
- Avoiding product failures: by ensuring compatibility and effectiveness of cleaning fluids, you reduce the risk of product failures due to contamination or residue issues
- Consistent quality: early consideration helps maintain consistent quality in PCB manufacturing, ensuring that every batch meets both the required internal and external standards
Regulatory and compliance risks:
- Avoiding fines & penalties: ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations avoids the risk of fines and legal penalties
Operational risks:
- Smooth integration: considering equipment and process compatibility early ensures that the selected cleaning fluids integrate smoothly into the existing manufacturing setup, avoiding surprises, disruptions and downtime
- Cost management: evaluating total cost of ownership and long-term cost efficiency helps manage the budget more effectively, avoiding unexpected expenses
Supply chain risks:
- Reliable supply: choosing dependable suppliers reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions, ensuring that you have a consistent supply of effective cleaning fluids
- Support and training: suppliers that offer good support and training help mitigate risks associated with improper use or handling of the cleaning fluids
Making informed decisions
To make informed decisions, procurement professionals should:
Conduct thorough research:
- Market analysis: perform a comprehensive analysis of the available cleaning fluids and equipment in the market. Compare their specifications, performance, and cost-effectiveness
- Peer reviews and case studies: look into peer reviews and case studies to understand how various products have performed in similar manufacturing settings
Engage in testing and evaluation:
- Pilot testing: conduct pilot tests of the cleaning fluids in your facility to evaluate their performance and compatibility with your processes. This is where a good supplier can also help. Some can do in-lab testing on your supplied parts and contaminants to ensure the cleaning fluid is suitable
- Feedback from production teams: involve production teams in the evaluation process to get their feedback on the usability and effectiveness of the cleaning fluids
Develop strong supplier relationships:
- Partnership approach: approach supplier relationships as partnerships. Collaborate closely with suppliers to understand their products and get the best possible support
- Continuous improvement: engage in continuous improvement practices with your suppliers to ensure that the cleaning fluids and processes evolve with changing requirements and technologies
Conclusion
In the field of PCB manufacturing, the selection of cleaning fluids and equipment is a critical decision that can significantly affect product quality and operational costs. By considering key factors such as compatibility, regulatory compliance, cost, and supplier reliability, and by addressing these factors early in the procurement process, procurement professionals can mitigate risks and make informed decisions. This initiative-taking approach not only ensures high-quality PCB cleaning but also contributes to more cost-effective and efficient manufacturing operations. Ensuring PCB reliability, functionality, and longevity through meticulous selection and evaluation of cleaning fluids ultimately supports the production of dependable and high-performance products, bolstering both customer satisfaction and the company’s reputation.
This article originally appeared in the September issue of Procurement Pro.
