Cleaner Solutions

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  3. Aquastorm 200 SST In-line PCB Cleaner

Aquastorm 200 SST In-line PCB Cleaner

  • The Aquastorm is considered the industry's best for precision cleaning, performance, quality construction and life cycle durability.  Combined with innovative features and technologies, the Aquastorm PCB cleaning machines continue to be the industry leader and benchmark for cleaners in the industry.

  • The Aquastorm utilizes technology based solutions that deliver dynamic energy at the PCB surface to effectively clean under low stand-off and difficult to clean components.

  • All process parameters are configured in the Aquastorms computer-controlled operator interface.  Data logging and barcode capability are features that enhance and stremline the product process.

Overview

As high-reliability PCBs become miniaturized, denser, and more complex, board assemblers are seeking ways to increase board level reliability; cleaning is seen as a process solution.  Additionally, the importance of cleaning electronic assemblies increases dramatically in lead-free soldering applications. 

The Electrovert® Aquastorm™ series PCB cleaning machines are designed to provide complete cleaning process flexibility, superior cleaning and drying performance, process monitoring, and reliability.  The Electrovert approach is to provide the market with a range of Aquastorm series cleaners that utilize technologies that exceed cleaning and drying expectations.  

Benefits and Features

The Aquastorm 200 Solution

The Electrovert Aquastorm is a versatile, high performance cleaning system designed to optimize the PCB cleaning process while minimizing overall cost.  Aquastorm features the most advanced cleaning technologies in an energy-efficient design.  The Aquastorm 200 Stainless Steel is the ultimate in process flexibility and performance.  The dual wash tank design allows dual chemistry mode, combo DI and chemistry mode, and/or a combined 2.75 meters (9 feet) of a dynamic wash section.

Advanced Cleaning Technology

The Aquastorm utilizes technology based solutions that deliver dynamic energy at the PCB surface to effectively clean under low stand-off and difficult to clean components.  The key is leading edge spray technologies that are used within the fluid delivery systems for both wash and rinse cycles.

Innovative Drying Performance

Efficient and complete drying is crucial to the cleaning process.  An effective drying system will increase throughput, provide cost savings, and boards can go straight to test or conformal coating.  The high-performing Torrid Zone™ is standard on the Aquastorm 200 Stainless Steel.

Advanced User Interface

The Aquastorm is configured with a Windows® based operating system that provides familiar pull-down menus, includes data logging, and has barcode capability. The system is easily networked for down-loading of recipes and remote access to operating data.  Important cleaning parameters such as flows, pressures, and temperatures are easily displayed on the GUI.

Special and Industrial Cleaning Applications

In today’s business environment it is important to partner with suppliers who are willing to work on special applications and who are committed to providing process solutions.  Contact Electrovert if you have a special product or application and are interested in finding a specialized solution.

Enhanced Technology

Mixed Spray Technology

The clear advantage of the Aquastorm cleaners is the ability to deliver a combination of chemistry, thermal, and mechanical forms of energy at the PCB surface. Aquastorm utilizes mixed spray technologies including high-impact force for tight spaces, scillating action for low pressure applications and complete flooding action for high pressure applications. Jet Impact Cleaning with omni-directional spray patterns greatly improves cleaning under low-standoff components, and eliminates shadowing effects. Chemical Isolation provides optimal process separation and minimizes chemistry consumption.

Drying Performance

The Torrid Zone drying system continues to set the benchmark in drying performance and capability.  Electrovert’s patented Torrid Zone convection drying delivers a controlled dynamic process that effectively removes moisture from the PCB.  Typical performance includes drying complex assemblies to within .1g of prewash weight.

Cost Saving Advantages

Aquastorm in-line cleaners offer several integrated design features that save chemistry and electrical power.

  • Automatic stand-by mode:  The integrated automatic stand-by mode is standard within the Aquastorm in-line cleaners.  This feature will automatically shut down pumps and blowers when PCBs are not being processed.  The in-line cleaner will automatically start each pump and blower via an incoming photo cell detector as the PCBs enter the appropriate section of the cleaning module.  This significantly saves power and chemistry consumption.
  • 5 micron by-pass filter:  An integrated filtration system continuously filters the wash batch fluid through a 5 micron filter.  This helps filter the wash bath and extend the life of the fluid.
  • Integrated exhaust plenum and demister:  Aquastorm in-line cleaners utilize an integrated exhaust plenum that effectively balances the intakes of the exhaust ports within the cleaner.  The exhaust plenum combined with the integrated demister ensures that exhaust is minimized which effectively saves on chemistry consumption.
  • Torrid Zone Drying:  The Torrid Zone drying system is designed to maximize the balance between thermal and mechanical energy within the drying process.  The integrated design has proven to consume up to 40% less power over conventional drying systems. 
  • Commonality across Electrovert Platforms:  Electrovert has focused on utilizing common materials, common I/O, and GUI software processes across all product platforms (wave, reflow, and cleaning).  This provides cost savings in the form of spare parts (materials and I/O system) and significant savings on training of operators, engineers, and maintenance technicians (GUI software and I/O system).
Process Flexibility and Control

The Aquastorm series cleaners are designed to provide maximum in process flexibility and capability. 

  • Mixed spray technologies:  Spray bars, manifolds, and pumps can be configured to provide the greatest amount of process flexibility and performance.
  • Torrid Zone drying:  The drying capability of Torrid Zone will ensure that both your current and future board designs will be dried within the cleaning system.
  • De-flux and misprint cleaning:  The Aquastorm misprint feature allows the ability to de-flux side A and clean the side B misprint at the same time without re-depositing solder spheres onto the PCB (see technical paper case study)
  • Integrated chemistry concentration monitoring capability:  The Aquastorm now offers software integrated chemistry concentration monitoring.  All chemistry concentration parameters (percentages with user-defined alarm functions) are integrated into the machine software.  All parameters are data logged for traceability and trending capabilities.  Only available for specific chemistry types and brands.
  • Straight DI to Chemistry: The machine is designed to easily convert from straight DI to a chemistry application.
  • Field upgrades - Electrovert always evaluates the feasibility of the technologies to be offered as a field upgrade. This allows existing users the opportunity to upgrade a current piece of equipment with new technologies. Check with your local sales representative on availability of new technologies as field upgrades.
Other Value Based Features
  • In-line features for small light-weight products (i.e.: mobile phone and semi-conductor type products) in-line
  • Chemistry sampling port
  • Digital flow meters
  • Integrated sump tank with effluent transfer