Tag Archives: PCB cleaning

PCB Cleanroom Wipes: Selection & Use Guide

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In the precision-demanding fields of PCB manufacturing and electronics, the choice of cleanroom wipes directly influences product quality and production environment cleanliness. This guide provides an in-depth overview of how to select and properly use cleanroom wipes specifically for PCB circuit board cleaning, covering material selection, edge finishing, size, cleanliness level, and practical usage tips.

1. Cleanroom Wipe Selection Guide

Material Selection:

  • Polyester Fiber: Most standard cleanroom wipes use 100% polyester double-knit fabric. This material offers a soft surface with low fiber shedding due to friction, suitable for general PCB cleaning tasks.

  • Ultrafine Fiber: Made from 80% polyester and 20% nylon blend, ultrafine wipes provide superior liquid absorption and are ideal for precision cleaning tasks such as chips and microprocessors, effectively removing fine particles.

Edge Finishing:

  • Laser Edge Sealing: Uses high-temperature fusion to melt fibers, reducing lint generation. Edges are relatively rigid but ensure high cleanliness, fitting most PCB cleaning scenarios.

  • Ultrasonic Edge Sealing: Offers softer edges, better for highly sensitive surfaces like optical components, though at a higher cost.

  • Avoid Raw Cut Edges: Unsealed wipes tend to shed lint, posing risk of secondary contamination.

Basis Weight and Size:

  • Basis Weight: Polyester wipes with ≥120g/m² balance absorption and durability. Ultrafine wipes with ≥120g/m² are also recommended for enhanced performance.

  • Size: Common sizes include 4″×4″, 6″×6″, and 9″×9″. Larger wipes (9″) suit broad surface cleaning, while smaller sizes are better for delicate or confined areas. The 9″ size is widely used.

Cleanliness Grade:

  • Choose wipes based on the production environment’s cleanroom class. For example, Class 100 cleanrooms require Class 100 cleanroom wipes.

Additional Features:

  • Anti-Static: Wipes with anti-static properties (often achieved via conductive fibers) prevent static buildup and dust attraction, safeguarding PCB performance. For less stringent needs, solvent-wetting can reduce static.

  • Pre-Wetted Options: Some wipes come pre-impregnated with alcohol (e.g., IPA), reducing on-site spraying. More common internationally than domestically.

2. Proper Usage of Cleanroom Wipes

Pre-Wetting:

  • Use high-purity solvents such as ≥99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or ethanol.

  • Ensure uniform wetting via controlled soaking devices to avoid overly wet or dry spots.

Unpacking Procedures:

  • Perform unpacking in Class 1000 or higher cleanroom environments, wearing cleanroom garments, gloves, and masks.

  • Wipe the outer packaging opening with a cleanroom wipe moistened with solvent to prevent external contamination.

Wiping Techniques:

  • Fold wipes to enclose edges internally, preventing lint from edges contacting PCB surfaces—especially important for ultrasonic sealed wipes which can be abrasive.

  • Use unidirectional wiping with light, consistent pressure to avoid redeposition of particles or surface scratching.

  • Adjust wiping force according to PCB surface sensitivity, with extra care on pads or sensitive areas.

Solvent Use:

  • Apply enough solvent to moisten the wipe without dripping to avoid residue from evaporation.

  • Test new solvents on small PCB areas first to confirm compatibility and avoid corrosion.

Storage and Reuse:

  • Seal unused wipes immediately to prevent dust absorption.

  • High-end wipes may be reused after cleaning with ultrapure water (18 MΩ·cm) and drying in a cleanroom; ordinary wipes are generally single-use.

3. Important Precautions

  • Wear anti-static wristbands and ensure grounded workstations to prevent ESD damage to components.

  • Avoid wiping multiple areas with the same wipe to reduce cross-contamination risks.

  • Regularly monitor cleanroom temperature and humidity.

4. Recommended Brands and Models

  • Brands: Preferably YUSTER (domestic) or TEXWIPE (international).

  • Models:

    • K122 Series: 120g basis weight, laser or ultrasonic sealed edges, suitable for PCB boards and applications involving liquids. Available in four sizes.

    • K610 Series: 180g basis weight ultrafine fiber with laser or ultrasonic sealing, excellent absorption for high-precision cleaning.

Summary

For budget-conscious scenarios, 120g laser-cut polyester wipes provide reliable cleaning. For higher requirements and budgets, 180g laser-cut ultrafine fiber wipes offer enhanced absorption and gentler cleaning for delicate PCB surfaces.

SMT Stencil Wipes: Essential for Electronics

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In surface mount technology (SMT) production, the solder stencil is a core tool enabling precise solder paste printing. However, residues such as solder paste and red glue around the stencil apertures directly affect print quality, leading to defects like solder balls and bridging. SMT solder stencil cleaning wipes, as a key consumable for stencil cleaning, play a critical role in ensuring electronic product yield and reliability. This article analyzes their material characteristics, application scenarios, and industry development trends to highlight their core industrial value.

  1. Definition and Core Functions of SMT Solder Stencil Cleaning Wipes
    SMT solder stencil cleaning wipes are dust-free wiping materials designed specifically for SMT printers to remove excess solder paste, red glue, and other contaminants from the stencil underside and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Their main functions include:

  • High-efficiency cleaning: Physically adsorbing and chemically dissolving micron-level residues to prevent contamination of stencil apertures.

  • Defect prevention: Reducing defects like shorts and missing prints in the solder paste printing process to improve PCB yield.

  • Compatibility: Suitable for various SMT printers (e.g., DEK, MPM, EKRA) to meet diverse machine cleaning requirements.

Industry statistics indicate that about 50% of SMT final defects originate from the stencil printing process. Using high-quality wipes, such as those produced by Uster — a leading domestic manufacturer offering free samples and a full range of specifications compatible with common printer brands like DEK, MPM, Panasonic, and Sony — can significantly reduce such defects. Custom non-standard sizes are also supported.

  1. Material Characteristics and Performance Requirements
    SMT solder stencil wipes must meet strict standards for cleanliness, durability, and functionality. Typical material features include:

  • Dual-layer composite structure:

    • Wood pulp layer (textured side): Made from natural wood pulp fibers, soft and highly absorbent to conform to the stencil surface without scratching and capture dust.

    • Polyester layer (smooth side): Made of polyester fibers, wear-resistant with a “sieve effect” to reduce fiber shedding and prevent contamination of solder paste.

  • Spunlace technology: The wood pulp and polyester fibers are bonded via spunlace, creating a strong, low-lint nonwoven fabric.

  • Solvent compatibility: Wipes must be compatible with common cleaning solvents such as isopropanol (IPA) and alcohol to ensure rapid absorption and uniform distribution without chemical degradation or contamination.

  • Anti-static and low VOC design:

    • Anti-static treatment reduces dust attraction, crucial for high-precision electronics manufacturing.

    • Pre-saturated wipes reduce VOC emissions, protecting operator health and workplace safety.

  • Emerging material innovations:
    Future wipes may incorporate new materials such as polyester-wood pulp blends for faster absorption and durability, ultra-fine fibers for high-density circuits, or resin-bonded materials to enhance adhesion and cleaning effectiveness.

  1. Application Scenarios and Operation Guidelines
    SMT solder stencil wipes are widely used in:

  • Printer cleaning:

    • Manual/semi-automatic printers: Regular wiping of stencil undersides to prevent solder paste buildup.

    • Fully automatic printers: Integrated in automated cleaning systems for continuous production efficiency (e.g., DEK, MPM).

  • Abnormal handling:

    • Misprint repair: Quickly removing thick glue or partially cured epoxy with pre-saturated wipes.

    • Extreme contamination: Using high-absorbency foam wipes for stubborn residues on metal screens or thick-film prints.

  • Proper usage steps:

    • Differentiate wipe sides: The textured (wood pulp) side contacts the stencil, while the smooth (polyester) side contacts the cleaning solvent.

    • Spray solvent on the smooth side for even distribution.

    • Apply light pressure and wipe in a single direction to avoid re-contamination.

  1. Industry Trends and Future Directions

  • Environmental sustainability:

    • Reducing industrial waste and energy consumption.

    • Uster’s efforts in minimizing raw material waste through size optimization and deploying advanced production lines to maximize energy efficiency.

  • Smart customization:

    • Offering custom wipe widths and lengths tailored to printer models (e.g., Panasonic, Yamaha) and PCB sizes.

    • Developing intelligent monitoring systems to track wipe cleaning effectiveness and wear status in real-time.

  • Growth of high-end niche markets:

    • Formulating products dedicated to high-end and specialized SMT applications.

  1. Conclusion
    Though SMT solder stencil cleaning wipes may be considered a “hidden consumable,” their impact on product quality and manufacturing efficiency is undeniable. As SMT technology evolves toward higher density and speed, innovations in wipe materials and manufacturing processes will continue to drive industry advancement. Selecting wipes that meet specific production needs is key to reducing defects, promoting green manufacturing, and facilitating intelligent transformation.

Wiepstar SMT Wipes: Precision Manufacturing Guardians

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In modern electronics manufacturing, the accuracy and stability of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) processes directly affect the quality and reliability of final products. As an essential consumable in the SMT production line, Wiepstar’s SMT stencil cleaning wipes have become the trusted “invisible quality gatekeeper” for PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturers worldwide, providing solid support for cleaning and quality assurance in precision manufacturing.

1. Core Advantages of Wiepstar SMT Stencil Cleaning Wipes

  • Perfect Combination of Natural Materials and Advanced Processing
    Wiepstar uses premium natural wood pulp and high-quality raw materials, processed through a unique spunlace technology to create a dual-layer structure of wood pulp and polyester. This design ensures the wipes are flexible and durable while offering excellent absorption capabilities to effectively remove solder paste residues, oils, and micron-level particles, avoiding secondary contamination from fiber shedding on sensitive electronic components.

  • Outstanding Cleaning Performance Ensures Printing Quality

    • High absorbency and low lint generation efficiently remove solder paste residues and adhesives, reducing defects such as solder bridges and insufficient solder joints.

    • Leaves the PCB surface smooth and scratch-free after wiping, ensuring precise solder paste transfer and stable solder joints.

    • Maintains strength under intense use, significantly extending service life and reducing replacement frequency and costs.

  • Comprehensive Compatibility and Adaptability
    Wiepstar’s SMT wipes come in a full range of specifications covering most major SMT printing machine brands (such as MPM, DEK, YAMAHA) and support custom non-standard sizes to meet diverse production needs. Their unique porous structure is highly compatible with the vacuum systems of stencil printers, enhancing solder paste removal efficiency and maintaining production speed.

  • Cost Savings and Efficiency Gains
    By reducing cleaning time, solvent consumption, and defect rates, Wiepstar helps manufacturers significantly lower production costs. The wipes’ high cleaning efficiency accelerates production throughput and improves capacity and delivery performance, boosting competitiveness.

2. Wide Application Areas

  • Consumer Electronics Production Lines: Support high-frequency cleaning in flagship smartphone production to ensure solder joint accuracy and product stability.

  • Automotive Electronics Workshops: Provide reliable cleaning performance in harsh vibration environments, safeguarding critical components such as vehicle control units.

  • Aerospace Industry: Meet the zero-defect standards required for circuit boards in space-grade products operating under extreme conditions.

  • Research and Laboratory: Offer dust-free and lint-free cleaning solutions for precision instruments and scanning electron microscopes.

3. Why Choose Wiepstar?

As a professional domestic manufacturer of SMT stencil cleaning wipes, Wiepstar adheres to a “source quality” principle, strictly controlling every stage from raw material selection to production processes to ensure products meet international cleanliness and performance standards. The company offers free samples for trial, ready stock supply, and OEM/ODM customization services to meet varied client requirements. Whether you are a contract manufacturer pursuing maximum efficiency or a high-end manufacturer focused on quality assurance, Wiepstar provides reliable, customized cleaning solutions you can trust.

Understanding the Characteristics of Cleanroom Anti-Static Wipes

Understanding the Characteristics of Cleanroom Anti-Static Wipes

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Cleanroom anti-static wipes are specialized cleaning tools designed for use in cleanroom environments, featuring anti-static properties and high cleanliness levels. They are widely used in industries such as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, optics, and biotechnology, where strict requirements for static control and cleanliness are essential. To ensure product quality and process stability, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of cleanroom anti-static wipes. This article provides a detailed overview of the main features, advantages, and applications of these wipes.

1. Anti-Static Properties

a. Low Static Generation

Cleanroom anti-static wipes are made from special fibers and treated with anti-static technology, effectively reducing static electricity generation. This helps prevent potential damage to sensitive electronic components and equipment during cleaning.

b. Stable Surface Resistivity

The surface resistivity of anti-static wipes typically ranges from 10^6 to 10^9 ohms, ensuring consistent anti-static performance in cleanroom environments and preventing static interference with products.

2. High Cleanliness

a. Low Particle Generation

Made from high-quality polyester or nylon synthetic fibers and treated with specialized dust-free processes, anti-static wipes minimize particle shedding during use, making them suitable for environments with strict cleanliness requirements.

b. Laser or Ultrasonic Sealed Edges

Most anti-static wipes feature laser or ultrasonic sealed edges, preventing edge fraying and further enhancing the wipe’s cleanliness and durability.

3. Excellent Absorption Performance

a. High Absorption of Water and Oils

Anti-static wipes possess strong absorption capabilities for both water and oils, allowing them to quickly absorb liquids and contaminants, ensuring effective cleaning. Their structure maintains anti-static properties even when wet.

b. Solvent Compatibility

These wipes are compatible with various cleaning solvents, such as isopropyl alcohol and deionized water, enabling efficient removal of grease, stains, and particulate contaminants.

4. Chemical Resistance and Durability

a. Chemical Resistance

Anti-static wipes are resistant to various chemicals, maintaining stable physical properties when used with cleaning solvents, and are not easily corroded or broken down by them.

b. Durability

Constructed with a double-layer knit or high-density weave, anti-static wipes are highly durable and resistant to wear, ensuring long-term use without compromising their cleaning effectiveness.

5. Soft and Non-Abrasive Surface

The soft material of anti-static wipes ensures they won’t scratch or damage delicate surfaces, making them suitable for cleaning precision instruments, electronic components, optical lenses, and other sensitive equipment. Their soft texture allows them to reach small crevices and complex surfaces for thorough cleaning.

6. Application Scenarios

a. Electronics Manufacturing and Semiconductor Industry

Used for cleaning wafers, chips, LCD screens, and printed circuit boards (PCBs), preventing static damage to electronic components.

b. Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Used to clean equipment and instruments in pharmaceutical production and laboratory operations, maintaining a dust-free and anti-static environment.

c. Optics and Precision Instruments

Ideal for cleaning optical lenses, microscopes, and camera lenses, ensuring dust-free surfaces without static interference.

d. Automotive and Aerospace Industries

Suitable for cleaning automotive parts, aviation instruments, and other static-sensitive equipment, ensuring stability and safety.

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Cleaning and Maintenance of Check Scanners

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Lottery machines and check scanners are widely used in the financial and service industries. Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial for these frequently used devices. Keeping them clean not only extends their lifespan but also improves efficiency and reduces the chance of malfunctions. This article will cover how to use lottery machine cleaning cards and check scanner cleaners, along with cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

1. Cleaning and Maintenance of Lottery Machines

1.1 Importance of Cleaning Lottery Machines

Lottery machines handle a large number of paper tickets daily, which leads to the accumulation of dust, paper debris, and grease in the paper path, card reader, and print head. These accumulations can affect the machine’s normal operation, causing issues such as poor ticket dispensing, misreads, or system malfunctions.

1.2 Using Lottery Machine Cleaning Cards

Lottery machine cleaning cards are specially designed tools for cleaning the internal pathways and card readers of lottery machines. These cards are typically made of materials soaked in cleaning solutions that effectively remove dirt and debris. Here’s how to use them:

  • Turn off the machine: To avoid electrical issues during cleaning, it’s recommended to turn off the lottery machine before cleaning.
  • Insert the cleaning card: Insert the cleaning card into the paper path of the machine and run the normal ticket dispensing process. The card will clean the machine’s internal pathways and remove dust and debris.
  • Repeat if necessary: Depending on the condition of the machine, you may need to use the cleaning card multiple times to ensure thorough cleaning.

1.3 Maintenance Tips

  • Regularly clean the paper path and card reader—light cleaning once a week and deep cleaning once a month.
  • Store cleaning cards and other tools in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture damage.
  • Inspect the print head and remove any paper dust to maintain print quality.

2. Cleaning and Maintenance of Check Scanners

2.1 Importance of Cleaning Check Scanners

Check scanners handle paper checks, which can accumulate dust, ink residue, and paper debris. Without regular cleaning, these contaminants may cause scanning errors, lower image quality, or lead to paper jams.

2.2 Using Check Scanner Cleaners

Check scanner cleaners, typically pre-soaked cleaning cards, effectively clean the scanner’s paper feed path and scanning head. Here’s how to use them:

  • Turn off the scanner: To avoid malfunctions during cleaning, it’s best to turn off the scanner.
  • Insert the cleaning card: Insert the cleaning card into the check scanner’s paper feed slot and run a normal scanning process. The card will clean the feed path and remove debris that could affect scanning quality.
  • Repeat as needed: For high-usage scanners, it’s recommended to clean them weekly to maintain optimal performance.

2.3 Maintenance Tips

  • Regularly inspect and clean the scanning head to ensure clear image quality.
  • Use check scanner cleaning cards regularly and wipe down the exterior of the machine with a dry cloth after cleaning.
  • Lubricate the moving parts of the scanner to prevent mechanical wear and reduce the likelihood of paper jams.

3. Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines for Lottery Machines and Check Scanners

In addition to using cleaning cards and other cleaning tools, proper disinfection of the equipment is essential for maintaining hygiene.

3.1 Cleaning and Disinfection Steps

  • Turn off the machine: Always ensure that the machine is powered off before cleaning or disinfecting to avoid short circuits or damage.
  • Use IPA cleaner: Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution to clean the surfaces, especially touchscreens, buttons, and other frequently touched parts. IPA is effective at removing dirt and evaporates quickly, allowing the device to be back in use in a short time.
  • Avoid water-based cleaners: Do not use water-based cleaners when cleaning lottery machines or check scanners, as liquid can seep into the equipment and damage electronic components.
  • Ensure proper ventilation: During cleaning and disinfection, ensure the workspace is well-ventilated to avoid inhaling the fumes from cleaning agents.

3.2 Regular Disinfection Schedule

Depending on usage frequency, a weekly or monthly disinfection routine is recommended, especially in high-traffic environments like banks and convenience stores.

Conclusion

As important devices in the financial services sector, regular cleaning and maintenance of lottery machines and check scanners are essential. By using specially designed cleaning cards and tools, you can significantly reduce malfunction rates and enhance device performance. Additionally, proper disinfection practices ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the equipment, protecting both customers and staff.