The Science Lab
Every PCB starts with Stencil Cleaning
As Electronics become more advanced, manufacturers are packing more power and capability into smaller and smaller formfactor. With smaller size comes a unique set of challenges including miniature components, lower stand offs and tighter pitch. This makes ensuring that the solder paste deposits, and volume transfer is consistent on every print. When it comes to choosing a cleaning method for your stencils…it can make or break your final product. KYZEN can help you select the perfect product to get the best quality print every time; on the printer (under stencil wipe), during manual (handwipe), or employing an off-line cleaning machine approach. Some of our award-winning stencil cleaning chemistries include:
KYZEN E5631 is a cost-effective solution that quickly and efficiently cleans all types of raw solder paste from stencils and A-side misprints. This cost-effective cleaner is designed to be used at low concentrations and ambient temperature in stencil cleaning processes including spray-in-air, understencil and ultrasonic systems.
KYZEN E5631J is a ready to use version of the concentrated E5631, this makes for an easy pour and go product to be used in all stencil printers. Both products provide superior and exceptional cleaning of ALL solder pastes including the latest formulations. These products rinse freely and completely thus reducing typical dry time.
CYBERSOLV C8882 is a solvent-based stencil cleaning fluid specifically designed to clean solder paste, uncured SMT adhesive and flux residue from stencils, mis-printed PCBs, stencil tools and printing squeegees. C8882 can be used in automated understencil wipe processes, hand-wipe, and ultrasonic cleaning systems as well as spray systems designed for solvent.
All KYZEN stencil cleaning chemistries have been thoroughly tested for compatibility with stencils and all materials of construction in electronic assembly manufacturing and cleaning processes. No matter the stencil cleaning challenge…KYZEN can find a solution that works best for you! To learn more about PCB stencil cleaning click here!
KYZEN Products from Start to Finish
When looking at an electronics assembly process, you cannot just focus on one specific assembly process and ignore all the other process steps. You must look at the entire process, from beginning to end, from your stencil printer to your rework station, making sure that everything works together for the best outcome and final assembly. Identifying areas of improvement and finding the most effective cleaning solution every step of the way for each customer’s unique manufacturing line is KYZEN’s specialty. Whether you are working to improve your cleaning process or starting from scratch, KYZEN can help you understand the challenges you will face throughout the entire process from start to finish.
Evaluating the entire process and where cleaning is essential is extremely important for several reasons like, product quality, efficiency, reliability, compliance, and sustainability. Using the right cleaning chemistry for each unique step along the way ensures that the product quality is consistent every time. Using this method allows the cleaning process to be effectively managed and understood, which helps avoid defects and field returns. Each cleaning challenge needs to be evaluated individually, finding the right fit (chemistry and machine) will ultimately save time and money.
Final assembly cleaning will happen in an in-line or batch cleaning machine depending on your throughput. Matching the cleaning chemistry to the machine, the soil and the production volume can be a little tricky. Once you have identified the right product for the process, optimizing the variables will make sure you are getting the absolute best outcome.
It is important to regularly review your cleaning process to stay competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. If you want to learn more about how to optimize your cleaning process from start to finish, contact your local KYZEN Cleaning Expert. To get you started, download this paper that discusses Cleaning Process Integration…click here!
Meet The Clean Team
Chelsea Jewell – Applications Lab Manager
Chelsea Jewell is KYZEN’s Application Lab Manager and has been with KYZEN for the past 11 years. She is from Rogersville, Alabama and went to school at Auburn University and Austin Peay State University where she graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering Technology.
Chelsea is married to Bobby, another one of KYZEN’s finest, and they have one son named Bay. Some of Chelsea’s hobbies include horseback riding (both jumping and mounted archery), reading, and working on their farm! On the farm they have two horses, a dog, cat, gecko, and coming soon….chickens!
As the applications lab manager, Chelsea brings her years of chemical experience and cleaning knowledge to the role. She evaluates and develops the best cleaning solution for your problem. During her tenure at KYZEN, she has helped to develop several successful cleaning products that are used in the field around the world. Chelsea is known for finding solutions when others may give up.
Reach out to Chelsea with any process cleaning challenge you might have. We are confident that if she doesn’t have the answer, she will find one!
Carolyn Leary – Analytical Lab Manager
Carolyn Leary is KYZEN’s Analytical Lab Manager/ SDS Coordinator and has been with KYZEN for over 20 years. She was born and raised in Wisconsin, but has lived and worked in Kentucky, Iowa, California, and Arkansas before settling down in Tennessee in 1996. Her parents and one of her sisters still live in Wisconsin so she likes to make it back to visit.
Carolyn went to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and graduated with a degree in Chemistry. She’s been married to her husband, John, since 1990 and have two children together. Her daughter Cassie is married to KYZEN’s own James Perigen. Her son is also married since 2018. No grandkids…yet.
Carolyn loves to garden and will give about any craft a try at least once. She also enjoys taking a nice cruise and has even had the chance to hold a sea turtle!
As the Analytical Lab Manager/ SDS Coordinator Carolyn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the lab. With over 20 years at KYZEN she has spent years making sure that our processes are at the top of their game! With new technology and information available, Carolyn keeps us running at top speed.
Feel free to reach out to Carolyn with any questions you might have!
Applications Lab
KYZEN prides itself on making award winning cleaning chemistries along with the perfect cleaning solution for your specific needs and situation. Our Applications Lab is exactly where those two goals come together. Our team of cleaning experts makes your cleaning problem their cleaning problem and won’t stop until they find the best answer for YOUR cleaning challenge. The applications lab is also fully equipped with a variety of cleaning machines to simulate just about any cleaning process in the industry today. Customers often visit with their parts to try out different processes rather than disrupting their onsite production, this allows our customers to find the perfect fit to meet their cleaning requirements. All of the KYZEN Application Labs worldwide have both electronics assembly and metal parts cleaning capabilities. The equipment on-site includes:
– Spray-in-Air (batch and in-line)
– Vacuum Degreasing
– Vapor Degreasing
– Ultrasonic Immersion
– Conveyorized In-line
– Cabinet Spray Washer
– DuoSolvent Processes
– Programmable Controlled Environmental Chamber
It doesn’t matter if the cleaning problem is big or small…our applications lab finds a solution that works best for your needs. To learn more about the applications lab click here!
Analytical Lab
The KYZEN Analytical Lab is truly where science and care converge. Not only is our analytical lab filled with all the latest equipment, but we are also staffed with a team that is enthusiastic about supporting our customers’ needs worldwide. The KYZEN Analytical Lab quality checks EVERY KYZEN product after it is blended and before it is packaged into drums and pails for shipment to our customers. They are the gatekeepers of maintaining the high-quality standards we are known for and helping our customers meet theirs. We have a full staff of chemists and lab techs to analyze our products in use for bath life, soil identification and to assist in making sure your process is running smoothly and efficiently. They also are a large part of our research and development team as KYZEN makes new products.
Our analytical lab offers a wide variety of services to meet whatever needs our customers may be looking for like:
– Wash Bath Analysis
– FTIR Analysis
– Gas Chromatography Analysis
– Ion Chromatography Analysis
– SIR Testing
– Millipore Testing
– SEM Inspection and SEM/EDS Analysis
– R.O.S.E. Testing
No matter what issue you may be facing, our team members are ready to find the best solution for YOU. Our KYZEN Clean Team will collaborate with you to determine what is the best process for your business and to keep you running at full speed. To learn more about our Analytical Lab click here!
Connect with our Cleaning Experts at the following events.