Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
Smart Automation: Odd-form Assembly—Dedicated Insertion Equipment Matters
Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
Filtration Technology: A Critical Influence on the Removal of Airborne Pollutants
March 8, 2016 | Stefan Meissner, ULT AGEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The electronics production industry is characterized by a multitude of processes. From joining and separation technologies by means of laser, soldering and gluing, soldering processes, and the utilisation of fluxes or rapid prototyping—there is a wide range of various technologies.
All these procedures have one thing in common: they generate harmful particles of any size, form and composition. These particles have an undesirable effect as they have impact on humans, machines and products because of their chemical and physical characteristics. They can cause diseases, affect machine functionalities and pollute products, thus can be responsible for malfunctions and production failures.
Extracting is not Enough
Utilising an extraction system seems logical. Indeed, it is. However, systems vary in effectiveness and many critical parameters must be considered when selecting the most suitable extraction and filtration system. In order to completely removing all occurring dusts, fumes, odours, gases, and vapours, it is necessary to utilize the appropriate filtration technology and understand all the characteristics of the airborne pollutants and processes. A distinction is made between particulate and gaseous substances. Partially, gaseous substances may react and become particles. Modern procedures such as welding, laser or other thermal processes cause the emergence of particles, which become increasingly smaller and some are known to be in the nano range.
Particle size is one criterion that decides on the utilisation of the best suitable filter medium.
Additionally, knowledge on particle characteristics (adhesive, condensing, etc.), gas content or flammability is important. These factors also have influence on the selection of the ideal filter.
Air Filters and Subdivisions
Filtration means separation of solids and gases, and there are many techniques used:
• Gravity separators (settlement tanks)
• Centrifugal separators (cyclones)
• Wet separators (washers)
• Electric separators (electrostatic filters)
• Filtering separators (fabric filters, cartridge filters)
• Adsorptive filters (activated carbon)
This article focuses on filtering separators, also known as bag filters and fibre filters, as they are used across a wide range of industrial sectors. The German association Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA)/German Engineering Federation) subdivides filtering separators into different classes (Figure 1). Thus, a distinction is made between fine particulate (according to DIN EN 779:2012) and coarse particulate air filters (according to DIN EN 1822:2011).
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of SMT Magazine.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Trouble in Your Tank: Implementing Direct Metallization in Advanced Substrate Packaging
09/15/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankDirect metallization systems based on conductive graphite are gaining popularity throughout the world. The environmental and productivity gains achievable with this process are outstanding. Direct metallization reduces the costs of compliance, waste treatment, and legal issues related to chemical exposure. A graphite-based direct plate system has been devised to address these needs.
NASA, Italian Space Agency Join Forces on Air Pollution Mission
03/13/2023 | NASA JPLNASA and the Italian space agency Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) are partnering to build and launch the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) mission, an effort to investigate the health impacts of tiny airborne particles polluting some of the world’s most populous cities.
Trouble in Your Tank: Revisiting the Art and Science of Photoresist Stripping
01/09/2023 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankAs circuits become more compact, circuit lines and the spaces between them are becoming finer. As the distances between these lines decrease, copper over-plating is more likely to have a deleterious effect on photoresist stripping, which can lead to shorts on costly fine-line PCBs. PCB designers, for example, must attempt to squeeze increasingly more amounts of information onto a smaller board. In practical terms, this means that circuits are becoming more compact; circuit lines and the spaces between them are becoming finer. As the distances between these lines decrease, copper overplating is more likely to have a deleterious effect on photoresist stripping.
Keio University Research: Eco-friendly Nanoparticles for Batteries
10/24/2022 | PRNewswireKeio University researchers report in the journal Nano Select on innovative technology enabling silicon waste to be recycled into battery anode materials by means of an efficient, sustainable method utilizing laser irradiation.
CyberOptics to Feature Yield-Improving Auto Teaching Systems During SEMICON Europa
10/07/2022 | CyberOptics CorporationCyberOptics Corporation, a leading global developer and manufacturer of high-precision 3D sensing technology solutions, will exhibit at SEMICON Europa 2022, scheduled to take place November 15-18, 2022 at the Messe Munchen in Munich, Germany.