Title
Interview
Interview—
Bill Schreiber, Smart Sonic
Stencil Cleaning Systems
Smart Sonic introduced the first ultrasonic stencil cleaner
in 1990. Bill Schreiber, its founder, has continued to make
best-in-class ultrasonic stencil cleaners and promote his
unique brand of chemistry. Trevor Galbraith spoke to him
at APEX in Las Vegas.
Q1. Bill, you claim that Smart Sonic is the still is) to buy a cleaning
only company to be EPA verified. Can you machine from one source,
explain what you mean by that and how a chemistry from another
this accreditation evolved? vendor, and hire somebody
to manage the waste stream
When I introduced the Smart Sonic Stencil
created. Other companies
Cleaning Process in 1990, it was obvious
only specialize in a portion
that other stencil cleaning systems were us-
of the process by making
ing hazardous solvents, caustic saponifiers
a machine or a chemical.
or VOC-containing aqueous chemistries.
Our competitors attempt
The primary objective at the time was to
to package or private label
move away from CFCs, but the collateral
products to emulate a
environmental impact of these other tech-
process, but we remain
nologies was becoming evident, and the
the only stencil cleaner
EPA was beginning to restrict their use.
company with our own
Because the Smart Sonic Stencil Clean-
complete process.
ing Process contains no VOCs, CFCs or
ting through the solder paste and wetting
Taking ownership of the process is
other hazardous ingredients, I felt the best
the surface of the stencil, which allows the
important. If something should go wrong,
way to separate Smart Sonic from all other
ultrasonic agitation to release the solder
our customers know exactly who to call
stencil cleaning processes was to have our
paste. When cleaning solder paste stencils,
and that we cannot blame a problem on
process verified for specific parameters of
the chemistry will last for several months
another machine or chemical supplier.
environmental safety, user safety and clean-
without adding or replacing. The chemistry
Smart Sonic only makes and sells stencil
ing efficiency. In fact, Smart Sonic was
is normally replaced for preventative main-
cleaners and stencil cleaning chemistry. It
selected to participate in the pilot program
tenance purposes to prevent odors from
is not a sideline for us. We take our process
to help launch the EPA’s Environmental
solder paste accumulation and possible
very seriously, and if we did not provide a
Technology Verficiation (ETV) program.
outside contamination.
good one, the assembly industry would not
The California EPA coordinated the testing
The surfactant formulation we use
have kept us around for 20 years.
and evaluations under the auspices of the
allows the chemistry to clean without heat.
U.S. EPA. In 1997, the California EPA
This is important, as stencils are heat sensi-
Q3. How does Smart Sonic chemistry differ
certified the Smart Sonic Stencil Cleaning
tive. The epoxy adhesive used to bond the
from other leading brand chemistries?
Process as an environmentally safe, user
screen to the frame and metal etched foil is
safe and effective technology. Subsequently, Smart Sonic’s 440-R SMT Detergent is
heat cured. If the stencil is washed in hot
the U.S. EPA verified their data for na- a mild alkaline detergent consisting of a
water or dried using hot air, the adhesive
tional (and international) recognition. unique blend of proprietary surfactants. A
can fail. Plus, stainless steel has a very poor
surfactant is a “wetting agent.” Working as
memory; once it expands it often fails to
Q2. How has the Smart Sonic Stencil a wetting agent, the 440-R SMT Detergent
contract back to the exact same position.
Cleaning Process stood the test of time is not consumed during the solder paste
If a stencil is washed in hot water and/or
and not required major design revisions? cleaning process. Essentially, what is hap-
dried using hot air, fine-pitched apertures
pening is the 440-R SMT Detergent is cut-
can become distorted.
The alternative to Smart Sonic was (and
26 – Global SMT & Packaging – June 2009
www.globalsmt.net
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