FEATURE DUST & FUME EXTRACTION
INFLUENCE OF CLEAN AIR ON value-added chain in electronics production
Extraction and filtration in electronics production involves eliminating hazardous substances in the air that may impact negatively on the entire value-added chain, writes Stefan Meissner
T
he idea of the value chain is based on the process view of organizations, the
idea of seeing a manufacturing (or service) organization as a system, made up of subsystems each with inputs, transformation processes and outputs. This definition by Michael E. Porter is
one of many. In principle, it involves a sequence of activities executed by a manufacturing company to develop, produce, sell, ship and maintain products or services. Three main parameters
essentially influence a value-added chain. Direct activities: research, development,
production, shipment etc Indirect activities: maintenance, operation, occupational safety,
environment etc Quality assurance: monitoring, test/ inspection; quality management etc Indirect activities and quality assurance
generate a greater part of the costs in product manufacturing. This article principally focuses on these.
INDIRECT ACTIVITIES AND THEIR INFLUENCES The indirect activities within a value-
added chain comprises three subdivisions: Maintenance: includes production resources and rooms as well as the
entirety of all systems and plants Product quality: includes precision of manufacture, accuracy, functionality and
cleanliness Occupational safety: includes work clothing, ESD protection, injury potential and clean air All three issues have one common factor:
they depend on clean air in the production rooms.
In modern electronics production
there is a multitude of different processes from connection and separation technologies, surface processing such as marking, drilling, sintering and milling, the utilisation of fluxes, up to production processes such as 3D printing or rapid prototyping by means of laser, soldering, welding and gluing; all these processes generate harmful substances that might have extreme health impacts.
AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS AND THEIR IMPACTS All airborne pollutants have negative effects on employee health and production plants and products. In principle airborne pollutants are classified due to particle sizes. This primarily focuses on the
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influence of emissions on the human body. In addition to the possibilities of brain damages, neurotoxic effects or airway injuries they are differentiated in terms of being inhaling (E fraction) or alveolar (A fraction). The capture of contaminants is regulated
by law in various countries. These regulations determine categories of danger for specific hazardous substances eg in terms of fire and explosion risks or in types of health damaging effects (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction). Airborne contaminants may have negative impact on production systems and products. Depending on technology (laser,
soldering, welding) they consist of various inorganic and organic substances which might have partly dramatic effects based on chemical reactions. For example, soldering fume mainly consists of fluxes, soldering material and detergent residues which often join up to adhesive aerosols. They compromise machinery and products and finally product quality as they create firmly attached dirt layers. Contamination of electronic assemblies
with tacky dusts may lead to conductor track corrosion which can lead to partly or complete functional failure. Product quality suffers from the impact of hazardous emissions in the long term.
EXTRACTION AND FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY The early removal of airborne pollutants prevents their impact. Extraction and filtration systems provide an effective solution. Extraction and filtration units are determined by type, composition and amount of pollutants; system utilisation in automated, semi-automated and manual production; and mobility or flexibility.
Soldering fume compromise machinery, products and product quality as they create firmly attached dirt layers
Modern extraction and filtration systems clean process air to such a high degree that the purified air can be moved back to the working area. This is based on innovative filtration concepts which can be configured to special requirements. The capturing of airborne pollutants is a further decisive aspect in air purification. Closest proximity to the source of
pollution is of critical importance, not only to capture the majority of all particles but to minimise economic efforts. A general rule says that twice the
distance between emission source and capturing element requires four times the exhaust performance in the extraction and filter system. Capturing elements are nozzles mounted on extraction arms. They guarantee the ideal capturing of airborne contaminants. Due to pollution amount and type as well as airflow principles they are available in various versions up to complete housing solutions. Basically, the appropriate capturing
element can deliver a substantial contribution to the quality of the extraction and filtration device. The degree of capture rate forms the basis for subsequent high-grade filtration, finally providing high overall efficiency and low residue in the returned clean air.
VALUE-ADDED CHAIN’S DEPENDENCE ON CLEAN AIR Analysis of possible impacts of airborne pollutants on indirect activities within the value-added chain shows that all three
subdivisions are concerned. Production resources and rooms must
not be polluted Product quality and cleanliness must be guaranteed under all circumstances;
restricted functionality is intolerable Employee protection is of highest importance; regulatory bodies determine the demands to be achieved Extraction and filtration in electronics
production goes far beyond the vacuum cleaner principle. It is not just a case of dirt removal but to eliminate hazardous substances in the air that may have negative impacts on humans, machines and products and consequently on the entire value-added chain.
Flextraction T: 01664 410641
www.flextraction.co.uk
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