Looking for PCB cleaning machine - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: osmaneralp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 09, 2013, 03:15:32 pm
content: I want to buy for my home workshop a table top machine that can clean PCBs. I was thinking about getting an ultrasonic cleaner, the kind with the basket that looks like you would use it to cook chips (potato not silicon). Would such a cleaner work? What liquid would I fill it with?Thanks,Osman

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 09:49:21 am
content: You can get special PCB cleaning solutions for the larger ultrasonic machines.I use isopropyl alcohol in my small ultrasonic cleaner - however, you have to be really careful as the ultrasonic agitation creates a lot more vapour which is flammable. For a larger machine like you are talking about, proper cleaning solution would be the go.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 10:14:06 am
content: How many boards do you get clean from one lot of isopropyl?The issue i have is after cleaning ~3 PCBs the flux (which is now dissolved into the solution) creates streaks on the pcb when it drys. (i'm not using Isopropyl though, but i'll switch to it if it gets rid of the problem)

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 12:25:48 pm
content: I have 3 small ultrasonic cleaners and used to waste a lot of IPA because it gets very dirty rapidly. I use them basically to clean stencils and other small stuff like coolers, dissipators and small boards like the ones in cell phones, tablets, etc.... The solution, at least for the stencil cleaning procedure, was putting a small plastic container inside the ultrasonic cleaner filled with IPA and complete with water. I'm also looking for a cheaper and effective cleaning solution. I'm afraid to use IPA in a large ultrasonic cleaner since it gets very hot after a while.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2013, 01:10:28 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 10, 2013, 10:14:06 amYou should wash in multiple stages using as little solvent as possible where the last stage is using hot water (from the tap) and then bake to dry the PCB.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2013, 02:26:32 am
content: The IPA in the ultrasonic cleaner gets pretty filthy straight away with all the dissolved flux residue.Ultrasonic cleaner gets all the hard residue off so you don't have to physically scrub the boards. You still need to rinse them after with more IPA or some warm water.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 03:14:06 am
content: Quote from: osmaneralp on August 09, 2013, 03:15:32 pmA machine is rarely needed for small quantities, you automate it when you're doing dozens of boards per hour. Just soaking in a good washing solution will clean boards faster than you can build them:http://www.electrolube.com/docs/cleaning.aspAnd you dont have any waste to deal with at the end:Quote from: electrolube

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 05:19:32 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 10, 2013, 10:14:06 amGet a washdown bottle of your cleaner of choice. Wash the board, rinse the board in another trey, then rinse it with the washdown bottle. When I had to do ~100 PCBs for work by hand thats what my cleaning method was. Using 2 akro bins of appropriate size full of alcohol, one to scrub and clean the board, the next one to rinse most the crap off (though that got dirty eventually too) and the washdown bottle was always clean alcohol, which I let run into the rinse bin, then blot them dry.If you can, blotting with a paper towel definitely helps boards come out clean as any residues are absorbed into the towel rather then shrinking into a smaller and smaller spot of solvent, and then leaving a spot on your board once the solvent finally evaporates.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2013, 10:57:17 pm
content: I've been using compressed air to clean off the liquid, really fast and easy.As long as the solution is new the board comes out perfectly clean.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 12:41:25 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 21, 2013, 10:57:17 pmI do this as well, and it really works to clean the boards. I have a very low-tech cleaning method, I dunk a toothbrush into 98% IPA, and wet the boards (10 or so at a time) and let it soak. Then wet the toothbrush again, and scrub the boards. Then I let the ipa drip off the boards. Then they get one last scrubbing with IPS and blow dry with canned air. Works a treat.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 12:49:01 am
content: I think what i need to build is some sort of recycling tank that pumps a small stream of IPA out of a tap and back into the tank.A stream of IPA continuously running over the PCB while i scrub with a brush should take all the flux with it very effectively.

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 02:19:36 am
content: How about the same process they use to make deionised water? Put some filters to retain the flux and residues and the IPA comes back to the recipient.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 02:56:46 am
content: You could filter out particles/dirt but i doubt you could filter out the dissolved IPA in solution.Not without some fancy nanotech molecular filter.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2013, 07:53:59 pm
content: Use a no clean flux

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2013, 12:39:11 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on August 22, 2013, 07:53:59 pmDespite the name, you still have to clean no-clean flux/paste/solder if you want a clean looking board.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2013, 12:58:55 am
content: Does anyone have any comments on using a dishwasher? I've heard this mentioned a number of times in forums over the years, and a quick look on gumtree shows a good conditioned working older unit goes for around $70-80. So a fairly cheap investment if they work well.

author: cprrw132
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 12:38:55 pm
content: Dish washer a fantastic idea.Some old TV Tec’s used hover twin tub clothes washing machines with a basket to hold there PCB’s inI use a large plastic tub with 25lt of water with detergent and an air compressorw/ - pistol grip nozzleSubmerge my smps's in the tub and blast with compressed air for 20>30 secondsTo remove all the crud built up from inside them from living in Pub's & Clubs for yearsAs well as all the residue from leaking caps or dead cockroaches ****** ,not the nicotine though.Remover from tub blast off excess water then repeat process in a rinse tub with clean water{ Bi-hydro-mono-oxide }.Hang on a fence in the sun to dry or slip in to a small counter top oven {available new for $39.} till DRY.But not too hot,Sure makes repairing the SMPS PCB a hell of a lot easier being clean. Doing 30 per month.Do not use CAR Wash & Shine as PCB will show up dead use a straight detergent or alkaline degreaserFor Flux removalI use alcohol 75% acetone 25% is squirt bottle or recharge aerosol bottlePlus old tooth brush very cheap just flood with 2 or 3 spurts + brush off.John T.