Jan 14, 2003
Smart Sonic Corporation (Canoga Park, CA) will make their 440-R SMT Detergent available to SMT assemblers wishing to clean solder paste and glue stencils by hand. 440-R SMT Detergent is the most widely used and only stencil-cleaning chemistry verified environmentally safe, user safe and effective by the U.S. EPA for ultrasonic stencil cleaning.
Until now, Smart Sonic only provided the unique chemistry to customers using Smart Sonic ultrasonic stencil cleaners. Bill Schreiber, President and CEO of Smart Sonic, explains:
�In 1999, the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified the Smart Sonic stencil cleaning process environmentally safe, user safe and effective when using 440-R SMT Detergent. The data was subsequently verified by the U.S. EPA�s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program and Smart Sonic ultrasonic stencil cleaners remain the only stencil cleaners to pass the rigid standards of the EPA and therefore we only provided this unique chemistry to users of Smart Sonic equipment.
However, with today�s economic environment, several smaller companies have indicated that funds for stencil-cleaning equipment, while important, would not be available for the foreseeable future and that stencil cleaning would need to continue manually using hazardous solvents.
While the use of 440-R SMT Detergent alone will not qualify the process under the ETV Program, users need only concern themselves with the lead from the solder paste. Potential solvent related health and fire hazards and solvent odors are completely eliminated when using 440-R SMT Detergent. If companies are unable to budget for a Smart Sonic ultrasonic stencil cleaner, at least they can help improve their work environment by using a safer and more effective chemistry.�
Because 440-R SMT Detergent is a surfactant (wetting agent) and not a saponifier, it is long lasting and safely cleans using cold water. Light brushing with a 10% solution in plain water will easily and safely clean any type of solder paste. For additional information visit the Smart Sonic Website: http://www.smartsonic.com or call Smart Sonic Toll Free: 1(800) 806-440-R.
See us at APEX 2003 - Booth 2418
