QUESTIONS |
ANSWERS |
What is the effect on the solder alloy of processing tin lead dross at 300-380 DEG C in the EVS? |
Hundreds of customers doing thousands of solder tests over many years have shown that the levels of impurities contained within the solder alloy processed through the EVS are exactly the same as the solder in the solder pot.
What you put in is exactly the same as what you get out. |
Can I use an EVS for Lead and Lead Free solders? |
EVS on all its range offer both Lead and Lead Free versions.
Due to cross contamination you can’t use the same EVS for both Lead and Lead Free.
Separate machines would be needed. EVS also offer a Lead Free upgrade kit to convert a machine used on Lead Solder for Lead Free. |
Do the internal temperatures create additional contaminants? |
NO: What you put the EVS is what you get back out.
Exactly the solder quality of solder that is in the solder pot.
|
What is the maximum and minimum dross loads the EVS can process in one cycle sequence? |
EVS 1500 - 2kg/4lbs Minimum > 5kg/11lbs Maximum
EVS 8K - 5kg/11lbs Minimum > 10kg/20lbs Maximum
EVS 10K - 5kg/11lbs Minimum > 20kg/44lbs Maximum
|
Can I process dross from a bath that has an oil blanket
Or that has had wave oils to reduce dross? |
Not advisable as you may experience some smoking during the cycle. One advantage of using the EVS is that more frequent de-drossing can be carried out without additional cost, thereby eliminating the need for an oil blanket or wave oils- another financial saving. The logic of using a messy, time consuming process which limits the process options generated by new technologies is questionable and expensive as they have to be added every 4 hours. |
Can I process dross that has been treated with dross reducing chemicals? |
For dross reducing chemicals to be effective they should be stirred into the dross. This can represent a significant cost whilst also representing a process dilemma, i.e. once the chemicals are stirred into the dross it can create an emulsion in the solder bath, the dross reducing chemical would then be present in every solder joint on the PCB, and as such this solution has been rejected by a major American computer manufacturer. Regardless the dross can be processed although yields may be slightly reduced.
EVS customers have reported by stopping using dross reducing powders they have significantly reduce shorts, bridging and rework.
Again a massive saving in costs and time. |
What is the power consumption of the EVS? |
2.3 KW maximum at start up, less once heating is achieved |
What precautions do I need to ensure my machine operator's safety? |
The EVS is a safe machine to operate. Some basic precautions regarding flow soldering heat and inhalation hazards need to be followed. A full operator safety instruction section is contained in the operation manual that accompanies every EVS and should be displayed by each machine. Warnings are displayed on the machine.
ONLY TRAINED PERSONNEL SHOULD OPERATE THE EVS. |
What extraction do I need? |
The EVS has a standalone filtration system that requires no external ducting. |
Does the EVS have any approvals and patents? |
Yes. The EVS complies with EC requirements, BS5304 and is covered by national, European an international patent applications and is CE certified. |
Can the temperature of the EVS be varied? |
Yes, the EVS is fully programmable via its password protected software. |
Does the cycling process produce lead fumes? |
No, as the temperature in the EVS is regulated to shut down should the temperature reach 380C. |
What happens to the final dross deposit? |
The remaining solder dross can be sent in the normal way to your solder supplier. |
Can I use EVS to recycle dross from more than one wave soldering machine? |
Yes. However it is important that dross is segregated from each individual Machine cycled and the solder ingot returned to the original bath otherwise cross contamination will be evident. On this basis (i.e. multiple sites) it would be advantageous from a materials management viewpoint to install a higher ratio of EVS machines to wave soldering machines thus preventing expensive cross contamination of solder baths. |
Do I need extra personnel to operate EVS? |
No. The same operators who dedross the waves now would operate the EVS and as EVS is a self contained process permitting more rapid de-drossing without penalty. Your operator's time is then freed for other duties. |
