Abrasive Cleaning Systems From EPAK ELECTRONICS LTD

MILLFIELD ESTATE, CHARD, SOMERSET. TA20 2BB. TEL : 01460 61791 FAX : 01460 67833

We offer a variety of abrasive cleaning systems from Comco Inc. The Microblaster systems are a simple and highly effective way of cleaning, cutting, deburring or texturing parts and surfaces with an abrasive media mixed with an air stream propelled at the area.

Micro-abrasive eqipment from Comco includes the Single Tank MicroBlaster, Dual Tank MicroBlaster, DirectFlo 1200, PowerFlo 2000, WS6000 Clear View Workstation cabinet WS2200 workstation cabinet, WS2260 'BIG BOX' Workstation , AD1500 series desiccant air dryer, PR1100 Profiler - Auto Abrasive Profiler, SA1200 Precision Surface Abrader, BV6500 Rectifier Beveller and BV8003 Rectifier Beveller. New from Comco is the ProCentre - an integrated work cabinet and dust collection system in an ergonomic and compact unit.

In addition to being able to supply complete systems, we offer equipment backup support, a comprehensive range of spares and accessories here at Epak. Call us for further information or to arrange a demonstration for microabrasive capabilities.

MB1000 MICROBLASTER

The MB1000 can be utilised for component de-marking, de-flashing, conformal coat removal, cleaning, polishing, deburring, dental lab work, MgO removal from thermocouples, drilling & surface preparation. Comco also produce rectifier bevellers and an extensive range of micro-abrasive materials for different applications.

Various media is blasted at the surface, components or parts similar to a miniature sand blaster through a pen-type hand piece. By varying the air pressure, media grade and nozzle size the MicroBlaster can perform anything from polishing to cutting and drilling.

Whatever your application the MicroBlaster is strong enough to do the job correctly, yet gentle enough on delicate wires and sensitive components.

Uses for the MicroBlaster are : STRIP fine wire insulation, Selectively REMOVE conformal coating or cured solder mask from PCB's, DEFLASH miniature connectors, TEXTURE surfaces for bonding, CLEAN MgO from thermocouples, DELETE markings from components - even laser markings !!, CUT, BEVEL and DRILL silicon wafers, DEBURR small precision parts.

DUAL TANK MICROBLASTER

DIRECTFLO 1200

The Directflo 1200 system is designed to expand the use of micro abrasive blasting. Essentially a heavy duty MicroBlaster it has extra heavy-duty construction and components, and a twelve (12) pound abrasive tank that equals four times the abrasive media capacity of other systems.

Larger diameter media tubing allows greater air flow, and larger nozzles or multiple nozzle configurations are used for greater productivity. The system handles a wide range of air pressures up to 160 psi. Nozzles and abrasive media are easily and quickly interchangeable to suit a wide range of applications.

POWERFLO 2000

The PowerFlo 2000 system is designed to expand the use of micro abrasive blasting. Essentially a heavy duty MicroBlaster it has extra heavy-duty construction and components, and a twelve (12) pound abrasive tank that equals four times the abrasive media capacity of other systems. The "Quick-Fill" feature allows media refilling in less than 30 seconds without removing the tank cover.

Larger diameter media tubing allows greater air flow, and larger nozzles or multiple nozzle configurations are used for greater productivity. The system handles a wide range of air pressures up to 160 psi. Nozzles and abrasive media are easily and quickly interchangeable to suit a wide range of applications.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The PowerFlo 2000 has unique features, including maintenance monitoring and safety interlocks which can be customized to meet your specific needs.

Optical sensors and timing devices trigger status lights on the front panel to alert the operator to areas that may require attention, such as: when it is time to refill the media tank, if there is a restriction in the abrasive flow to the nozzle, and when to move the abrasive hose through the Pinch Assembly located on the front of the system.

Abrasive media in the tank can be changed quickly and easily using the removable plastic basket, and a special safety sensor will not allow the machine to be pressurized until the media tank cover is securely closed.

To change the application characteristics (i.e., from cutting to soft surface cleaning), the following factors may be changed: type of abrasive media, nozzle type, nozzle size, nozzle-to-work distance, air pressure, "powder flow" adjustment, or tank orifice size.

CLEARVIEW WORKSTATION CABINET

A good workstation is essential for micro abrasive blasting to confine media dust for easy removal by the dust collector and provide an illuminated work area. The ClearView is a compact workstation that requires less bench space than standard workstations ( 16W x 16" D x 14" H) and has features that make your job faster, easier and more comfortable.

The ClearView has large openings set at an ergonomic angle and padded for optimum comfort. From shoulder to wrist, your arms and hands follow the natural alignment of your body, allowing you to work comfortably for longer periods of time with far less muscle fatigue.

The lighting of the work chamber is full and bright to eliminate shadowing. The actual fluorescent light fixture is set high and inside the workstation ceiling, out of your line of vision.

Air intakes are located across the bottom and top of the chamber and the ClearView has excellent dust collection. Connections are for for intake hoses on both sides, make the ClearView adaptable whether you're right or left handed.

Also available is the MB4320 Magnifier. This allows you to see even the smallest parts with ease. The magnifier window attaches directly to the outside of the work station window with Velcro for easy removal. It provides 2.4X magnification, with a large lens and a wide field of focus, giving excellent visibility.

WS2200-2CE LARGE WORKSTATION

The WS2200-2CE workstation is a larger work cabinet for use with the microabrasive systems where larger parts can be processed.

'BIG BOX' WS2260 WORK STATION

The 'Big Box' Work Station from Comco is designed to take large parts for abrasive blasting. The cabinet which measures 36"W x 20"H x 24"D features an access door opening of 32" x 7.5", a tempered glass window, dual cool white fluorescent lamps and a 4" collar on the back for dust collection.

PROCENTRE

The ProCentre from Comco is designed to be an all in one, integrated unit that combines the work cabinet and dust collection system in an ergonomic and compact unit. The system features a compact design along with an automated shaker and hopper. The system can be adapted for all the range of Microblasters and the dust collection system is up to 50% more efficient than standard dust collectors.

The whole range of micro-blasters from the MB1000 up to the PowerFlo systems can be situated on top of the workstation to allow maximum operator comfort and efficiency whilst maintaining control over the Microblasters.

NEW The Pro-Centre is now available with ESD control for static sensitive applications. Ioniser bars are added to cover the entire work area with ionised air, a conductive floor mat, 12" edge-grounding strip, and a trough needle-grounding probe. These features significantly reduce ESD Buildup within the grounding chamber, thereby reducing the possibility of static discharge on delicate electronic parts.

SA1200 SURFACE ABRADER

The SA12OO Surface Abrader is a system to provide a very even cleaning or abrading of top surfaces of parts. The parts are carried on a 12" wide belt through a closed chamber where two micro abrasive nozzles sweep the top surface of the parts very uniformly.

Uses for the SA12OO in the electronics industry include : cleaning the back side of silicon wafers, etching optical filters through photo resist masks, cleaning pads on hybrid circuits, removing slag from capacitor chips before termination, cleaning solder mask from PCB's, and texturing connector insulator surfaces prior to bonding.

The SA12OO is a compact free-standing system using a 36" long conveyor made up of a large number of round abrasion resistant polyurethane belts. The work surface is 36" above the floor, with operator loading to the left and unloading to the right of the abrade chamber.

The cleaning or abrading effect will vary, depending on a number of factors including: type of abrasive chosen, air pressure, speed of the nozzle sweep and of the belt, height of nozzle above surface, and number of passes. The process can handle very delicate parts by the selection of soft abrasives and operating at a lower pressure.

The height of the nozzles will also affect the area of the part to be covered with each pass. Positioning the nozzles so they overlap provides a uniform finish without streaks or lines.

The SA12OO Surface Abrader is available in continuous belt feed or precision stepping belt models.

The only way to answer the question of surface finish obtainable on either the SA1202 or SA1203 is to process sample parts. We would be happy to have a sample parts tested and will provide a detailed evaluation along with the returned samples. Call us if you would like further information or to arrange for samples to be processed.

PR1100 SURFACE PROFILER

The new PR1101 Profiler is a flexible workstation that gives automatic nozzle positioning by combining a computer-controlled X-Y table with the small carbide nozzles. It is possible to make very precise lines, circles, patterns or holes on the top surface of parts held in a nest. With a nozzle position repeatability of 0.0005 in./in. the necessary control is available to work on a small pad or a large array of repetitive holes.

In the electronics industry, this could have a wide variety of uses, including:

cleaning laser-drilled holes in ceramics

Permanently etching serial numbers on precision optical lenses

Removing contamination or solder mask from PC boards

Cuffing circles or drilling holes in silicon wafers

Cleaning resist or glass from hybrid circuits

Deburring cavities in very small medical parts

Texturing pads for increased mechanical strength in bonding

And more...

Programmed adjustment of the nozzle travel speed and dwell time varies, controlling the depth of the cut. The abrasive can flow during the nozzle movement, resulting in a solid pattern, or it can be turned on/off to create intermittent patterns or drilled holes. Nozzle height is manually adjustable above the nest to accommodate different thickness. Line widths can be changed by using different Comco nozzles (from .010" round to .150 slot).

Various media is available to change the abrasive effect. Aluminum oxides and silicon carbides perform cutting, texturing or drilling on hard materials, while bicarbonate of soda or walnut shells are more effective in cleaning resists or conformal coatings from fragile parts.