Gen3 Systems announces new and improved cleanliness testers
FARNBOROUGH, UK – February 10, 2010 – The Gen3 Systems CONTAMINOMETER (CM Series) have been revised, improved and simplified with 2 entirely new machines now added to the range: CM22 and CM33.
This makes the CM Series range more cost effective and provides better flexibility to suit all customers’ needs. We are now able to offer 4 individual machines from the CM Series range, each tailoring to your specific needs.
CM11+ – A Bench-top system
CM22 – A free-standing system incorporating a large capacity test chamber
CM33 – A free-standing system designed for larger boards or assemblies
CM66 – The new and updated version of our CM60
The CM Series (Contaminometers) machines all feature the following:
- Solid gold measuring cell, ballistic amplifier giving a test accuracy of <0.005S/cm (Auto-ranging)
- Unique Curvefitting Analysis <5 minute test time
- Accurate measurement even when the proportion of Test Solution to Surface Area under test are huge
- Automatic temperature compensation for each test
- Meets the requirements of all international and military specifications
- IPC-J-STD 001E & IPC-TM-650
- MIL-STD 2000
- MIL-P-28809
- DEF standard 00-10/3
- IEC specifications
About Ionic contamination testing
Since the adoption of lead-free processes, no clean or low solids fluxes and controlled atmosphere soldering systems, ionic contamination monitoring has become an essential process control parameter in the manufacture of electronic circuit boards, components and assemblies.
Standards such as IPC-J-STD001 refer to ROSE (Resistivity Of Solvent Extracted) or SEC (Solvent Extract Conductivity) testing but most commonly it is known as Cleanliness Testing.
Ionic contamination testing is required as ionic residues remaining from both the PCB manufacturing process and the soldering process may affect the reliability of a finished assembly. In a humid environment, ionic contaminants can cause problems such as shorting between conductors by electrolytic dendrite growth, corrosion that erodes the conductors themselves or loss of insulation resistance. It is therefore important to monitor the level of ionic contamination, giving an indication of the cleanliness and thereby the expected reliability of an assembly.
Ionic contamination is measured by immersing a sample in a test solution of 2-propanol and de-ionised water to dissolve the contaminants. The dissolved ionic substances cause a change in conductivity of the test solution; this change is precisely measured and converted into a contamination value expressed as μg/cm2 NaCl equivalence.
Testing a number of samples per hour or per day, any changes in ionic contamination level will be detected, rapidly alerting the operator to a process variation or fault affecting the contamination level and thus the quality of the boards.
The CM Series utilise a solid gold measuring cell, ballistic amplifier and a vigorous pumping system to achieve superior measurement accuracy of <0.005S/cm even at very low conductivity values.
Automatic temperature compensation is incorporated in the electronic control system, the method of temperature measurement being by a thermistor positioned in the test cell. The Contaminometer software uses a complex algorithm to automatically compensate for ambient temperature, circuit volume and atmospheric absorption of iogenic gases. Temperature is monitored and all measurements are related to the international standard of 20°C (68°F).
The CM Systems have been designed to avoid polarisation effects between electrodes as might occur when using DC test currents.
Equally error signals, caused by both DC and AC currents, are eliminated and high accuracy is ensured even at low conductivity values.
This permits our equipment to measure accurately even when the proportion of Test solution to Surface Area under test are huge.
Automatic temperature compensation is incorporated in the electronic control system, the method of temperature measurement being by a thermistor positioned in the test cell. The Contaminometer software uses a complex algorithm to automatically compensate for ambient temperature, circuit volume and atmospheric absorption of iogenic gases. Temperature is monitored and all measurements are related to the international standard of 20°C (68°F).
About Gen3 Systems
Gen3 Systems is dedicated to tackling the demanding electronics reliability challenges of lead-free assembly and further electronics miniaturisation. The company is a specialist manufacturer of test and measurement equipment used for process control and to predict the reliability of electronic circuits and systems in the field. In addition, the company designs and manufactures dip and spray coating process equipment in both in-line and bench-top formats.
Gen3 Systems’ Managing Director Graham Naisbitt is a member of the IEC’s TC91 WG3, the working group that formulates test standards for the assembly industry. Naisbitt also works on several IPC Standard Committee’s and is a member of the UK Electronics/AG.
Gen3 Systems is founded on the former Concoat Systems Limited. Concoat Systems and its company slogan “Engineering Reliability in Electronics” (which has been retained by Gen3 Systems) was a familiar name in Europe, Asia and much of North America. The new company was launched by its family owners after former sister company Concoat Limited was sold to US firm Chase Corporation in 2005.
Gen3 Systems also provides training, equipment and expertise for manufacturers requiring assessment of their electronic products’ reliability. The company also assists with standards development via both the IPC and IEC.
Gen3 Systems operates from premises near Farnborough Business Park, on the M3 corridor and just 30 minutes from London’s Heathrow Airport.
The company’s product range and services include:
- AUTOSIR Surface Insulation Resistance (SIR and CAF) test system
- MUST 3 solderability test system
- GENSONIC Stencil Cleaning System
- CM SERIES cleanliness test systems
- SC SERIES spray coating systems, both batch and in-line
- DC SERIES dip coating systems, both batch and in-line
- TEST SERVICES for circuit reliability, solderability and cleanliness
Gen3 Systems are the UK Distributor for:
- ACE
- MARANTZ
- OPTILIA
- STOELTING
- KIRSTEN
- HUMISEAL
- MB TECH
- VACUNEST
5th Mar 2010