Rotation and Linear Motion in Spray-in-Air Cleaning
Christoph Karl, Kristyna Zakova
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Brief Insight
Spray processes are widely used in electronics cleaning. In practice, the question often arises whether linearly moving spray arms deliver better and more reproducible results than rotating ones. This whitepaper investigates the topic through experiments and compares the local flow rate and cleaning performance of both approaches.
Delivery form: PDF
Article number: EN-2602-01
Whitepaper
Rotation and Linear Motion in Spray-in-Air Cleaning
Abstract
Machines with spray-in-air technology represent the predominant category of cleaning processes employed in electronics cleaning. This cleaning technology relies on relative motion between nozzles mounted on spray arms and the target cleaning goods to ensure comprehensive exposure of all surfaces to the cleaning medium. In batch systems, spray arms may operate in a rotational mode – analogous to the motion of fan blades – or in a linear mode, for example, traversing at a constant velocity from left to right and then returning.
In practice, end users have inquired whether linearly traversing spray arms outperform rotating configurations, and whether linear motion alone is capable of producing reproducible cleaning results. To address this, a series of experiments was conducted. The findings, which quantitatively compare the local volumetric flow distribution and the cleaning efficacy of both motion types, are presented in this white paper to provide an evidence-based answer to these questions.
Key Topics
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Components of spray systems in batch machines
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Volumetric flow distribution and arm motion
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Results & Discussion
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Christoph Karl
Project Engineer Applied Research
Christoph Karl studied Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Materials Engineering, earning a Dipl.Ing. degree. He then worked at the University of Birmingham and in the automotive supply industry.
At Zestron, he is active in the Applied Research Group, where he oversees topics and research projects related to metrology, analytics, plant engineering, and Design of Experiment (DoE).
In the Applied Research Group, he collaborates with R&D and application technology to develop new methods for analyzing cleaning under components and presents results in a highly targeted manner.
Kristyna Zakova
Project Engineer Applied Research
Kristyna Zakova studied Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Manufacturing Technology and Quality Management at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and worked during her studies in the Material Innovation Lab at an LED manufacturer. Afterward, she was employed in Quality Management at a manufacturer of industrial cleaning systems, where she was also responsible for system tests and FACs.
At Zestron, she works in the Applied Research department, engaging in research projects both internally and in cooperation with external partners. Her focus is on analytics, particularly ion chromatography and technical cleanliness, as well as the exploration of new analytical methods and the requirements for cleaning challenging surfaces. Thanks to her practical experience in the lab and plant engineering, she places great emphasis on the feasibility and real-world applicability of research results.
