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| The production of static electricity in electronics manufacturing is inevitable. But electro-static discharge (ESD) can damage components, resulting in increased rework, repair and recall. Static can cause computer data or memory errors, while machine downtime is increased by jams and slippage. Ultimately, the consequences of static build up are higher costs and lower profit margins. |
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| Any Production Manager working within an electronics manufacturing company should be aware of ESD and the harmful effects it has on productivity. Static-safe flooring, straps and furniture are commonplace within such an environment, but further measures to eliminate static discharge are often overlooked. Electrolube has years of experience of supplying anti-static solutions to the electronics manufacturing industry and is the worldwide master distributor for the ACL Staticide® range of static-dissipative products. |
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What causes electro-static discharge?
In order to fully appreciate the implications of static electricity and learn how to control it, it is important to understand exactly what causes it. Whereas an electric current is the movement of electricity, static occurs when electricity accumulates and cannot ‘flow’. The movement of people and materials through an environment – the contact they have with the air and with objects – causes separation and generates an electrostatic charge. When this charge is transferred from the material that carries it to an electrostatic sensitive device, typically a metallic object, it is discharged in the form of a spark. It is this ESD ‘shock’, which can occur in varying degrees, that is harmful to electrical components and devices. |
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| It is not possible to prevent static electricity from being generated, as static is a naturally occurring phenomenon. In addition and contrary to popular belief, virtually any material can generate static – it is the conductive properties of the object and its ability to store or dissipate the charge that varies. Broadly speaking, there are three degrees of electrical resistance. Insulative materials, such as rubber, are highly resistant to electricity as electrons cannot flow across them. Conversely, conductive materials like metals allow an electric charge to flow easily. |
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| The third category is static dissipative materials. These have a lower electrical resistance than insulators and so electricity can pass through them, but they are more resistant than conductors. Although they can generate static, these materials allow the transfer of electrons to the ground or to other conductive objects, and it is these that allow the formulation of anti-static treatments for the entire workplace. |
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What types of static control products are available?
The basics of static-control are employed by most ESD-aware companies. These include special flooring, furniture and straps. But there is a whole range of consumable products available that work either independent of or alongside these more expensive options to enhance their effectiveness and help eliminate static-generated manufacturing problems. |
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| The list below is a typical range of anti-static consumable products for use throughout a manufacturing facility. These can normally be purchased through one dedicated supplier. |
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- Static dissipative floor finish systems for tiled, vinyl and other hard flooring
- Static dissipative Polyurethane Paint for concrete floors
- Ready-to-use dilutions for porous and non-porous surfaces and for mats
and table tops
- Cleaning solutions for use throughout manufacturing facilities
- Anti-static cleaning wipes for keyboards, screens, telephones and lenses
- Electrostatic detection meters
- Clean room treatments
- Spray coatings; a hand lotion and even an ESD-safe waste basket ideal for clean rooms, manufacturing, inspection, quality control and research applications
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| Such products are designed to protect all ESD-sensitive areas for the production life of the product and can be an inexpensive, easy-to-use and highly effective method of achieving long-term static control. |
