Recognizing
The Need For Fume Extraction:
Both managers and operators
alike are placing more emphasis on health and safety in the work place. In the case of the
electronics industry there is no doubt that fumes associated with the production process
emits harmful toxins into the workplace. Soldering, fluxes, solvents, adhesives, and
sealants are all recognized causes of occupational asthma. Due to the high temperatures
needed in hand soldering, fumes created from this process are one of the most common
pollutants in the electronics workplace.
Commonly used solder wire in
the electronics industry incorporates rosin or flux core. This flux is based on colophony,
a resin derived from pine trees. The high level of acidity in resin acts to clean any
layer of oxidation on the components being soldered, allowing for a better bond, blemish
free surface and thus improving overall joint quality. However, it is this rosin core that
is burning off during the soldering process as evident by the fumes being emitted from the
solder joint. The danger lies in these fumes that contain both particulate matter and
gaseous compounds capable of causing a variety of work associated ailments including:
* Headaches
& Dizziness |
|
* Nose
Bleeds |
* Chronic
Bronchitis & Chest Pain |
|
* Dermatitis |
* Eye &
Sinus Irritation |
|
*
Occupational Asthma |
Synthetic "non-rosin"
fluxes have been found to contain even higher levels of irritating compounds in the fumes
and thus pose a greater danger in the work place. Common toxic particulates and gaseous
compounds found in solder fumes include:
* Ethane |
|
* Methyl
Alcohol |
* Acetone |
|
* Toluene |
*
Hydrocarbons |
|
* Diterpene
Acid |
*
Formaldehyde |
|
* Carbon
Dioxide |
* Carbon
Monoxide |
|
* Rosin
Particulates |
For the assembly line, it is
key to find the best system to efficiently and cost effectively reduce health hazards
inherent with exposure to the fumes in the workplace no matter what your industry or
application.
For the factory manager,
additional concerns lie in finding a reliable supplier of fume extraction equipment that
will improve the workplace environment, decrease operator exposure to harmful particulates
and gases in a cost effective manner without intrusion into the work space. In additional,
increase regulation of the work place eventually will lead to government requirements
limiting operator exposure to harmful fumes and thus it is imperative to find a partner
organization capable of working with factory personnel to develop programs to meet new
environmental regulations. XY Plus' full line of
fume extraction systems were developed in England to address the stringent regulations in
the UK and meet all current governmental regulations there. XY
Plus has an ongoing program to develop new products to help your
organization attain occupational and safety hazard compliance worldwide.
The XY
Plus Solution To Your Fume Extraction Needs:
The XY
Plus range of fume extractors were developed with the express purpose of
purifying the air and removing or neutralizing the toxins and particulates commonly found
in the electronics industry manufacturing process. The XY Plus
system combines a powerful vacuum pump with a 3 stage filtering and purification system to
remove 99.997% of air-borne particulates down to 0.3 microns ( Stage 1 Pre-Filter ) and
95% of particulates as small as 0.01 microns ( Stage 2 HEPA Filter). Improving on typical
systems available today that provide a thin layer of activated charcoal coated sponge, XY Plus filtration systems includes a Stage 3 filter
sandwich of bonded gas media that neutralize gaseous pollutants commonly found in the
electronics manufacturing environment. The system is designed so that contaminated air
spends a minimum "DWELL" time of 0.1 - 0.3 seconds in the neutralizing media to
insure that purified air - cleaner than the air typically found in the workplace - is
pumped back into the work place. Filters are available for special applications that
require the removal of particulate gases and / or fumes as well as for industries other
than electronics assembly.
Our brushless high performance
motors are built for years of maintenance - free operation and powerful enough for long
trunking runs. A motor cooling system totally independent of the fume extraction flow
means that the motor runs cooler and extracted fumes can not clog up the motor. A heavy
gauge steel case with finely welded seams insures better vacuum and prevents leakage while
acting as a sound barrier making the XY Plus
systems the quietest available. In additional, a built in silencer not only reduces noise
levels but eliminates the need for unsightly external devices. Easy to change self sealing
filters prevent particulates and gases from seeping in around the filter, escaping back
into the work environment while shortening pump life. Unique to the industry, an easy to
read filter gauge helps you plan filter changes, ensuring constant protection. The sturdy
construction of the XY Plus range of systems
provide all the features you demand in a compact and versatile unit while helping your
business to better comply with governmental regulations.
The XY
Plus System Advantage:
* High efficiency , low
wattage pumps. |
|
* Motor cooling system
independent of fume extraction air flow. |
* Compact & portable
systems. |
* Very low noise levels. |
* Durable , low maintenance
design. |
* Best quality , filters in
the industry. |
* Simple and quick filter
replacement. |
* Easy to read filter
condition gauge on all units except the VT-2 & HC-3. |
* Simple to operate. |
* Automatic airflow
balancing system. |
* Innovative solutions to
every setting. |
* Turnkey approach. |
* ESD safe accessories. |
When reviewing the need for
fume extraction, you will discover that systems take many forms on the factory floor. We
can break down into two categories.
(A). Vacuum or Compression
which are systems dependent on a tightly sealed tubing system with small extraction tubes
mounted on the soldering iron to vacuum fumes at the sources. The big advantage of this
system lies in the low installed cost per operator. Disadvantage are that it requires a
more rigorous maintenance schedule and captures only 75-80% of the fumes.
(B). Volume systems use larger
extraction arms to capture the fumes on the work bench and draw them through the filtering
station. This unit captures<90% of the fumes and can also be used with solder pots,
cabinets and in other volume applications. The disadvantage is the higher installed cost
per operator served.
XY Plus offers both types of systems in a product
line that is the most comprehensive in the industry. All units are self-contained with
filters that CLEAN the air rather than simply pushing the air from point A to B as would
table top fume absorbers or blower systems that push the plant air outside.
Please press one of the
following icons to get detailed information on the many types of systems we offer:
