In the PCB manufacturing process, electroplating plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and functionality of the boards. Two main types of electroplating equipment are used: **horizontal PCB electroplating lines** and **vertical electroplating lines**. These systems differ primarily in how they transport the circuit boards through the plating process, resulting in different structural designs and maintenance requirements.
– **Horizontal Electroplating Line**: In this system, the PCB boards are transported horizontally through the electroplating bath. The boards are generally moved on a conveyor system that ensures they remain submerged in the solution for an adequate duration.
– **Vertical Electroplating Line**: This setup involves vertical movement of the PCBs through the electroplating bath. The boards are suspended and moved vertically, which allows for different handling and plating strategies.
Despite the structural differences, both systems perform similar functions. The key variation lies in the method of board transport and the design of the conveyance system, which directly influences maintenance procedures.
**Daily Maintenance and Care Procedures**
Although horizontal and vertical electroplating lines are designed differently, the maintenance tasks for the plating tanks are fundamentally similar. Below are the standard procedures for maintaining the plating tanks and other components.
### 1. **Maintenance of Plating Tanks**
The primary distinction between the vertical and horizontal lines is the way the boards are transported, but when it comes to maintaining the tanks themselves, the methods remain largely the same.
– **Cleaning**: It is recommended to clean the plating tanks once every **7 days**. This includes:
– **Pickling tank**: Drain and clean the tank, replacing the bath solution.
– **Spray device inspection**: Check for blockages and clear them as needed.
– **Electrolyte Maintenance**:
– For the **copper plating tank**, **tin plating tank**, and their respective conductive supports (including anode connections), wipe these surfaces using a rag or sandpaper during cleaning.
– **Basket and Tin Strip Inspection**: Replace any damaged titanium baskets, tin strip baskets, and deteriorated components. Add fresh copper balls and tin strips as needed.
– **Electrolysis Testing**: After adding copper balls and tin strips, perform electrolysis on the copper and tin electroplating baths to ensure that the electrolyte solutions are functioning correctly. This should be done every **7 days** to verify the stability of production.
– **Long-Term Maintenance**:
– The copper ball and anode bags should be cleaned every **90 days**.
– **Bath Filtration**: To maintain solution quality, use activated carbon to filter the bath every **120 to 150 days**, removing impurities that can degrade plating quality.
– **Tin Bath Cleaning**: Once every 120-150 days, the tin plating bath should be thoroughly cleaned to ensure optimal performance.
### 2. **Maintenance of the Vibration Mechanism (Vertical Plating Line)**
For **vertical electroplating lines**, the mechanism that vibrates and rocks the circuit boards during the electroplating process is essential. The vibration ensures uniform copper deposition on both the surface and the holes of the PCB.
– **Vibration Mechanism Care**: Regular inspection and maintenance of the rocking or vibrating system are critical for consistent plating results. Over time, mechanical wear or debris buildup can impair the uniformity of electroplating. Ensure the vibration mechanism is free from obstruction and operating smoothly to maintain consistent copper layer quality.
**Conclusion**
Proper maintenance of electroplating equipment in PCB production is essential to ensure consistent quality and prevent downtime. While the maintenance procedures for horizontal and vertical plating lines are largely similar, specific attention must be given to the transportation systems and the vibrational mechanisms in vertical lines to guarantee optimal performance. Regular tank cleaning, electrolyte replenishment, and equipment inspections should be part of a structured maintenance schedule to avoid disruptions and maintain high-quality plating.
### Maintenance Guidelines for Electroplating Equipment in PCB Production
1. **Vibrating Mechanism Maintenance (30d & 180d)**
– **30-day Maintenance**: Inspect the reducer to ensure proper operation and check its tightness. Verify the motor bolts of the vibration mounting for correct tightness, and check the condition of the vibration rubber. If excessive wear is observed, replace the rubber immediately.
– **180-day Maintenance**: Examine the power cord connections in the junction box for any looseness. Tighten any loose connectors and replace any power cords showing signs of melted or aged insulation to maintain safety. Inspect all bearings on the vibrating mechanism, replacing any that are severely worn, and perform lubrication if necessary.
2. **Vertical Electroplating Line Crane Maintenance**
– **Weekly Maintenance**: Clean the crane and hanger weekly using a rag and sandpaper for polishing, ensuring the appearance remains neat. No disassembly of components is needed during cleaning.
– **30-day Maintenance**: Inspect the hanger for any damage. Also, check the crane’s motor and reducer, along with the entire transmission system, ensuring everything operates smoothly.
– **180-day Maintenance**: Perform a thorough cleaning of the crane and hanging equipment. Remove the hanging equipment from the crane to clean it more effectively.
3. **Horizontal Electroplating Line Conveyor Maintenance**
– **7-day Maintenance**: Clean the rollers to remove any debris that may affect the board’s cleanliness during transport. Check the coupling for looseness to avoid operational issues.
– **180-day Maintenance**: Inspect the rollers for signs of wear, replacing any damaged rollers to ensure smooth transport. Additionally, check the entire transmission system—including gears, shafts, and motors—and make necessary repairs if issues arise.
4. **Circulating Filter System Maintenance**
– **7-day Maintenance**: Inspect the filter cartridge for leaks. Clean or replace the filter core as needed to maintain proper filtration.
– **30-day Maintenance**: Replace the filter carbon core to ensure optimal filtration and maintain the flow rate. Clean the filter pump, air pump filter hood, and screen to prevent clogging. Check the pump motor’s power cord for any loose connections or signs of aging and replace the cord if necessary.
5. **Electrical System Maintenance**
– **7-day Maintenance**: Inspect the output power of the power supply, along with the heat dissipation of electrical control systems. Clean the radiator and remove any dust that could affect performance.
– **30-day Maintenance**: Inspect electrical components such as connectors, contactors, relays, and capacitors. Replace any damaged or corroded parts, and ensure good contact and soldering to prevent electrical failures.
6. **Automatic Feeding System Maintenance**
– **7-day Maintenance**: Perform a check and calibration of the automatic feeding system to ensure proper operation.
– **7-day Maintenance (Additional)**: Clean the electric heater to remove scale and dirt that may hinder heat distribution, preventing overheating.
7. **Water and Gas Piping System Maintenance**
– **7-day Maintenance**: Check all water and gas pipelines for leaks. Repair or replace any sections with running or leaking fluid to prevent damage to the equipment.
8. **Long-Term Shutdown Maintenance**
When the equipment is scheduled for a long-term shutdown, additional precautions must be taken to avoid corrosion or aging during inactivity:
– Clean the floors and wipe off any standing water to keep the ground dry.
– Ensure all machine platforms, tanks, drive mechanisms, and hangers are clean and dry.
– Wrap motors in plastic to protect them from dust and moisture.
– Lubricate all bearings with grease to prevent rust.
– Clean all pipelines and the filter barrel, ensuring that all filter elements are removed and cleaned.
– Clean and dry all heaters in the tanks to remove dirt and prevent moisture buildup.
9. **Importance of Timely Maintenance in PCB Production Equipment**
The maintenance needs of electroplating equipment in PCB manufacturing can vary depending on the specific production process and the equipment used by different manufacturers. Despite these variations, proper and timely maintenance is crucial. Neglecting maintenance due to production schedules or output demands can lead to equipment failure, compromised performance, and lower product quality. Only through consistent and accurate maintenance can equipment operate efficiently, ensuring stable performance and high-quality PCB production.
