Page 59 - PCMI Journal December 2021

Maintenance Tips For PCM Etching Equipment
Kirk Lauver, Marketing and Customer Lab Manager, Chemcut Corporation, U1S2/6/21
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Maintenance Tips For PCM Etching Equipment The Impact Of Chemistry On Maintenance
Minimizing The Effects Of All Three Of The Chemistry Issues
When returning the solution to the etcher reverse the flow using clean filters. To avoid picking up precipitates from the drums, don’t pump from the bottom few centimeters of solution.
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Maintenance Tips For PCM Etching Equipment The Impact Of Chemistry On Maintenance
Summary
• Drain and clean, powerwash if necessary, on a regular schedule
• Keep the specific gravity (Baume’) and pH constant
• Filter the etching solution if it will be reused (finest filter media possible)
• Check the inside of piping for scale build up
• Check seals and O-rings for abrasive wear
• Above all: Don’t let the problem get ahead of you.
• Some machine parts can be cleaned in special solutions, such as bifluoride, but these solutions are hazardous and require special training and the removal of all titanium parts (see the next section on nozzles).
Issue 138 December 2021 PCMI Journal 59
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