Cleaning & Coating Removal Applications
- Circuit boards: conformal coating removal for replacement of failed components
- Stents: remove laser slag and surface defects without compromising the integrity of the underlying material
- Guide wire: selectively remove PTFE coatings
- Ceramic components: remove metalization to improve electrical isolation
- Turbine blades: refurbish blades by removing the protective oxide layer
- Pacemakers: remove excess encapsulation material that seeps out from the header during installation
- Thermocouples: remove MgO to expose contacts for bonding on heat-sensing harnesses
- Fossils: remove matrix surrounding an embedded fossil
- Artifacts: remove residues from paintings or clean stone masonry
- Hot runner nozzles: clean residue buildup to increase lifespan of expensive nozzles
- Molds: remove EDM recast and discoloration
MicroBlasting Case Study: Conformal Coating Removal on Circuit Boards
Conformal coatings must be removed—either entirely or in specific areas—when a component fails, to expose a test point, or for reverse engineering.
MicroBlasting is inherently precise and controllable. For coating removal, abrasive selection drives the process. An abrasive with a blocky-shaped particle may quickly and easily remove one type of coating but smear another type. One coating may respond well to a sharper particle, while another coating may be too thin for an aggressive media.
Wheat starch is the softest abrasive for conformal coating removal and excellent for abrading thin, pliable coatings like parylene and acrylic.
Sodium bicarbonate is a soft abrasive, but is the most aggressive option for conformal coating removal. Its particles have a needle‐like shape, which makes it an excellent abrading tool against pliable materials. Sodium bicarbonate is recommended for hard, stubborn coatings.
Plastic media and walnut shell are also effective for certain types of coatings.
MicroBlasting Capabilities Proven
An Experienced & Qualified Team
Engineers lead the process from concept to development. Our focus is on ensuring the process will work in production. We are as good at figuring out new applications as demonstrating what we have already done.
Our State-of-the-Art Lab
Our lab contains a complete range of MicroBlasting tools—from our manual stations to the fully programmable automated systems to run your samples. In addition, we have a complete inspection suite to document our results.
Comprehensive Results Ready for You
All results are captured in a clear and detailed report with pictures that you can take right back to your team along with the finished part.
Applied Engineering With a Deep Understanding of Industrial Manufacturing
Our engineers have a background in medical, aerospace, and the semiconductor industries. While we are experts at MicroBlasting, we can also “speak your language.”
Our Equipment
The AccuFlo
The AccuFlo® produces a steady flow of abrasive which ensures consistent results. It processes parts faster than most traditional micro-abrasive blasters, and it does so with greater powder efficiency.
ProCenter Plus
Designed specifically for MicroBlasting, ProCenter Plus combines a compact dust collector and chair-height work chamber in one freestanding unit, creating a clean, comfortable work environment with great visibility.
Advanced Lathe
Advanced Lathe integrates micro-abrasive blasting technology with an advanced machining platform. This automated system delivers the accuracy, reliability and throughput to meet the challenges of today’s manufacturing environment.
JetCenter
In an evolution of our automated MicroBlasting platform JetCenter has created new options. In addition to having greater travel, this system was designed specifically to integrate additional types of motion and automation within the blast chamber. JetCenter is your go-to choice for large flat parts, or trays of smaller parts that need to be blasted individually.
