When manufacturing electronics, clean instrument air is required. This is to ensure that there are no quality issues such as rust or corrosion. To achieve the ideal conditions, you need an oil-free compressor that produces dry air. It is also good to invest in a versatile device that can be used in various steps of electronics production.
An oil-free scroll compressor is a machine that can meet these needs. It can be used in cleanroom environments, precision assembly, etching of circuit boards, and protection against moisture and corrosion. In addition, having the right dryer is essential to obtain high-purity air. A complete setup is required to ensure that no dust, debris or other particles enter the delicate electronic components.
Whether you are etching patterns on circuit boards or powering tools used on assembly lines, you need precise control of the compressed air you need. Atlas Copco's SF+ scroll compressor series is an all-in-one solution. Its compact design comes with an integrated refrigerated or adsorption dryer. In the following article, we will look at the benefits of using such a machine.
01 What is instrument air?
Instrument air meets stricter guidelines than general industrial air. It is free of oil, moisture, microorganisms and other contaminants. With this in mind, not all compressor units are suitable for supplying instrument air. Oil-injected compressors are particularly unsuitable. This is because it is not possible to remove all oil particles by filtering.
In many industrial applications, oil is not a problem. However, when processing electronic assemblies, this contaminant can damage the end product. To ensure you are producing excellent instrument air, use an ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 0 compressor. While you may read about ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1 "technically oil-free" machines, they are not adequate for instrument air requirements.
02 Integrated scroll compressor
As mentioned above, the Atlas Copco SF+ range offers a wide range of scroll compressor solutions, depending on your needs and applications. Due to the working principle of the scroll compressor, it does not require oil as a lubricant. This is because there is no friction between the two scrolls used to compress the air, and the fan can be used to keep the machine cool during long periods of use.
This frictionless design means that the SF+ range offers excellent reliability. In addition, it is equipped with the SMARTLINK application to provide remote monitoring functions to ensure smooth operation of the machine. In terms of efficiency, it uses IE3 motors that meet the new standards, as well as the Elektronikon® Touch controller and, in the larger models, variable flow technology. The latter automatically starts and stops the scroll airend according to demand.
Another advantage of the SF+ range is that the compressor is relatively quiet. The machine produces only 52 dB(A) of noise during operation, which provides better working conditions for your employees. In addition, it is versatile and available in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the right one according to your needs.
03 Nitrogen production
If you're producing printed circuit boards (PCBs), you need high-purity nitrogen for wave soldering, reflow, and selective soldering. An effective way to ensure consistency is to generate your own nitrogen (N2) on-site. The SF+ Series supplies the compressed air needed to generate the nitrogen used in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly.
You can control much of the air and gas generation yourself, allowing you to confidently manufacture products on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Generating nitrogen on-site also saves money because you don't have to deal with the logistics associated with transporting nitrogen.
04Choose the right equipment
We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits of using a scroll compressor to produce instrument air. That said, the right solution will depend on your pressure and flow needs. You’ll need to size and dimension appropriately, as well as the space and application, to find the right machine.
Our knowledgeable team is happy to help you navigate this conundrum and provide you with an evaluation designed just for you. We’re also happy to discuss and compare other compressor options and explain why a scroll compressor is a better fit than other compressed air technologies. When you’re ready to get started, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
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