Preventing ESD damage in electronic manufacture
Electronic equipment manufacturers know that small electrostatic discharges (ESD), which can occur during assembly and handling of printed circuit boards and modules in electronic equipment. ESD damage can cause failed components leading to equipment test failures and rework costs, or latent component failures which could cause failures in equipment in the field.
Whilst it is difficult to attribute specific failures to ESD damage, most manufacturers prefer to prevent possible damage and reliability problems by assembling equipment under electrostatic safe conditions in an electrostatic protected area (EPA). In Europe, guidance is given in the EN100015 series of standards, and many manufacturers adhere to this as part of their Quality Assurance procedures. Whilst installation of static preventative equipment can provide good protection against static damage, the effectiveness of these measures can be compromised by working practices, materials and equipment allowed into the EPA.
Good quality advice on effective implementation of EN10015 or in-house standards, tailored to suit the manufacturer's needs, can lead to significant savings in equipment outlay as well as product failure and rework costs.
ESD, a much disastrous danger than one would expect
What is ESD ?
ESD is the acronym for Electrostatic discharge. Discharges of static electricity is a physical phenomena that we can experience every day e.g.combing hairs, zaps after touching a doorknob, lightning ...
Mostly, electrostatic discharges are not harmful for humans, but the effect that they have on electrical components, is the same as the effect of a lightning bolt striking a tree.
ESD Rubber Mat, ESD Floor Mat, ESD Cleanroom Mat, ESD Anti Fatigue Mat, ESD Chair Mat, ESD Floor Runner, ESD Bags, ESD Wrist Strap, ESD Heel Grounders
What causes ESD ?
When two materials come into contact, they share electrons.
After separating the materials they become charged.
The material giving up electrons becomes positively charged while the material accepting the electrons becomes negatively charged. The relative tendency to become positively or negatively charged is an intrinsic material property.
This property is summarized in the triboelectric series.
If a charged object comes near an object with a difference in
electrostatic potential, an electrostatic discharge will take place.
Mostly we don't notice these discharges. It takes more than 3000 Volts to feel, 5000 Volts to hear, and 10.000 Volts to see a discharge.
Do you have the right chair?
When performing written work, we often shift to the edge of our chair so we can sit up straighter and reduce the load on our lower back muscles. This results in a space that is too small to sit on and consequently too much pressure on the skin. What's more, in this position, we can't use the armrests anymore, nor do we have any support for our back. A chair with its seat and back tilted forwards will prevent these problems. The back support assumes the load on the lower back muscles. If you add armrests with adjustable height and width, you will also prevent a static load on the neck and shoulder muscles.
When talking on the phone or with a colleague, we often flop back in our chairs. The slouching that follows causes the back muscles to take on a static load. A seat and back that tilt backwards along with the occupant prevent slouching so that the spinal column keeps its natural posture. Achieving the proper position for sitting means choosing the proper chair - one that is specifically set up for each individual and made for a specific activity, such as working at a computer (NEN 3002/ISO 9241-3*). Expert advice based on knowledge of organisational, environmental and product ergonomics is a prerequisite to making these specific choices.
BMA developed the Axia ESD. The chair is fully conductive, preventing damage to electronic equipment from even minor static discharges. The Axia ESD is perfectly suited for implementation in highly critical ESD environments such as the electronics industry, and is available in the following versions: Axia Flex, Axia Pro, Axia Plus and Axia Office.
Besides guaranteed safe ESD working, the Axia ESD has all the characteristics of an ergonomic office chair. The Axia ESD is an ergonomic chair that complies with the IEC 61340-5-1:2002 standard for an ESD-safe
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ESD Safe Tools.
15 November 2010Wiha ESD Tools. The greatest danger when working with electronic components is electrostatic discharge. Even small amounts of charge that are not discernable to the user can destroy the delicate structure of the components. Wiha's ESD tools are conform to the international ESD standard IEC 61340-5-1. (Read more)
ESD
7 September 2010ESD is the acronym for Electrostatic discharge. Discharges of static electricity is a physical phenomena that we can experience every day e.g.combing hairs, zaps after touching a doorknob, lightning ...
Mostly, electrostatic discharges are not harmful for humans, but the effect that they have on electrical components, is the same as the effect of a lightning bolt striking a tree. (Read more)