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7.3 Compressed Air Standards (ISO 8573)

Pneumatic actuators in pick-and-place heads and screen printers operate at high speeds with tight tolerances. Contaminants in the compressed air supply cause valve stiction, nozzle clogging, and oil deposition on optics. This chapter mandates compliance with ISO 8573-1 air purity classes.

7.33.1 ClimateThe ControlISO (HVAC)8573-1 Class 1.2.1 Standard 

Electronics manufacturing requires air that is dry, oil-free, and particle-free.

  • TheParticulates Humidity(Class Window:1): Strict0.1 maintenance– of0.5 micron size limits. Filters must capture dust to prevent abrasive wear on solenoids.
  • 40-60%Water RH(Class 2):. Pressure Dew Point (PDP) must be ≤ -40°C.
    • Too Dry (<30%):Why: ESDWater riskvapor explodes.condenses as air expands in the machine tools. Liquid water washes away lubricants and rusts internal components.
  • Oil (Class 1): Total oil content ≤ 0.01 mg/m³. Oil mist coats sensors and lenses, causing vision system failures.

7.3.2 Nitrogen (N2) Generation 

For soldering processes requiring inert atmospheres (to reduce oxidation and improve wetting):

  • Purity: 99.99% (4N) minimum for OSP finishes; 99.999% (5N) for wafer bumping.
  • TooO2 Wet (>60%):Monitoring: MoistureOxygen Sensitive Devices (MSD) absorb water, leading to "popcorning"sensors in the reflow oven.tunnel must actively control N2 injection to maintain < 1000 PPM O2 concentration.

  • Final Checklist

    TemperatureUtility

    Standard

    Impact Stability:of Failure

    Air Particulates

    ISO MaintainingClass 22°1

    Clogged Vacuum Nozzles

    Air Moisture

    ISO Class 2 (-40°C ±3°C.PDP)

    Rusted LargeSolenoids swings/ affectStiction

    Air solderOil

    ISO pasteClass viscosity1 and(Oil machineFree)

    Contaminated calibration.Vision Systems

    Nitrogen

    > 99.99% Purity

    Poor Wetting / Head-in-Pillow

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