The IPC standards adopted by the electronic package manufacturing and service industry set the optimum value for the relative humidity (RH) of the environment in which components and PCBs should be stored at 5%. It means that moisture-sensitive devices (MSDs) after being removed from their protective packaging should be stored in an environment where there is only 5% water vapor in the air, compared to the amount that would potentially saturate the air at a given temperature.
Storing components in a higher humidity environment involves the risk of corrosion (especially of the leads), as well as violation by the manufacturing factory of the IPC standards in which the order was contracted, which can have far-reaching consequences.
Electronics production and service are typically carried out in environments with 40-60% RH. This indicates the need to locally reduce the humidity of component storage spaces. Drying cabinets are commonly used for this application. Such equipment provides and maintains the low humidity levels necessary to keep components safe in accordance with IPC standards. Based on the range of REECO drying cabinets offered by the Polish company RENEX, we will take a look at the possibilities of this type of equipment and the factors to pay attention to when making such an investment.
As with any other equipment entering an electronics manufacturing or servicing facility, the first thing to look at when selecting a drying cabinet is whether it has been protected against electrostatic discharge. This is crucial, since there are similar units available on the market for storing, e.g., chemicals, where such requirements do not apply. All REECO products are designed to operate within ESD zones by electronics manufacturing specialists. The next step is to check whether the humidity level maintained by the device complies with the standards expected for the storage of electronic components.
Once again, the accessibility of equipment from other industries provided for different values can cause problems in selection. REECO’s devices provide safe storage of components in accordance with IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033B.1 by providing a humidity level of less than 5% RH, with 2% RH being the standard value obtained.
What is particularly crucial is that the drying modules in REECO products operate at all times, maintaining the required humidity level regardless of the proper functioning of the sensors. This provides additional safeguards for stored components in case the sensors fail. Ease of operation of the units is also a significant factor. REECO drying cabinets are easy to operate and do not require panel operation. Installation is limited to connecting the unit to a power source and no settings are required.
The application of REECO drying cabinets is not limited to storing electronic components therein. They are top-class solutions, which allows them to be used in all areas requiring the maintenance of a low humidity level. They help preserve the service life of photographic and optical lenses, films, cameras, audiovisual equipment, valuable papers and canvases, precision instruments, as well as chemical and medical materials. REECO drying cabinet housings are made of high-quality 1 mm thick sheet metal with a hard resin coating and 3.2 mm thick tempered glass. The door frames are covered with magnetic rubber, which guarantees the maintenance of a reliable seal. The units are not based on dehumidification by heating, so they are energy-efficient and free from condensation and fan noise.
The average power consumption of the device is 47 W, while the maximum is 370 W. REECO drying cabinets are available in 10 variants differing in capacity and number of doors to suit any scale of operation.
What’s next?
REECO drying cabinets manufacturer is one of the largest and longest-established Polish companies providing comprehensive support for the electronics industry – RENEX Group. REECO drying cabinets and other equipment from the wide range of RENEX products can be seen and tested in operation at the RENEX TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING CENTER and DEMOROOM in Wloclawek. RENEX Technical and Sales Advisors, who have demonstration tools and equipment at their disposal, conduct product presentations at customers’ sites free of charge – so that they can pick the optimal solution. Customers therefore do not have to be concerned that the purchased product will not meet their expectations.
As with any other equipment entering an electronics manufacturing or servicing facility, the first thing to look at when selecting a drying cabinet is whether it has been protected against electrostatic discharge. This is crucial, since there are similar units available on the market for storing, e.g., chemicals, where such requirements do not apply. All REECO products are designed to operate within ESD zones by electronics manufacturing specialists. The next step is to check whether the humidity level maintained by the device complies with the standards expected for the storage of electronic components.
RENEX has been supporting the development of the Polish electronics industry for more than 30 years. The company pursues the mission of providing a comprehensive offer in one place – i.e. all the products and services needed by its partners. Today, the current structures of RENEX Group include specialized consulting, training, research and development and distribution entities. Despite the Group’s tremendous growth, its main focus remains the provision of support for the electronics industry – in particular, for electronic services, including those in police and military budget units. A key issue for RENEX Group is also to support educational activities in technical fields. Through supplying the same equipment to universities’ and high schools’ laboratories as to businesses, it enables students to familiarize themselves with real working tools and improve their skills.
The Group also provides a full range of consulting and advisory services. As part of its training business, it operates the largest IPC Authorized Training Center in Central and Eastern Europe – providing courses in, among other things, anti-static protection and IPC standards, and the YAMAHA Authorized Training Center, providing courses in robotics and automation. RENEX Group has more than twenty thousand types of products in its product portfolio, including equipment, tools, clothing, furniture and consumables necessary for service operations. The Group is a partner of global brands, supplying JBC and PACE equipment, Piergiacomi hand tools, Indium solder pastes, Solderstar cleaning preparations and Tagarno digital microscopes, to name a few.
With a full inventory in Poland, the Group supplies almost all of its own and distributed products on hand allowing its partners to respond quickly to unforeseen situations. The logistics and product support provided is complemented by professional warranty and post-warranty service. The Group has also created the RENEX TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING CENTER and DEMOROOM in Wloclawek where RENEX customers and partners can see and test equipment from the offer in action. Specialists working at the Center also provide training and consulting support.