Category Archives: Updates&Articles

Unlocking the Future of Smart Manufacturing: ONBoard Solutions and Panasonic Connect Elevate Australian Industry

We are excited to share that ONBoard Solutions is taking its strategic partnership with Panasonic Connect to the next level, bringing Australian manufacturers access to advanced smart factory solutions, cutting-edge equipment, and end-to-end support.

Your business takes more than just a printer, a placer, and software. You need a complete, connected manufacturing ecosystem to stay competitive. That is where Panasonic Connect’s Total Solutions Offering (TSO) comes in. By integrating best-in-class equipment, software, and technology into one seamless solution, backed by industry-leading support, Panasonic Connect keeps operations running at peak performance.

With TSO, manufacturers can:

  • Mitigate risk with turnkey, fully integrated production solutions managed by the PanaCIM ecosystem.
  • Overcome staffing challenges by optimising resources with automation and training platforms.
  • Optimise supply chains to meet deadlines with smarter inventory management and production efficiency.
  • Enable smart factory operations through real-time monitoring, automation, and 24/7 support.
  • Advance sustainability with waste reduction and intelligent hardware/software solutions.

As Panasonic’s strategic partner in Australia, ONBoard Solutions is excited to deliver these capabilities locally.

Why is this partnership important?

As a global distributor, ONBoard Solutions enables local businesses to tap into Panasonic Connect’s leading capabilities. Our partnership provides Australian manufacturers access to high-reliability SMT production, cleanroom equipment, and automation solutions. ONBoard’s technical staff will always share industry expertise and provide ongoing support throughout every project.

Spotlight – Advanced Manufacturing Equipment

  • As a Tier 1 quality supplier, Panasonic Connect plays a major role in PCBA and advanced manufacturing. Their portfolio goes beyond standard SMT machines, offering specialised systems for the microelectronics device manufacturing with high-precision and advanced packaging manufacturing applications. Key equipment includes:
  • Plasma Cleaner – for surface preparation and contamination removal
  • Ultrasonic Bonder – enabling high-strength, reliable interconnects
  • Flip-Chip Bonder – for advanced semiconductor and microelectronics packaging
  • Die Bonder – delivers precise die placement and attachment for semiconductor devices
  • Dry Etcher – for ensuring ultra-accurate patterning and microfabrication
  • Plasma Cleaner (advanced variants) – tailored to critical cleanroom and semiconductor requirements

These technologies, combined with Panasonic’s renowned SMT systems, provide manufacturers with flexible, all-in-one solutions designed to meet the highest quality and productivity standards.

Total Integrated Smart Factory

One of the most important standouts of Panasonic Connect is their Total Integrated Solutions approach that brings together equipment, software, and automation into a fully connected smart factory ecosystem.

From screen printers, SMT machines, and optical inspection to microelectronics, metrology, and material management, all solutions are designed to optimise productivity, reduce risk, and support sustainability across diverse manufacturing environments.

Software Integration – PanaCIM

Driving systems’ integration is PanaCIM, a powerful platform that unifies production, materials, and compliance. It connects every stage of production into one seamless system. For manufacturers, it delivers real-time monitoring, material control, and full traceability, helping to reduce scrap, cut inventory costs, and speed up changeovers. With ERP integration and scalable modules, PanaCIM gives Australian manufacturers the flexibility to start small and expand, while ensuring compliance, productivity, and sustainability across their operations.

Engage directly with our engineering experts to discover how our joint capabilities in manufacturing, printing, welding, or software can help you succeed.

E Info@onboardsolutions.com

T +61 2 9695 1030

25 Years Strong: The ONBoard Solutions Story

 

Peter Ruefli reflects on the ONBoard Solutions journey. Working both hard and smart with dedication, surrounding the business with the right people, and never losing sight of technology developments. He shares how the right mix and balance of these ingredients have shaped two and a half decades of success.

Peter, how did it all start? What was your path into the electronics industry?
I grew up in Solothurn, Switzerland, and began an apprenticeship in electromechanics at 16. I worked at Robert Bosch for a year before my military service, and then I joined Zevatech Automation, which was the European agent for Juki SMT equipment. In my early twenties I travelled widely, installing machines throughout Europe for customers in defence and consumer electronics. I learnt a lot. That experience gave me both technical grounding in the PCBA segment and international exposure.

What brought you to Australia?
I always wanted overseas work experience. A Juki agent in Australia offered me a service engineer role, so I applied for a visa. When it finally came through, I was 27, packed my bags, and arrived in Sydney with a one-way ticket. I started in Bankstown, first as a service engineer and soon after as National Sales Manager.

How did that experience lead to starting your own business?
After spending some time in Australia, I worked for a small company specialising in surveillance systems, but the products proved unsuccessful and luckily for me, I failed. When that ended, I decided to follow my own vision. In June 2000, with a handfull of dollars and a spare bedroom in Coogee, Sydney, I founded ONBoard Solutions. My first supplier was Inventec Chemical Performance, a French company providing solder paste and cleaning materials.

Was there any breakthrough moment? How did you start growing beyond consumables?
In 2002 after a year of qualification work I won the supply contract for solder paste at Robert Bosch in Clayton. It was averaging 1 tonne per month, which still today is more than all combined Australian customers.

Joshua Lawson joined me, and together we built a broader portfolio. By 2006 we could offer turnkey SMT solutions, both in equipment and materials. Around that time, we also expanded into cleanroom consumables, recognising that production in a controlled environment has a better product quality outcome. Especially in Microelectronics.

That opened new markets in universities, research, semiconductors, and later pharmaceuticals. Joshua is one of the people who had a great impact on me and the business.

What does OnBoard look like today?
We now have three strong divisions:

  • SMT equipment – representing tier-one suppliers like Panasonic Connect & Rehm Thermal Systems.
  • Materials technology – Epoxies, Pastes , coatings, cleaning products & Dielectric cooling fluids and more.
  • Cleanroom consumables – supporting electronics, medical, and pharmaceutical customers.

Although we are a small team of eight, our customers span defence, medical devices, universities, OEMs, subcontractors, and pharma.

You achieved ISO 9001 certification quite early on. Why was that important?
It formalised how we operate and opened new opportunities. Among our peers as an International supplier, we remain one of the few players in Australia with ISO 9001. I believe it shows the maturity of the business. We are serious about what we do and how we do it.

How do you choose suppliers like your latest Panasonic Connect?
We only represent technologies we fully believe in. Panasonic Connect is a global leader in pick-and-place equipment, with unmatched precision and throughput. Speed on a small footprint, the ability to place both very small and large components, and seamless integration with third-party systems make Panasonic stand out.
With its factory integration software called PanaCim it can easily help manage your production floor, from materials management to traceability

If you do not trust the manufacturer, you can’t sell with confidence.

Sustainability is a growing focus. How are you approaching it?
Environmental responsibility is a big topic for me personally. We invest time and effort in running our operations as sustainably as possible. For example, we run a solvent recycling program. We collect used material from customers, distil it, and return a purified product.
This reduces waste and lowers costs. In cleanrooms, we also partner with companies that recycle gowns and gloves. It is about thinking outside the box and offering customers the practical ways to act sustainably.

What has been your proudest achievement so far?
The team. Building a dedicated group that supports each other and our customers is more important to me than revenue numbers. Of course, reaching 25 years in operation is also something I am very proud of. I am grateful to the people who helped me along the way. Being surrounded by smart, educated and courageous people has always inspired me and pushed me to grow.

Another achievement worth mentioning is deliverables to our clients. We have always gone beyond to make sure orders are on time and technical assistance is provided promptly.

Looking ahead, what is next for ONBoard?
We want to strengthen rather than chase breadth. That means investing in a larger facility to better operate our business pulling back from 3PL for better control, possibly with our own cleanroom facilities. Our role is to stay ahead of technology trends and help customers manufacture better, whether through equipment, materials, or consulting. Building networks and connecting people will also play an important role, as we see ourselves contributing to shaping the industry and supporting growth through knowledge sharing and education.

What advice would you give your younger self?
Have a balance between education and enjoying good times with friends.
Follow your intuition, be carefree and at the same time be mindful of the path ahead creating your curriculum vitae.

Travel, explore, and gain experiences—those broaden your perspective and make you better prepared for the path ahead.

Success can be measured in many ways, do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—it always pays off.

Annex 1

Annex 1 Revisions

Cleanrooms, and controlled environments play a critical role in maintaining high levels of cleanliness and sterility within various industries, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and biotechnology. These controlled environments are subject to specific guidelines and standards to ensure the quality of the products and processes with minimal contamination risks. Annex 1 Revisions have been published by the European Commission.

Annex 1 Revisions

The Annex 1 Revisions, of the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines has brought about significant changes that will reverberate throughout the cleanroom industry. The changes outlined must be effective by the 25th of August, 2023.

Summary of Changes in Revised EU GMP Annex 1:

Scope, Principle, and Glossary:

The scope of the annex has been expanded to include additional areas beyond sterile products, such as:

  • Contamination control strategy
  • Design of premises
  • Cleanroom classification
  • Qualification
  • Validation
  • Monitoring
  • Personnel gowning

References to the importance of applying Quality Risk Management (QRM) principles have been added, and special requirements for sterile products are categorised into three categories. A glossary has been introduced to clarify terminology and avoid ambiguities.

Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS):

The section lists specific requirements for sterile product manufacture, emphasising:

  • Risk management
  • Knowledge and process understanding
  • Non-conformity management
  • Management responsibility
  • Access to information

Non-conformity investigation related to sterility or microbiological load is highlighted.

Premises:

The Annex 1 Revisions premises chapter now explicitly uses the term “cleanrooms” and outlines different classes and classification requirements. The importance of “at rest” and “operational” states is emphasised, and requirements for total particle concentration and allowable microbial contamination are slightly changed.

Periodic re-qualification of cleanrooms and clean air equipment is emphasised, and the use of Restricted Access Barrier Systems (RABS) as a barrier technology is introduced. The section also contains a comprehensive description of airlocks, airflow patterns, and air pressure requirements is provided. A new requirement was also added – the ability to observe Class A and B areas from the outside.

Equipment:

The revised chapter outlines the need for an equipment design description, precautions, and cleaning and sterilisation processes.

When do changes come into affect?

The EU GMP Annex 1 Revisions for the manufacturing of sterile products will be effective on the 25th of August, 2023.

Annex 1 Revisions Guides

Want to learn how to Validate Protective Clean Room Garments? Read the DuPont guide, here.

Read about the Practice Gowning Implications for Annex 1 in the Alsico guide, here.

 

Protective Coating for Multifunctional Applications

Protective Coating for Multifunctional Applications

Protective Coating for Multifunctional Applications – with a focus on what matters most

The upper surface of a plant’s leaves is its outermost defence, not only protecting it against pests and water loss, but also helping shake off dirt or increase resistance. This is a particularly well-known characteristic of the lotus flower: Water just drips right off its leaves. This was the biological inspiration behind innovative, self-cleaning surface coatings with what is known as the “lotus effect”.

The protective lacquer coating on electronic units acts in a similar way. Our coating systems ProtectoXP and ProtectoXC protect sensitive components so that aggressive environmental influences such as moisture, corrosion, chemicals, dust or vibration simply drip off. High-selectivity conformal coating is the key to ensuring electronics work reliably and is indispensable in modern manufacturing. The use of protective lacquer coatings makes perfect sense for conserving the functionality of circuit boards over a long period. Fields of application range from offshore wind farms through shipbuilding, military hardware, telecommunications, medical technology, industrial control and automotive systems to electronics in private households.

The Protecto series at a glance
Strong in the process – the coating systems from Rehm

Would you like to combine optimal coating solutions and reliable drying methods in your manufacturing process? Are you looking for a high-performance facility that can be smoothly integrated into small production spaces, perfectly suited for coating small batches and requiring only manageable investment costs? The coating systems from Rehm impress with their process reliability – for large and small lot sizes. Our conformal coating concept consists of the Protecto coating unit and an RDS coating dryer, including handling based on customer specification.

Safe and accurate to the result material application

Protecto meets your requirements for the highest quality, stability and productivity in automatic inline coating services. With up to 4 coating applicators, you can synchronise several modules simultaneously in master-slave mode to apply the coating or directly apply with up to 4 different materials without set-up time.

At the heart of the Protecto is coating management working in tandem with nozzle technology. Up to two coating applicators can be used – with a wide range of possibilities. The same nozzle can be used to switch between dispensing, spraying and jetting procedures “on the fly”. Parts which are
high up or close together are easy to reach thanks to the slim nozzle design with only 2.4 mm and a length of up to 100mm. If necessary, parts can be flushed from below due to the
patented Vario Coat nozzle, ensuring that hidden ports.

All-in-One Coating

The patented Stream-Coat® nozzles are compatible with all conventional coatings, from low-viscosity to high-viscosity. With Protecto coating systems you can carry out the various
selective application procedures of dispensing, spraying, jetting and curtain coating, “on the fly”. An implicit air nozzle precisely dispenses the coating and distributes it with little
splatter or mist. The homogeneous film of coating can, with the aid of the adjustable airstream, even be applied under or behind adjacent component pins and in shadow zones
without the need to tilt the applicator.

 

The application determines the equipment – Variety of coating applicators

We have the right equipment for every individual process. Our broad portfolio of paint applicators allows a variety of applications. Both proprietary developments come into play
as well as applicators from suppliers who have already established themselves in the market. Various options such as material needles, patented two-material nozzles and material warmers, are available for the respective applicator. Thus, the plant equipment can be selected using a wide range of different accessories that provides the best combination of cost-effectiveness and process performance.

Greatest possible process reliability with innovative options

When it comes to coating, one thing is essential: precision. Protecto systems are designed to ensure that the required volume of coating is always evenly applied, whether through a pressure valve, a cartridge or a pump from the original container. Automatic needle measurement checks the target position of the applicators in freely definable cycles and if necessary corrects the coating program automatically. The dispensing of the coating is controlled by the software, which loads the appropriate coating program with the suitable coating and nozzle type. An optional heated nozzle keeps the protective coating always at a constant temperature and thus a consistent viscosity regardless of environmental conditions. A specially developed coating lance with a level indicator prevents bubble formation when changing the coating.

For absolute process reliability Protecto systems are optionally equipped with a fiducial camera. This means the coating program can be corrected and coated in the correct position by registering the marks even if a board is laid into the flight bar inaccurately. A barcode checks whether the set coating program is right for the assembly in place. If
there is a deviation the process is automatically blocked.

A high-precision weighing cell is optionally available for the Protecto systems, which compares the weight of the paint applied by any given applicator with a previously defined
setpoint value and provides the user with corresponding feedback in the setup mode as well as cyclically during series production. As a result, errors in the fluid circuit can
be easily and efficiently detected, and eliminated without delay. The acquisition of weight data, as well as configuration and adjustment, are software controlled and can be
individually adapted.

More than “just” coating – Application possibilities with ProtectoXP/XC

With the Protecto systems, completely new application fields are emerging – even outside of the conformal coating sector. Thanks to the highly flexible system construction, you can
use ProtectoXC to combine for three and ProtectoXP for four processes within one machine.

In addition to sealing the entire circuit board, partial areas or individual components can also be coated on the support. With innovative nozzle technology, the user can apply a wide variety of materials to the module – so each product will be optimally protected later according to the requirements.

  • Dam & Fill 3D-Application
  • Sealing
  • Globe Top
  • Flip Chip Underfill
  • 2K Encapsulation
  • Heat Dissipation
  • Individual Requirements
Smart software for efficient processes

With ViCON, Rehm offers the optimal software solution for its systems – ECAD data import
possible with ProtectoXP and ProtectoXC

A variety of analysis tools, more productivity, efficiency, flexible working and the highest quality: With ViCON, Rehm Thermal Systems has designed and created software that meets all the requirements of modern, networked, and above all, future-orientated electronics manufacturing. Alongside the use of touch operating elements and gestures, the new organisation of menu options and control panels, the core feature of ViCON software’s development lies in the option of accessing the software from a variety of devices. The ProtectoXP and ProtectoXC dispensing systems are equipped with the ViCON Protecto system software and have numerous features for easy program creation for reproducible coating results.

Following the successful introduction of ViCON for Rehm’s reflow convection soldering systems, the software has now been specially adapted to the requirements of the ProtectoXP and ProtectoXC dispensing systems. The main feature of ViCON Protecto is the option of importing ECAD data and image files directly and optimising ECAD data for the coating process by cutting. The integrated camera also enables stitching: A complete image of the printed circuit board can be created and further processed from several
individual images. While the program is being created, the user is supported by a wizard that shows the user all current progress by means of colour-coded pointers, and thus easily
facilitates usability.

After selecting an applicator, users can access a coating database via ViCON Protecto that has been filled by the application specialists of Rehm Thermal Systems and contains all the important coatings with their parameters. ViCON Protecto enables programs to be created offline, which can be used simultaneously with the current production process. With the camera integrated into the Protecto coating systems, ViCON software can be used to read both fiducials as well as (data matrix) codes (DMC).

The objective of ViCON Protecto is to configure the system’s current operating status clearly. The operator can react quickly and intuitively to status and alarm messages. At the same time, access rights, views and favourites are tailored to each user. The specifications of ViCON Protecto are based on the basic elements of ViCON, which have already performed impressively in the convection soldering systems of the Vision series. Thanks to colour coding, the operator can also easily identify and assign the status of the display from a greater distance. ViCON software is also consistently designed to accommodate multiple languages. The simplicity with which you can switch “on the fly” to the preferred language simplifies worldwide remote access to other Rehm systems and operating in an international environment. Alarm messages can be clearly viewed, interpreted, edited
and processed at the top of the screen – the relevance of the alarms is displayed in different colours. To control the system individually, the operator can individually create a
favourites bar, that includes relevant and necessary parameters and control elements. These then appear on the main screen and at a definite point on each page.

Process locking and traceability – for a detailed process documentation

Depending on the production environment, the Protecto systems can be optionally connected to an MES in various ways. Any combination of the various configuration stages
of production data acquisition (PDA), traceability, process locking and material locking ensures flexible production.

The Protecto systems can be optionally connected to a line master computer or an MES. Depending on the configuration, various data is communicated between MES and ProtectoXP/XC. An interface specially designed by Rehm (ROI – Rehm Open Interface) is used. On the one hand, this means a high degree of standardisation; on the other hand, customer-specific adaptation can be carried out without problems. To identify the module, an ID-reader (bar code, DMC, RFID) is installed on the conveyor belt in front of the system and connected to the Protecto control.

Alternatively, the barcode can also be transmitted via the Hermes interface. Optionally, the identification can also be carried out via the MES. This ensures absolute process reliability through process locking and can guarantee seamless documentation by means of unique data records for each module.

MES-components:

  • PDA
  • Trace Data
  • Process Locking
  • Material Locking
Reliable process – for cleaning and maintenance

Rehm has developed a ground-breaking cleaning system for Protecto systems which is particularly maintenance-friendly. A brush station with a solvent bath allows optimum cleaning of the lacquer nozzles. Even if the system has been off for up several days – depending on the used material – it is operational at the touch of a button without additional cleaning work. The cleaning tank protects nozzles, cables, connections and ports from drying out and automatically cleans the system during downtime, without wasting resources.

This allows long processes to run without requiring maintenance. Depending on the materials even long downtimes without cleaning and flushing the valves or system are possible. All control elements and lacquer stocks are easy to access for the performance of maintenance tasks.

Optimum assembly protection without contamination of the work environment

To prevent contamination from vaporised solvents of lacquers and compounds in the immediate vicinity of the Protecto systems, the lacquer supply is integrated in the system at the back of the plant. This means there is no odour pollution from random releases of solvent vapours into the environment. The plant also has an extractor system which conducts and removes solvent-containing evaporations to the in-house exhaust system during the coating process.

View Rehm ProtectoXP, here.

Protective Coating for Multifunctional Applications

Transition from Phased-out 3M Novec and Fluorinert Solvents

The Smooth Transition from Phased-out 3M™ Novec and Fluorinert Solvents

Transition from Phased-out 3M Novec and Fluorinert Solvents

3M has recently announced that all Novec PFAS-based products, will be discontinued by the end of 2025. Transition from Phased-out 3M Novec and Fluorinert Solvents

This will effect products for cleaning and cooling applications.

In partnership with Inventec, we are here to offer suitable replacements for all Novec and Fluorinert solvents. View the official announcement here.

For over 25 years, Inventec has been a reliable partner of 3M in supplying their cleaning solvents together with Inventec’s own formulations to a worldwide customer base.

We understand very well the technicalities of these fluids and the processes in which they are used. Inventec & ONBoard Solutions are well placed to offer the right alternative for you.

Below is a summary of the transition from phased-out 3M Novec and Fluorinert Solvents and suitable replacements.

Promosolv & Thermasolv Suitable Replacements

NOVEC RANGEPROMOSOLV RANGE
NOVEC 71 IPANOVEC 71 IPA
NOVEC 7100PROMOSOLV DR3
NOVEC 71 DEPROMOSOLV DE1
NOVEC 7200PROMOSOLV DR3
NOVEC 7500THERMASOLV IM 3
NOVEC 72 DEPROMOSOLV 70
NOVEC 71 DAPROMOSOLV 70ES
NOVEC 73 DEPROMOSOLV 70
NOVEC 72 DAPROMOSOLV 70ES
NOVEC FLUX REMOVERQUICKSOLV DEF 70
NOVEC 7100-DLPROMOSOLV DR3
NOVEC 7100 REGPROMOSOLV DR3 REG
NOVEC & FluorinertTHERMASOLV Equivalence
NOVEC 649THERMASOLV IM2
NOVEC 7100THERMASOLV IM1
NOVEC 7500THERMASOLV IM3
NOVEC 7300THERMASOLV IM 4
NOVEC 7700THERMASOLV IM 5
FLUORINERT FC 72THERMASOLV CF2
FLUORINERT FC 43THERMASOLV CF1
FLUORINERT FC 40THERMASOLV CF2
FLUORINERT FC 3284THERMASOLV CF1

Full List of Impacted Products

3M™ Electronic Surfactant 4200
3M™ Electronic Surfactant 4300
3M™ FA-188 Foam Additive
3M™ FC-5000 Ionic Liquid Antistat
3M™ Fluorad™ Battery Electrolyte HQ-115
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-40
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-149
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-3243
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-3283
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-3284
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-43
3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid FC-770
3M™ Fluorinert™ FC-72 Electronic Liquid
3M™ Ionic Liquid Antistat FC-4400
3M™ Novec ™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid
3M™ Novec ™ Contact Cleaner
3M™ Novec™ 1700 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 1702 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 1720 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 1902 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 1904 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 1908 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 2202 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 2701 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 2704 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 2708 Electronic Grade Coating
3M™ Novec™ 4710 Insulating Gas
3M™ Novec™ 5110 Insulating Gas
3M™ Novec™ 612 Magnesium Protection Fluid
Precision Cleaning

The Art of Precision Cleaning

Sustainable and Economic Technology: Precision Cleaning

Precision cleaning is a surface treatment process that removes contaminants from a surface at a micro-level. Failure to remove contamination at the micro-level can impact product reliability and performance.

Surface Tension of Cleaning Agents

Surface Tension

Solvents have much less surface tension than detergents, which in turn offers high cleaning power. Lower surface tension offers higher wetting power, which allows solvents to deep clean in micro areas, such as blind holes, or under surface mounted components.

Learn More

Concept of Vapour Degreasing

In a basic configuration, there are 2 sumps inside a vapour degreaser. The first sump boils the solvent and creates the vapour phase. Then, cooling coils catch pure vapour and condensate back to the rinsing sump through a water separator.

With this method, the rinsing sump remains clean, meaning that the vapour degreaser is actually recycling solvent while it is running. Ultrasonic generators can be attached to both sumps to give additional agitation.

Concept of Vapour Degreasing

Vapour Degreasing Equipment

Benefits of Vapour Degreasing

– Better cleaning results
– Shorter process time (typical dry-to-dry cycle within minutes)
– No cross-contamination
– Lower energy usage
– Less waste disposal costs
– No water consumption
– Lowest possible post-cleaning residue

What about the Environment?

In the early 1990s, with the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, aqueous systems were favoured to eliminate ozone-depleting solvents such as CFC-113, HCFC-141b and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

New technologies, such as non-ozone depleting and VOC-free solvents are now available, helping to protect our water usage and the ozone layer.

Together with the improvements in equipment design, vapour degreasing is a much more environmentally friendly process

Learn More – Ozone Depleting Substances

Precision Cleaning Applications

Precision Cleaning Applications

Precision Cleaning Applications

Read More

Do you have a difficult product to clean?
Contact us for a free trial

Temporary Masking Using UV92

Temporary Masking Using HumiSeal UV92 Masking Gel to Encapsulate Components

Using HumiSeal UV92 to Encapsulate Components

HumiSeal UV92 UV Curable Masking Gel is the ideal product to completely encapsulate components, leaving no residue behind after demasking. Using HumiSeal UV92 to Encapsulate Components is beneficial due to its easy use and curing on applications with space limitations.

HumiSeal UV92 is a soft, one-part, thixotropic paste, and UV curable material that is easily applied because of its shearing thinning viscosity. The main benefit is that it provides a temporary barrier to prevent ingress of coatings into keep-out areas.

HumiSeal UV92 has:
  • Excellent solvent resistance that provides selective release from conformal coating.
  • Ability to survive intermittent exposure to temperatures up to 150°C.
  • REACH and RoHS compliance.
HumiSeal UV92 Properties:
  • Applies easily by syringes and dispensing machines.
  • Keeps contact points and connections free of coating.
  • Will not tarnish gold, tin, copper, phosphor bronze and Sn/Pb solder.
  • Easily removed by peeling – leaves no residue to interfere with subsequent operations.
Application of HumiSeal UV92:

Tools required:

  • HumiSeal UV92
  • Dispensing hand gun and needle gauge 14 to 18
  • Gauge 14-18 needles
  • UV Torch
  • UV protection glasses
  • Tweezers

Apply HumiSeal UV92 at a thickness up to 5mm to areas on a printed circuit board where coating is not desired. Cure HumiSeal UV92 under recommended UV exposure before applying a HumiSeal conformal coating. Remove HumiSeal UV92 from the completed board by gently peeling it away from the surface of the protected area.

To learn more about HumiSeal UV92 UV Curable Masking Gel, click here.
For a free sample of HumiSeal UV92 UV Curable Masking Gel, contact us, today!
QUICK TR1300A Hot Air Rework Station

Introducing the QUICK TR1300A Rework Station

The latest model from QUICK’s line of Desoldering & Rework stations is here! Meet the new QUICK TR1300A Hot Air Rework Station, designed to improve desoldering efficiency.

The QUICK TR1300A Hot Air Rework Station is lead-free and ESD Safe. The latest addition to the QUICK range of smart tools and desoldering and rework stations offers fantastic performance, including the following key elements:

  • Quick nozzle replacement
  • Multi-function handle holder, smart start-stop
  • Bend-resistant bending spring ensures stable flow output
  • Standard ally nozzles, custom nozzles available
  • Spit design
  • Key type control

In addition, the Hot Air Rework Station also offers:

  • Multipoint temperature digital calibration, password lock function
  • Parameters of three channels pre-set memory
  • Temperature alarm function, °C and °F interchangeable
  • Ability to adopt two-stage supercharging brushless pump, air pressure stability, long life
  • Capability to set the parametres such as temperature, air velocity and time
  • Ceramic heating element, plug type design
  • ESD design, ESD testing function

To learn more about the QUICK TR1300A, read the full product description here.

To order a QUICK TR1300A Hot Air Rework Station, contact us today!

Looking for cost-effective quality assurance? Viscom is here!

Viscom has developed a series of best-of-class inspection systems. Over 30 years of industry knowledge and innovation have led Viscom to develop a range of high-precision inspection technologies. These systems inspect concealed solder joints, miniaturised components or densely packed circuit boards fast and reliably are prerequisites for flawless, 100% reliable products.

The Viscom range of systems includes:

ONBoard Solutions customers successfully integrating Viscom Technology include:

Hetech Logo

“Hetech needed to implement Class 3 inspection utilising automated AOI to expand our go-to-market capabilities. After looking into systems available this led us to select and implement the Viscom S3088UltraBlue 2D/3D AOI system. Hetech now can provide a stronger, more efficient production process for our customers. The support provided by ONBoard Solutions and Viscom Support has been well received and the system is now an integral part of our SMT process verification strategy and we have been satisfied with the investment.”

-David Edington, Hetech Director

SRX Logo

“We really saw the benefits of low false reading, as in the past it created more work to acknowledge false rather the verify the actual defects. Viscom with its sophisticated software and high-resolution camera addressed this properly.”

-Nick Niculita, Engineering Manager

Welcoming our Newest Partnership with MBTech!

Welcome, MBTech Cleaning Systems

ONBoard Solutions is proud to announce a new partnership with French company, MBTech Cleaning Systems as part of their overall global expansion. Our team is delighted to be the official and exclusive distributor of MBTech High Precision Cleaning Machines in both Australia and New Zealand.

MBTech Specialises in Water-Based Immersion Cleaning Technologies, particularly for:

  • Printing Applications Cleaning.
  • Electronic Boards Cleaning.
  • Semiconductor Cleaning.
  • Maintenance Cleaning.

In this case, our sales team recorded its first success with MBTech Cleaning Systems in just a few weeks. The sale and installation of an MBTech MC200 Maintenance Cleaner to Legrand, based in Prestons, NSW.

MBTech Cleaning Systems
MBTech Cleaning Systems, Legrand, Sydney

The MC200 is based on spray in air technology. Parts are placed into a stainless-steel basket and submitted to a high-flow/low-pressure sprayer’s superior cleaning performance from 3 directions, while the basket rotates. As a result, the parts are perfectly cleaned in just a few minutes.

The MC200 Maintenance Cleaning Equipment is an overall efficient Cleaning System, that provides:

  • Ergonomic loading and unloading.
  • High-pressure nozzles in 3 directions, hence avoiding a shadow effect.
  • Heavy-duty rotating basket.
  • Water-based closed-loop process.
  • Rinse free.
  • No compressed air facility.
  • Superior hot air drying.
  • Optional air knife between each step.
  • Optional filtration, specifically to extend the wash solution lifetime.
  • Full stainless-steel construction with a containment tray.

Our client can now enjoy all these benefits, as well as quick cleaning, with a very low running cost, for wave solder frames and reflow oven filters.

Cleaning problem? Let’s solve it together!                                                 Contact us!

To learn more about how an MBTech High Precision Cleaning System can benefit your company, contact us here or on 02 9695 1030.