Don't Mean to Shock Ya, but 3M Static Control is Now SCS

3M Static Control is now SCS. SCS is a brand of Desco Industries, Inc., who purchased 3M's Static Control business on January 2, 2015.

The SCS brand will use the same part numbers, offer the same quality products at the same pricing, and serve their customers by the same people at 3M's existing Sanford, NC facility. SCS offers the same professional-quality static-control products including Air Ionizers, Anti-Fatigue/Floor/Table Mats, ESD-Safe Garments & Safety Gear, Personal Grounding items, Static Shielding Bags, Tapes, Striping & Adhesives, Test & Measurement Equipment, and many more.

At QSource.com, you'll find more than 800 products of the former 3M Static Control in our new SCS Department. If you've regularly ordered a particular 3M part, there is no need to change the part number. Everything remains the same…just a new name.

To purchase SCS products, please visit our SCS page at QSource.com. For further information, you may also contact Q Source by phone (800-966-6020), email, or via our Web site.

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3M’s 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kits: All You Need to Create a Static-Safe Workstation

Do you have work areas/stations you need to monitor for static safety? Confused about what you need or what works together well to accomplish such monitoring? 3M has now made it a little easier for you with their new 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kits.

These two kits (identical other than the color of the included table mat) offer a ready-to-use monitoring solution that as all you need to create and maintain a static-safe workstation. The 3M 724K-WM10 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kit w/Gray 8810 Mat and 724K-WM11 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kit w/Blue 8811 Mat include the following:

• 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitor
• 2368 Dual-Wire Fabric Wrist Band for Monitors
• 2360 Dual-Conductor 5’ Ground Cord
• 8810 or 8811 Dissipative Rubber Table Mat in gray or blue, respectively

Each kit regularly sells for $284.18, but you'll save more than $30.00 when you purchase them at QSource.com. Visit our 3M 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitor Kit page to place your order or contact us by phone (800-966-6020) or via email.

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3M Receives EPA ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for Record 10th Year in a Row

In an Earth Day announcement, 3M revealed yesterday that they have earned a privilege that no other industrial company in the world has attained. For the 10th year in a row, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has presented 3M with the EPA ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award.

Recognizing the importance of energy efficiency and environmental concerns as a strategy for corporate social responsibility, 3M stated that they've worked the past 10 years (and longer) to improve their processes, raw materials, and efficient methods for resource savings. Among 3M's sustainable products are 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, 3M Window Films, and 3M LED Advanced Lighting.

The EPA recognized 3M for a number of efforts including:

• Implementation of 252 projects, which resulted in savings of $8.79 million and 61,700 metric tons of CO₂
• Development of a strategic initiative to identify and implement projects to make step-change improvements in greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency
• Formation of Centers of Excellence to integrate all aspects of sustainability into business strategies company-wide
• Enacting energy-saving innovations in diverse markets, and engaging communities globally in energy and sustainability dialogues

The Sustained Excellence achievement is the EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award. The EPA created ENERGY STAR in 1992 to stimulate corporate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 3M is the only company to ever receive the Sustained Excellence award ten years in a row.

In related news, 3M received the Xcel Energy 2013 Energy Efficiency Expo Award for saving nearly 1.8 million therms of gas. And in an effort to further solidify their commitment to corporate responsibility, 3M became a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary initiative that outlines 10 doctrines in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

Q Source has been an authorized distributor of 3M products for more than a decade. We congratulate them on their recognition and continued sustainability efforts.

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Training Ourselves to Better Serve You

For almost thirty years, we’ve aimed at being a solution-providing resource for our customers. One of the best ways we know how to do that is to be product experts. With that in mind, we’ve recently stepped up our in-house and off-site training sessions so that we can be even more qualified in making product suggestions to precisely fit your application needs.

The Techspray Roadshow

A Techspray representative speaks about
cleaning products for electronic assembly.

Two of our Territory Account Specialists, Jason Kuhlken and Diane Semple, recently attended the Techspray Roadshow hosted by ACI Technologies in Philadelphia. ACI is a premier testing and training facility for electronic assembly. Techspray is a leading developer of cleaners, coatings, and other safety-/performance-oriented chemicals and tools. Utilizing the latest equipment, they provided a perfect training ground for attendees to work with Techspray (and Plato) products in a real-world environment.

Our Account Specialists received an overview of cleaning applications (ranging from industrial degreasing to PCB defluxing), learned about the pros and cons of various cleaning methods, and were able to experience hands-on testing of the cleaning ability, spray force, usability, and plastic sensitivity of Techspray products.

In addition to sending our staff to on-location training sessions, we’ve arranged for a comprehensive schedule of in-house sessions to be attended by our entire crew. So far, these training sessions have included visits by reps from 3M, Unitron, and Elwood PCA/ADE, Inc.

3M on Static Control

3M rep David Leventhal & 3M’s Joe Gantner
talk about static control.

Appropriate solutions for static control can sometimes be confusing to nail down. With variables like environment, materials, and applications plus the concepts of conductive, static-dissipative, and ESD-safe options, well, finding the exact protective products can be challenging for the untrained. Our 3M rep, David Leventhal, and 3M’s Joe Gantner (Northeast Regional Manager), stopped by to put it all in perspective for us.

Starting with the basics about electrostatic discharge, electrical over-stress, etc., Leventhal and Gantner showed us how static is generated, the major problems caused by static, the types of damage to electronics, and all the shocking truths about ESD. Using their top-quality 3M static-control solutions, they demonstrated the different protective characteristics of static bags, the specific uses of ESD mats, and the importance of using continuous monitors.

Zooming Into Stereo Microscopes with Unitron

Unitron’s Peter D. Indrigo demonstrates parfocality.

One of our favorite application categories here at Q Source is microscopy/visual inspection. We understand the importance of using the correct tools whether you’re doing quality control, biological, or other detailed tasks. Peter D. Indrigo, Senior Vice President of Unitron, visited our office a couple weeks ago to help us enhance our knowledge of stereo microscopes, visual inspection systems, and more.

Indrigo brought a wide range of stereo microscopes and inspection systems along with him to provide us with a truly visual, hands-on training session. We began with the basic terms and anatomy of a stereo microscope and watched how all of the pieces fit together to influence field of view, magnification, and working distance. We learned about parfocality and the common accessories (such as ring lights, C-mounts, and reticles) that help create a powerful visual inspection system. Thanks to Mr. Indrigo we have a clearer focus on the topic.

PCA & ADE on the ABCs of Packaging

Tony Castellano (PCA) & Mike Marino (ADE)
discuss flexible packaging.

Our most recent visitors, Tony Castellano of Elwood PCA & Mike Marino of ADE, Inc., came in to discuss ESD protective packaging and other options related to storing and protecting sensitive devices. PCA (Packaging Corporation of America) and ADE are providers of packaging solutions for the industrial and consumer markets.

Castellano and Marino displayed a myriad of packaging options for static-sensitive devices and explained the importance of using the right material for categories like conductive/dissipative, anti-static shielding, anti-static, insulative, EMC, and environmental. They further expounded on that by detailing other attributes to consider such as chemical transfer, strength, water/moisture vapor transmission, testability, and other characteristics. By the time our visitors were done we felt they had wrapped up the subject in a neat little package.

In the coming weeks we have many more in-house training sessions scheduled. We’ll be better educating ourselves about all of the topics that are important to you (soldering, cleanroom, industrial printing, etc.) with the goal of becoming your number one solution-providing resource.

Please follow the appropriate links for information about our 3M static control solutions, Unitron stereo microscopes/visual inspection systems, and cleaning/assembly tools by Techspray & Plato. You can also give us a call at 800-966-6020 or contact us via email to place an order for those items or to get more info about PCA/ADE products.

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3M's Got You Covered with New Products to Protect Your Ears, Head, & Electronic Components

3M™ recently made announcements for three new products: The 3M H-800 Series Full Brim Hard Hat, the 3M Peltor™ Earmuffs X Series, and the 3M Static-Dissipative Heat-Activated Adhesive Cover Tape 2679. All three with a common purpose…to offer a protective covering.

3M H-800 Series Full Brim Hard Hat

The 3M H-800 Series Full Brim Hard Hat provides head protection that is easy to wear with a nod toward alleviating workers' frustrations with hard hats. The H-800 Series Hard Hats feature a lightweight shell, new advancements in suspension design, and 3M's patented UV indicator.

Available in eleven colors and three different styles (hi-viz, non-vented, and with the optional venting), the H-800 Hard Hat aims to meet workers' demands for comfort by offering three levels of adjustment; a smooth, easy-turning ratchet suspension; four- and six-point suspension combinations (enabling the hard hat to sit lower on head and reduce pressure points); and an absorbent brow pad. These high-impact resistant, full brim hard hats address safety concerns by using 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Material for enhanced visibility and an optional UVicator™ Sensor that indicates when the hard hat should be replaced because of UV exposure.

The adjustable, easy-to-use H-800 Series Full Brim Hard Hat meets the following standards:

• Hi-Viz H-800 Hard Hat colors meet ANSI Z89.1-2009 High-Visibility Performance requirements
• Non-vented H-800 Hard Hats meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 Type I Class C, G, and E requirements
• Vented H-800 Hard Hats meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 Type I, Class C requirements

3M Peltor Earmuffs X Series

3M's new Peltor X Series Earmuffs were created to protect the hearing of those working in high-noise environments. Featuring Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) of 21 dB to 31 dB, which is the highest NRR earmuff available on the market, the Peltor X Series was created to set new standards in hearing conservation and comfort.

The 3M Peltor Earmuffs utilize a combination of cutting-edge technologies including innovative designs for spacers, earcup liners, and cushion foam. These lightweight earmuffs also feature a dielectric wire headband (and twin headband design), a low-profile design, color coding, and soft, wide, easy-to-replace cushions. The 3M Peltor X Series Earmuffs are available in over-the-head and hard hat-attached models.

3M Static-Dissipative Heat-Activated Adhesive Cover Tape

3M's Static-Dissipative Heat-Activated Adhesive Cover Tape (Model 2679) provides protection for packaging electronic components in tape and reel. The 2679 Cover Tape was designed to seal such components into 3M polycarbonate carrier tapes for storage or transport.

The 3M 2679 Heat-Activated Cover Tape uses a heat application to seal with the carrier tape. The tape offers smoother peels (to reduce the risk of component migration and pick-and-place errors) and improved transparency for visual inspection (which also prevents picking mistakes), while protecting components from damage.

The 3M Model 2679 Static Dissipative Heat Activated Adhesive Cover Tape is RoHS compliant and available in 480-meter roll format with widths ranging from 5.2 mm to 49.4 mm.

To order any of these new 3M protective cover products please contact Q Source at 800-966-6020 or via email. We also offer almost 800 additional items in our 3M Department at QSource.com. Contact our helpful experts today for assistance with 3M solutions to meet your exact needs.

3M Wins Two 2012 Edison Awards

3M announced Monday that two of their products were honored with Silver 2012 Edison Awards. The 3M™ Kind Removal Silicone Tape and the 3M Aerobic Procedure for Lactic Acid Bacteria with 3M™ Petrifilm™ Aerobic Count Plate were recognized for innovation in the Lifestyle & Social Impact and Science/Medical categories, respectively.

The Edison Awards celebrate American innovation in product design and are named for inventor Thomas Alva Edison. This year's winners were announced at The Edison Best Products Award Gala in New York City on April 26.

The 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape is a next-generation, repositionable medical tape that integrates 3M's adhesive technology with a silicone base to provide a tape that is easily secured, but also easily removed…thus creating a more comfortable experience for patients.

3M's Aerobic Procedure for Lactic Acid Bacteria was developed as a testing method by 3M Food Safety working with its food-processing customers. The procedure is a simple way to test food and environmental samples for concentrations of lactic acid bacteria, which can affect the shelf life, as well as the flavor and color of products.

3M is fundamentally a science-based company. They produce thousands of imaginative products, and are a leader in scores of markets—from health care and highway safety to office products and abrasives and adhesives. Q Source, Inc. has been a distributor of 3M products since 2003.

Q Source’s 3M Department features an extensive selection of Tapes, Grounding products, Chemicals & Cleaners, Labels, and more. If the quality 3M item you're looking for isn't on our site, please contact us via phone (800-966-6020) or email and our expert associates will be happy to find it for you.