Hot Air Rework vs. Desoldering Stations: Which One Should You Choose?

There are a few key differences between hot air rework stations and desoldering stations. First, and most notable, is the size of the two different stations. The hot air stations tend to be much larger than the desoldering stations. Thus, to work with hot air, you will need to bring the defective parts to the station. In comparison, the desoldering station can be brought to the parts, which offers much more flexibility. Another noticeable difference between the two stations is their price tag. A hot air station will often carry a heftier price tag because it includes more features and extras than desoldering stations. The key is to find the specific tool that is best for your application needs. Choosing the right tool for the job will save you countless time and money in the long run.

A hot air rework station has many benefits. Because it uses hot air, the station is great for very quick and easy jobs where, perhaps, just one component needs to be removed from a printed circuit board (PCB). The opposite is also true, adding a single part to a PCB is also extremely simple by utilizing hot air to quickly and efficiently return the board to working order. This tool can also be used to fit heat shrink onto wires making it an extremely versatile device.

A desoldering station also offers many benefits for specific applications. These stations provide a great deal of precision with their many features. Their compact size allows these stations to be much more mobile and makes for easier clean up at the end of a job. The simplicity of a desoldering station also makes it an asset to some. Why pay for all the bells and whistles when you only need the device for its basic uses? Desoldering Stations help make reworking PCBs an easier task.

Both types of rework stations offer a variety of benefits and shortfalls. By doing your research you can discover which device fits best in your specific day-to-day needs.

QSource.com offers a wide selection from JBC Tools and Weller®.

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Yes, You Do Need an ESD Wastebasket

Originally posted as The Cause for ESD Wastebaskets by Transforming Technologies - Re-posted here, including slight edits, with permission

It is fair to wonder why there is a need for ESD wastebaskets. If the basket resides underneath a workstation, and stays there permanently, the need may not exist.

 However, there are a number of circumstances when the wastebasket could present a significant hazard to electronic products. The following are just a few examples of potentially risky scenarios:

Worksurface Cleaning: An operator lifts the wastebasket to the edge of the workstation to collect the debris being removed. Should a static-sensitive product be present on the worksurface and not contained in a shielding container, there is a good opportunity for exposure to electrostatic fields that exceed safe limits.

Lead Trimming/Board Cleaning Operations: When trimming component leads or using aerosol cleaners on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), some operators will hold the PCB over a wastebasket to catch the clippings or solvent run-off. Many times, the PCB will be placed well into the waste container to assure catching the unwanted materials. This operation puts PCBs and ESD-sensitive devices very close to potentially significant electrostatic fields.

Aisle Proximity: Some wastebaskets have been observed in close proximity to production floor aisles, where product transfer carts pass or may be parked. ANSI/ESD S2020 requires items that generate 2,000 volts or more (measured at 1” from the item) be kept at least 12” from ESD-sensitive devices. Using ESD wastebaskets eliminates the risk of carts being parked next to static-generating baskets.

While company ESD policies may prohibit some of the actions mentioned above, it does not mean that they will not occur from time to time. ESD wastebaskets provide assurance that the wastebasket will never be an ESD threat to your product.

Transforming Technologies offers ESD wastebaskets in static-dissipative polypropylene and in stainless steel for cleanroom operations. If a liner is to be used for easier maintenance, Transforming Technologies offers them in both conductive and static dissipative.

Please visit QSource.com for further information about these Transforming Technologies products:

28-Quart, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS 28)

• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive Polypropylene
• Point-to-Point Resistance RP: 10⁴- 10⁵ W
• Height: 15"
• Opening: 13.5" x 9.5"

22-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS90)

• Weight: 7.5 lb.
• Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 11"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

44-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS180)

• Weight: 13 lb.
• Dimensions: 31" x 24" x 24"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

2-Mil, 7-10 Gallon Pink Dissipative Anti-Static Trash Liners (WBASLP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: 2,000 to 3,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: 65- to 450-lb. per square inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ or equal to 10¹¹ ohms/sq.
• Static Decay Rate: 5 kV - 0 volts ‹ 2 seconds per
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

3 Mil, 7-10 Gallon Black Conductive Trash Liners (WBASLB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: > 2,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liners (WBAS22LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS22LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

Dura 7000 Series Chairs Now Offer a Larger Weight Capacity

If you’re shopping for ergonomic chairs and need to consider weight capacity, please head over to QSource.com’s Bevco Dura 7000 Series Chairs Department. We think Bevco’s upgraded 7000 Series lineup may be just what you need.

These popular, durable chairs are more rugged and robust with improvements that include:

• Higher 350-lb. Weight Capacity
• Stronger Bushings
• Available 20” Adjustable Chrome Flat Footrings

In addition to these upgrades, Bevco’s Dura Chairs feature a polyurethane that is impervious to water, oil, and most chemicals; are made to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards, and are GREENGUARD GOLD certified. Plus, they come standard with Bevco’s 12-year warranty.

Available in standard and cleanroom versions, these chairs offer a variety of options for use in schools, labs, and other industrial environments. And, as with all of Bevco’s chair lines, the Dura 7000 Series allows you to create the exact chair to meet your needs.

Please visit our Bevco Dura 7000 Series page to purchase your chairs. You may also contact us by phone (800-966-6020), email, or via our Web site.

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How Well Is Your ESD Flooring and Footwear System Working? – Guest Blog

Figure 1: System Resistance Test

by Craig Zander, Transforming Technologies

Craig’s latest Q Source Resource Guest Blog looks at how a Walking Voltage Test reveals how well your ESD flooring & footwear system is working.

The ESD flooring and footwear system is an effective way to ground people that need to be on the move in a factory. ESD footwear, when worn properly, is designed to drain the voltage from a person to the floor and then to ground. Periodic testing of both the floor and the footwear is required to verify proper functioning.

Until recently, a System Resistance Test (ANSI/ESD STM97.1) was all that was needed to qualify an ESD control flooring and footwear system. If the resistance was less than 35 megohms, it was assumed that the person’s voltage would not exceed 100 volts (the upper limit for ANSI/ESD S20.20). However, this testing is done with the person stationary and having both feet flat on the ground. What happens when the person starts moving and the entire foot is not making contact with the floor?

Figure 2: The Walking Test Pattern

The most recent version of ANSI/ESD S20.20 now requires a Walking Voltage Test (ANSI/ESD STM97.2) be performed when qualifying flooring and footwear systems. The test consists of measuring body voltage generated during a six-step pattern used to simulate moving throughout a facility. This test will determine the actual voltage on the person while moving. Research has shown that when tested separately, ESD floors and footwear systems may pass the resistance test, but when used together, can greatly exceed the 100-volt threshold.


Determining the maximum voltage generated by people moving on the factory floor is very valuable information. By knowing the maximum voltage generated you will know that your flooring and footwear investment is performing as designed. You may also be pleasantly surprised to find out that the system is working quite well and you are able to handle devices with much lower Human-Body Model (HBM) damage thresholds.

WT5000

Equipment is available to accurately measure and record the walking voltage. One such instrument is the WT5000. The WT5000 Walking Test Kit (Warmbier WT5000 Electrometer Walking Test Kit) measures and records the walking voltage while providing a graphical readout. The instrument connects to a PC using any Windows version for easy data collection. The WT5000 identifies the peak voltages per the requirements in the standards.

The two-in-one EFM51WT (Transforming Technologies 7100.EFM51.WT Warmbier EFM51WT Field Meter Walking Test Kit) meter holds the PEAK value of the measured body voltage, as well as the LIVE static voltage measured on the operator’s body. The kit includes the EFM51 static field meter, walking test adapter plate, hand probe and conductive carrying case. The EFM51 is a fully functional field meter that, in addition to the Walking Test, measures and detects electrostatic fields, surface potentials, and discharge times (with optional charge plate accessory (part number 7100.EFM51.CPS.SET).

EFM51

You have made the investment in an ESD flooring and footwear system so that people can be mobile while still protecting your products from ESD events. Determining your actual walking voltage generated is critical to knowing that your products are being protected.

CLOSING: Thanks, Craig! We appreciate you filling us in about the necessity of Walking Voltage Tests to ensure proper ESD protection for flooring and footwear systems. Your expertise is invaluable to our Q Source community.

For information about Transforming Technologies and their ESD control/monitoring products (including walking test kits), please visit QSource.com. you.

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Q Source VP Interviewed at the 2016 Costa Rica Life Sciences Forum

The Costa Rica Life Sciences Forum 2016 is being held this week in San Jose, Costa Rica. Q Source’s Vice President, Gus Lugten, was part of an interview filmed at the forum and posted on the CINDE (Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency) YouTube Channel.

Lugten commented on the high level of education in Costa Rica, the impressive lineup of companies present in the country, and Q Source’s role in providing solutions to the challenges those companies face:

CINDE is a private, non profit investment services organization that has attracted more than 250 high-tech companies to Costa Rica over the past 32 years. Costa Rica is the second largest medical device exporter in Latin America and the Life Sciences Forum is their dedicated MedTech event for the Life Sciences sector in the region. The 2016 Life Sciences Forum event is the third edition of this gathering of reps from leading manufacturers, researchers, consultants, and government officials focused on the latest advances and achievements in this sector.

Q Source, Inc., formed in 1984, is a distributor supplier of products addressing the commercial industrial assembly and production environments. Most notably working with the Electronic and Pharmaceutical Industrial sectors, our product supply offering is now utilized in almost all industrial type manufacturing.

For more information about Q Source please contact us via our Web site, phone (800-966-6020), or by email.

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