Coherent Jets Are Better Than Fan Jets For PCB Cleaning

Todd Rountree, D.B.A.
Austin American Technology, Austin, TX

Mike Schwager
Aqua Klean Systems, Anaheim, CA

Steve Stach
Austin American Technology, Burnet, TX

We have spent countless hours researching and testing various cleaning techniques and equipment. One topic that often comes up in the industry is the debate between coherent jets and fan jets for PCB cleaning. In my opinion, coherent jets are superior to fan jets for PCB cleaning. In this blog, I will explain why.

First, let’s define what we mean by coherent jets and fan jets. Coherent jets are a type of spray nozzle that produces a tight, focused stream of cleaning solution. This stream is coherent, meaning that the individual droplets are all traveling in the same direction and at the same velocity. Fan jets, on the other hand, produce a wider, less focused spray pattern. The droplets in a fan jet are not all traveling in the same direction or at the same velocity.

Now, let’s talk about why coherent jets are better for PCB cleaning. One of the main advantages of coherent jets is their ability to focus the cleaning solution precisely where it is needed. This is especially important when cleaning delicate electronic components on a PCB. Coherent jets can target these areas with a high degree of accuracy, while minimizing the risk of damage to the surrounding components.

Another advantage of coherent jets is their ability to penetrate small spaces and tight corners. The focused stream of cleaning solution can reach areas that might be missed by a wider, less focused spray pattern. This is particularly important for PCB cleaning, where there are often small gaps and crevices that can be difficult to reach with other cleaning methods.

Coherent jets also provide better control over the amount of cleaning solution used. With a fan jet, there is often a significant amount of overspray that can waste cleaning solution and potentially damage other components. Coherent jets, on the other hand, use less solution and are more targeted in their application. This not only saves money on cleaning solution, but it also reduces the risk of damage to other components on the PCB.

Finally, coherent jets are more energy efficient than fan jets. This is because they use less solution and require less energy to produce the same amount of cleaning power. This means that they are more environmentally friendly and can save companies money on energy costs over time.

In conclusion, coherent jets are superior to fan jets for PCB cleaning because of their ability to focus the cleaning solution precisely where it is needed, their ability to penetrate small spaces and tight corners, their better control over the amount of cleaning solution used, and their energy efficiency. At Austin American Technology, we are committed to using the latest technology and equipment to provide the best PCB cleaning solutions for our customers. That is why we use coherent jets in our cleaning equipment, to ensure that our customers get the best possible results.