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What are the main cleaning processes of SMT solder paste Stencil?

The main function of SMT solder paste steel mesh is to help solder paste to be printed on PCB pads accurately. In this process, it is inevitable that some solder paste will remain. Generally, the SMT steel mesh needs to be cleaned after use, so as to prevent the solder paste remaining on the steel mesh from affecting the secondary use. In order to achieve a good cleaning effect and control the cost, it is necessary to choose a suitable cleaning process and cleaning agent.
Mar 13th,2026 26 Views
The main function of SMT solder paste steel mesh is to help solder paste to be printed on PCB pads accurately. In this process, it is inevitable that some solder paste will remain. Generally, the SMT steel mesh needs to be cleaned after use, so as to prevent the solder paste remaining on the steel mesh from affecting the secondary use. In order to achieve a good cleaning effect and control the cost, it is necessary to choose a suitable cleaning process and cleaning agent.

Let's discuss the main cleaning processes of SMT solder paste steel mesh.


1. Manual soaking and scrubbing method: Manual soaking and scrubbing means soaking the SMT steel mesh in the cleaning agent and cleaning it by manual scrubbing. This cleaning method requires less investment at one time and does not need to buy equipment, but it is time-consuming and labor-consuming, and the cleaning is not clean, which damages the steel mesh and the production cost is relatively high.


2. Ultrasonic cleaning mode: Ultrasonic cleaning is the direct and indirect effect of cavitation, acceleration and direct inflow of ultrasonic waves in liquid on liquid and pollution, so that the contaminated layer is dispersed, emulsified and peeled off to achieve the purpose of cleaning.

However, this kind of machine also has some disadvantages, such as it is difficult to clean the mesh by ultrasonic cleaning, especially the thick mesh, such as the mesh with a thickness of more than 2.5mm, and the ultrasonic cleaning machine will cause the degumming of the stretched mesh glue in the long run, which will easily cause the glue to collapse and affect the tension of the steel mesh, and also make the mesh surface fall off easily, which is not comparable to some steel mesh cleaning machine products under local ultrasonic technology.

3. Pneumatic spray cleaning mode: spray cleaning is a kind of chemical cycle cleaning. Its principle is to spray the cleaning agent evenly on the surface of the steel mesh, so that the cleaning agent can fully contact with the solder paste on the surface of the steel mesh, and chemical reaction or dissolution will occur, so that the surface solder paste and other contaminants can be removed. The advantages of spray cleaning are: the surface is easy to clean, there is no dead angle, the operation is simple, and pneumatic mode can be used.

As for pneumatic spraying technology, the main way is to supply air at the air pump, so when the steel mesh cleaning machine works, the air pump and other equipment must also run, and if there is insufficient air supply during operation, uneven surface will also appear.

4. Ultrasonic spray mode: The ultrasonic plus jet cleaning process is that the ultrasonic source is very close to the screen plate, and the environmentally friendly water-based cleaning solution is sprayed in the middle. The cleaning solution will be shocked into the screen hole by ultrasonic force to clean the residue in the hole. The cleaning effect of this cleaning process is good, especially for cleaning red glue and thick screen, but the cost of one-time investment is higher.

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