How Specialized Manufacturing Equipment Provides Safety for Using Solvents

Specialized wet bench equipment is used to reduce the risk of fire and explosion from the use of volatile solvents in manufacturing operations. Semiconductor manufacturing facilities use solvents (such as acetone) for various applications such as stripping, cleaning and pattern transfers. Such solvents are inflammable which is why the equipment has to meet stringent safety regulations. Safety measures focus on ensuring electrical components don't cause ignition of solvents or their vapors and operator safety through training.

When inflammable solvents are used safety regulations require specific features and along with operating measures to keep workers safe. Some of the features include the following:

•  Design to hazardous location Class 1 Division 1 or Division 2 certification.

•  Design electrical equipment to use low-power signals too weak to generate sparks that could set off an explosion.

•  Wiring per NFPA 70 and 79.

•  Use of carboys to collect solvent waste.

•  Detection of liquid spills.

•  Process monitoring with safety alarms for dangerous conditions.

•  Emergency power off mushroom button. 

•  Gaseous automatic fire suppression systems such as those using carbon dioxide.

An experienced wet bench equipment manufacturer incorporates these features in all their solvent station designs to ensure an integrated safety concept provides safe operation.

Modutek's stainless steel solvent stations meet all safety requirements. They manufacture the SFa and Sa series of stainless-steel solvent baths for solvent applications including IPA, acetone and resist strippers. The baths meet NEC Class 1 Division 1 Group D requirements for hazardous locations and are specially designed for safe operation. The baths are made of 304 stainless steel and are inert for any kind of solvents used. The SFa bath is a temperature-controlled recirculating bath while the Sa bath is constant temperature.



The SFa and Sa baths have all the required safety features including:

• NFPA 70 and 79 fire warning
• Fire suppression
• N2 head case purge
• 1-inch lip exhaust
• PVC safety shields
• Safety interlocks
• Emergency off mushroom button
• Teflon N2 gun
• De-ionized water hand spray
• Continuous flow de-ionized water manifold

Solvent stations are able to deliver improved yields while maintaining a high level of safety with fast heating and accurate temperature control. Modutek's stations are available in manual, semi-automated and fully automated systems. As a wet bench manufacturer, Modutek is able to both design and build a customized or standard equipment to meet your requirements.



For more details read the complete article, “How Specialized Manufacturing Equipment Provides Safety for Using Solvents”. If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation, contact Modutek at 866-803-1533 or email Modutek@modutek.com.