Potential Issues with Automated Spray Conformal Coating

There are many benefits to using a spray robot for conformal coating application. As always, there are also some potential issues that need to be evaluated prior to selecting this coating application method in an in-house environment.One potential problem with using a selective conformal coating system is the misalignment components on the PCB. This can result in damage to the spray valves, which are moving along a set pattern over the board, and the components themselves. Spray heads are one of the most critical parts on the spray robot. Repairing damage can be costly. Systems that offer fiducial recognition can help mitigate this risk.Applying conformal coating with a robotic conformal coating system does not automatically eliminate the need for masking. There can be several reasons for masking a board during selective spraying, including the requirement to coat extremely close to connectors, which can “wick” conformal coating into the body. It is often time-consuming to program around plated or un-plated mounting holes that must remain uncoated and may be easier to mask these areas.When utilizing an automated conformal coating spray robot, board-specific programs must be created for each unique board. Depending on the complexity of the board’s coating-free area requirements, this can be a time-consuming process. If considering in-house spray equipment, it is important to thoroughly vet and compare coating systems to ensure you have a high-performance system, such as the SCS Precisioncoat.