You received the consignment from your printed Circuit Board Manufacturer on time. But there are days left to supply or use the beautifully designed printed circuit boards. Or, your delivery or production is stopped due to some reasons.
So what will you do?
In most cases, the companies place large orders to the printed circuit board manufacturer or demand the earliest delivery so that they do face any difficulty. Just like other business owners, they do not want to create a gap between demand and supply. But sometimes, this tactic backfire them and they are unable to use the entire consignment on time.
In such a situation, you must handle and store the printed circuit boards properly so that they do not get damaged. Also, they do not stop working due to the poor impact of the surrounding areas.
What should be your pre-storage preparations?
You should find a place in your unit that is dry, climate-controlled, and free of contaminants and debris. Before storing the boards, you should wipe the area using a clean cloth and make sure dust isn’t visible. For complete elimination of dust, you should sweep the selected storage space.
Other than climate-control, moisture control is also important in the storage area. A moisture-free environment will prevent defects and damage to the materials.
According to Printed Circuit Manufacturers, if the PCB gets damaged, it can lead to shortages and corrosion.
Where and how to store printed circuit boards?
As discussed above, the storage should be moisture-controlled, climate-controlled, and free from contaminants and debris. If you are unable to find such an area in your unit, you should convert other areas into feasible conditions. You should use dehumidifier to remove excess moisture and other technologies to control contaminants.
When handling printed circuit boards, you should wear clean gloves so that no dirt from your finger gets transferred and no impression is left behind. You should pick the boards by the edges and place them in an air-tight and vacuum-sealed container. You shouldn’t use excessive pressure and overload the container.
After placing the boards in a vacuum-sealed container, you should store the containers in the area selected and cleaned by you. Make sure the area is completely dry at the time of storage. If it’s not, you should bake the unit for complete dryness at the precise temperature.
What should you do if the storage time is long?
The storage container or bag will change a bit for long-term storage. The container will consist of desiccant, which is a hygroscopic substance to induce or sustain a state of dryness in its vicinity. Also, you need to keep a moisture bag, a humidity indicator, and a moisture-sensitive label in the container.
If you are unable to arrange these things, you should purchase pre-assembled dry packages. The air-tight dry cabinets available in the package are specifically designed to store such items. You can even store other electronic items from your unit in these cabinets.
While following these storage tips, you should leave the printed circuit boards in their original packaging. It’s a great preventive step to avoid unnecessary mechanical damage until ready for use.
Lastly, you should follow the storage advice given by your Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer.
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