RENNER pumps and filters for the electronics industry

The manufacture of electronic components requires a variety of complex chemical wet processes in which the use of specialist pumps and filters is essential.

The liquids used are mainly aggressive or toxic and have stringent requirements in terms of the materials from which our pumps and filters are produced. All the components of a RENNER pump have to be one hundred percent reliable in terms of load bearing capacity and durability to guarantee maximum process reliability and consistently perfect end results.

“Erosive processes” play a major role in the manufacture of PCBs and in photovoltaics. In addition to the use of different materials, for example multi-layer and ceramic substrates, PCB production involves a large number of process steps. As well as developing, acidifying, alkali etching and stripping, they include plating and the surface finish, which take place in a horizontal tunnel machine. Various purging modules are integrated between these individual process steps, ensuring the lowest possible carryover of the different chemicals used in the individual processes.

All of these steps require special pumps, normally centrifugal immersion pumps. However, magnetic centrifugal pumps can also be used. In special cases, for example if preventing excessive air entry into the process medium is absolutely essential, what are known as magnetic immersion pumps can also be used. These are a combination of magnetically coupled centrifugal pumps and immersion pumps.

Different RENNER products are also used in the production of PCBs and solar cells: They are primarily RT centrifugal immersion pumps with their special seal, RM magnetic centrifugal pumps, and RTM magnetic immersion pumps. The entire RENNER filter range is used in the individual filtration processes – above all our SF quick change filters.

This applies equally to “erosive processes” – for example electroplating of partial surfaces or entire copper surfaces with metallic protective and contact layers made of tin, nickel, or gold. RENNER pumps and filters are also ideal for complex tasks like these.

The field of electrical engineering covers numerous applications and products, which is why very different manufacturing processes and methods are necessary.
Our partners in industry come from many fields, e.g. automotive engineering, computer technology, electrical engineering, and renewable energies (solar cell production).
RENNER pumps are used as standard in the following methods:

• Strip electroplating, e.g. of electronic plug contacts
• All process steps in the manufacture of PCBs, such as developing, stripping, etching, purging
• Manual electroplating
• Electroplating of plastics
• Wet chemical etching of glass and silicon substrates
• Precious metal recovery
• Bacteria inhibition in electroplating baths
• Exhaust air scrubbers
• Waste water treatment

Various RENNER pump types are used according to the specific method or application. The most widespread are centrifugal immersion pumps, followed by magnetic centrifugal pumps. The choice of pump system is based on customer-specific requirements and the different applications.
RENNER pumps are hugely effective not just in stationary use but also in mobile applications. These include:

• Mobile filter stations (e.g. REN-ADSORB)

• Mini pumps and filters
• Moving machines for continuous forward and backward movement of goods carriers

The layers created or eroded by a wet chemical process are extremely thin, which is why any impurity in the process baths due to dirt particles must be prevented. RENNER filters offer outstanding long-term performance for all methods and process steps, from developing to stripping, etching, and purging, through to subsequent treatment. The same applies for necessary secondary processes, for example waste water and exhaust air treatment.

In addition to the pump, RPR Control, the electronic process monitoring system from RENNER, protects the chemical wet process itself. RPR Control reliably issues warnings relating to clogged filters, a risk of dry and hot running, overloads and in critical situations, and shuts down the pump before any damage can occur. At the same time, the control module checks the set flow rate. This prevents time-consuming and costly failures.

RENNER supplies an extensive range of filters for industrial solid-liquid separation. The main products available are filter cartridges, bags and paper, as well as adsorption media, such as “spaghetti” filters, “angel’s hair”, or active carbon.
RENNER supplies the required consumables for all standard filter housings.