ESD Design Concerns in Automated Assembly Equipment

Category: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Post Date: July 20, 2004
Author(s): Donn G. Bellmore, Universal Instruments Corporation

Description
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) has been a concern in the assembly of printed circuit boards for many years; however, not to the degree that is needed now with the advancements in solid state devices and automated assembly equipment. Conventional ESD controls are not enough. Much of the assembly equipment today processes 4,000 to 20,000 components per hour. Without proper design considerations, the automated equipment can generate large amounts of static charges and damage devices in large quantities in a short time. This paper will discuss how ESD is generated, the dangers it presents, and methods to minimize the hazards of ESD in the assembly process.