Fran�ois Monette, Co-founder, VP Sales & Marketing, Cogiscan

2014 was the "cleanest" year yet for SMT stencil cleaning and 2015 is shaping-up to be even better. That is, the environmental impact associated with the Stencil Cleaning Process. In 2012, Smart Sonic introduced EnviroGuard, the industry's first and only 100% closed-loop aqueous-based stencil cleaner and in 2014 over 90% of the stencil cleaners sold by Smart Sonic included the EnviroGuard technology. 2015 will be our 25th anniversary and our goal is to equip all stencil cleaners with the optional EnviroGuard technology.

Stencil cleaning was once considered the most hazardous process associated with SMT assembly. Hazardous and/or flammable solvents, hot, caustic cleaning solutions, VOCs, heavy metals in the solder paste, vapors and foul odors all contributed to a less than desirable cleaning experience. Smart Sonic has converted what was considered a hazardous process with significant environmental impact into a non hazardous and completely environmentally safe process that is guaranteed to clean any type of solder paste from any fine-pitch stencil and is verified environmentally safe and user safe by the U.S. EPA's Environmental Technology Verification Program.

Another goal for Smart Sonic in 2015 is to help eliminate VOC's completely from other stencil-cleaning processes. Smart Sonic's 440-R SMT Detergent is the only VOC-free stencil cleaning chemistry. All other stencil cleaning chemistries contain VOCs that are highly regulated and contribute to air pollution. www.SmartSonic.com