Coated Frames and Parts of Coating Machines

Precision Decoating for Coating Frames and Machine Parts

Eliminate conformal coating build-up, prevent capillary defects, and extend fixture lifespan with a single-source decoating process engineered entirely in-house by DCT.

In high-reliability SMT production, conformal coating protects assemblies against moisture, chemical exposure, and dielectric failure. However, coating carriers, masking pallets, spray nozzles, and dispensing valves accumulate thick polymer layers during daily operation. Uncleaned fixtures cause poor PCB seating, capillary wicking under masking boots, clogged nozzles, and costly delamination defects.

Manual scraping or aggressive solvent wiping damages expensive composite pallets and distorts delicate metal masking screens. DCT solves this challenge by engineering both the automated cleaning systems and the decoating cleaning agents under one roof. Because our in-house R&D team develops the entire system—combining InJet® 888 CRD-1F or AirJet® 486 CRD machines with Decotron® EFD1 and the Proton® series—we take 100% responsibility for your cleaning process. Furthermore, our global network of trained local distributors ensures rapid technical support and chemical supply right at your facility.

Technical Verification & Standards Compliance: Reviewed by the DCT R&D and Application Engineering Team. Process architectures support compliance with IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-CC-830, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, and REACH directives. Last technical review: November 2026.

Why 100% Single-Source Process Responsibility Matters

When machine hardware and chemical formulations come from separate vendors, troubleshooting decoating failures becomes a costly blame game.

Conformal coatings are engineered to resist harsh environments, making them exceptionally difficult to strip once cross-linked. Removing cured acrylic, polyurethane, silicone, epoxy, or UV-curable coatings requires a precise balance of chemical solvation, thermal energy, and mechanical agitation. If a process fails, equipment makers often blame the chemical supplier, while chemical vendors point to machine parameters.

• 100% Process Ownership: DCT develops and manufactures both the cleaning machines and the specialized Decotron® and Proton® fluids. We assume full accountability for your final cleaning quality, cycle time, and substrate compatibility.
• In-House R&D Innovation: Our chemical and mechanical engineers continuously refine our technologies. We welcome complex custom challenges, including heavily cross-linked dual-cure UV resins and delicate multi-material fixtures.
• Worldwide Local Support: Through our certified global distributor network, you receive on-site installation, preventive maintenance, local fluid stock, and immediate process assistance anywhere in the world.

Core Value Across Engineering, Finance, and Operations

Our integrated decoating systems address the specific technical, financial, and safety requirements of every stakeholder in your manufacturing plant.

For Process Engineers: Masking Precision & IPC Compliance

Maintain tight masking tolerances and repeatable coating thickness across every production shift.

• Zero Capillary Bridging: Thoroughly stripped masking boots and pallet seals sit flush against the PCB. This prevents coating seepage onto keep-out zones, connectors, and test pads.
• Consistent Nozzle Geometry: Automated cleaning in Proton® 69 or Decotron® EFD1 removes partially cured resin from selective coating valves and needles without abrasive tool wear.
• Material Safety: Formulated corrosion inhibitors protect anodized aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, PTFE, and anti-static composite materials (such as Ricocel and Durostone) from delamination or embrittlement.
• Repeatable Validation: Closed-loop process control ensures every frame returns to the line clean, dry, and completely free of cross-contaminating residues.

For CFOs & Procurement: Lower TCO & Single-Vendor Warranty

Reduce total cost of ownership through extended bath longevity, lower fixture replacement rates, and unified supplier accountability.

• Extended Chemical Bath Life: DCT fluids such as Decotron® EFD1, Proton® 275, and Proton® 705 dissolve or delaminate polymers without rapidly saturating the bath. Combined with proper filtration, this reduces annual fluid consumption and disposal costs.
• Fixture Asset Protection: Non-destructive chemical immersion and spray stripping eliminate mechanical damage from manual scraping, multiplying the operational lifespan of costly selective coating pallets.
• Single-Point Warranty: Purchasing machine hardware and chemistry from DCT eliminates multi-vendor friction, simplifies procurement, and guarantees a validated return on investment (ROI).
• Reduced Line Downtime: Fast, automated batch cleaning keeps spare carrier inventories lean and prevents bottlenecks at the conformal coating stage.

For EHS & Plant Managers: Safe Chemistry & Global Support

Replace hazardous manual solvent wiping with enclosed, low-emission automated cleaning systems backed by local service teams.

• Water-Based & pH-Neutral Options: Where polymer chemistry permits, Decotron® EFD1 provides a pH-neutral, water-based alternative to traditional harsh stripping solvents.
• Operator Safety: Automated chamber processes in InJet® 888 CRD-1F and AirJet® 486 CRD eliminate direct worker exposure to stripping fumes and sharp scraping tools.
• Environmental & REACH Compliance: All DCT decoating formulations are developed in our European R&D center in strict compliance with REACH, RoHS, and modern workplace safety regulations.
• Local Distributor Network: Wherever your production plant operates, a certified local DCT partner provides rapid spare parts delivery, fluid logistics, and periodic bath monitoring.

Engineering Selection Guide: Matching Polymer to Process

Selecting the optimal decoating architecture depends on the coating polymer chemistry, degree of cross-linking, and fixture geometry.

Step-by-Step Decoating Process Selection

1. Match the Cleaning Fluid to the Coating Polymer Family:
   • Acrylics & Standard Polyurethanes (Water-Based Process): Use Decotron® EFD1, a pH-neutral, water-based cleaning agent engineered to strip acrylic and polyurethane coatings as well as combined flux residues safely.
   • Acrylic Conformal Coatings (Fast Solvent Process): Use Proton® 69 for rapid solvent-based dissolution of acrylic lacquers on frames, valves, and machine nozzles.
   • Stubborn Polyurethanes, Epoxies & UV Coatings: Use Proton® 275, formulated to penetrate and break down heavily cross-linked two-component urethanes, epoxies, and dual-cure UV resins.
   • Silicone Conformal Coatings: Use Proton® 705 or Proton® 707, specialized solvent formulations designed to cleave chemical bonds in cured silicone elastomers for rapid stripping.
2. Match the Agitation Technology to Part Geometry:
   • Air-Bubbling Immersion (AirJet® 486 CRD): Ideal for heavily coated frames, intricate masking cavities, and dismantled dispensing nozzles. Heated immersion combined with intense air-bubbling agitation allows Proton® or Decotron® EFD1 fluids to penetrate deep crevices and delaminate thick cured layers.
   • Spray-in-Air Technology (InJet® 888 CRD-1F): Optimal for large coating carriers, wave/coating combo pallets, and high-throughput frame maintenance where high-pressure mechanical impingement rapidly strips softened coatings in a fully automated cycle.
3. Verify Substrate Compatibility in DCT R&D: Composite pallets, silicone masking boots, and pneumatic seals react differently to aqueous or solvent-based strippers. Our R&D lab tests your actual production fixtures to dial in exact temperature, concentration, and cycle time parameters.

DCT Decoating Systems & Cleaning Fluids Overview

Explore our integrated hardware and chemical platforms engineered specifically for conformal coating maintenance.

Frequently Asked Technical Questions (FAQ)

How do you remove cured UV and polyurethane coatings?

Removing cured UV and polyurethane coatings requires pairing Proton® 275 or heated Decotron® EFD1 with mechanical agitation in an AirJet® 486 CRD or InJet® 888 CRD-1F system. Rather than relying solely on slow dissolution, our chemistry penetrates the cross-linked polymer matrix to break surface adhesion so air-bubbling or spray impingement can strip the layer cleanly.

Which fluid removes cured silicone conformal coatings?

Cured silicone conformal coatings are most effectively removed using Proton® 705 or Proton® 707 in an immersion cleaning system. These specialized fluids rapidly cleave the chemical bonds of cross-linked silicone elastomers on metal carriers and machine parts without requiring abrasive mechanical scraping.

When should we choose AirJet immersion over InJet spray-in-air?

AirJet® 486 CRD immersion systems are ideal when stripping thick, heavily cross-linked coatings that require extended soaking and air-bubbling agitation, whereas InJet® 888 CRD-1F spray-in-air systems excel at high-throughput automated washing, rinsing, and drying of large frames. During a process trial, our R&D engineers evaluate your coating thickness and throughput targets to recommend the ideal machine architecture.

Will decoating chemistry damage titanium or composite frames?

No, when matched correctly to your fixture materials, DCT fluids such as pH-neutral Decotron® EFD1 and the Proton® series safely clean stainless steel, titanium, anodized aluminum, and composite pallets without surface etching. Our R&D team verifies material compatibility with your specific composite resins and elastomer seals during pre-purchase testing.

What does 100% process responsibility from DCT include?

Our 100% process responsibility means DCT guarantees the entire cleaning outcome—covering cleanliness levels, material compatibility, and cycle times—whenever you use our recommended machine and cleaning fluid together. Because our internal R&D develops both hardware and chemistry, you have a single accountable partner backed by local technical support worldwide.

How can we validate a custom coating in your R&D lab?

You can send your coated frames, nozzles, or carrier pallets directly to the DCT R&D Cleaning Laboratory for a comprehensive process trial. Our engineers test multiple machine and fluid combinations on your exact contaminants and deliver a detailed technical report with verified process parameters before you invest.

Validate Your Decoating Process with DCT R&D

Stop compromising between machine performance and chemical efficiency—partner with the manufacturer that engineers and guarantees both.

Whether you need to strip stubborn dual-cure UV resins with Proton® 275, remove silicone overspray with Proton® 707, or implement a pH-neutral aqueous process using Decotron® EFD1, our R&D team is ready for your challenge. Contact DCT or your local distributor today to schedule a custom laboratory cleaning trial on your production parts.

Technical Process Disclaimer: Exact decoating parameters—including bath concentration, process temperature, agitation method, and cycle duration—depend on specific polymer formulations, curing profiles, film thickness, and fixture substrate materials. All cleaning processes must be validated via a DCT laboratory trial prior to full-scale production deployment.