Testimonials from SMTEC AG

More safety from electrostatic discharge

Automated access monitoring for ESD protection zones

When entering an ESD protection zone in particular, it must be ensured that only people with suitable ESD training and work clothing are allowed to enter. A newly developed airlock system now makes access safer.

ESD access controls are required in production areas to restrict access to sensitive areas and ensure that only authorized persons have access. By installing ESD access controls, the risks of electrostatic discharges can be minimized and a controlled environment ensured. The Swiss manufacturing service provider SMTEC is now protecting its sensitive products from ESD damage with a Swabian development: the airlock system with swivel bracket and the Sparktrap EPA Gatekeeper from Keinath Electronic makes daily testing faster and safer.

The LED light around the display shimmers green: access to the production level on this floor, where the colleagues of Remo Holenstein, Head of Department at SMTEC, operate the pick-and-place machines, has been approved. The stylish halo effect shows unmistakably and without complicated explanations whether the special ESD shoes or the earthing wristband are working as required. Or not. "If the measured values exceed the specified limits, it lights up red", explains Remo Holenstein, who is responsible for the system as ESD officer. SMTEC AG is a system partner in electronics production and supplies customers from a wide range of sectors. Whether industrial and mechanical engineering, lighting or medical technology, sensor technology or data transmission: No one wants or can afford failures caused by electrostatic discharge. Quality requirements are particularly high in sensitive, safety-relevant areas and precise documentation of daily ESD testing is important.

Who checks the ESD test?

"ESD testing of employees is mandatory - but the way in which this takes place and is documented is not regulated." explains Philipp Keinath from Keinath Electronic. The company not only offers technical ESD solutions, but also training and certification in this area. In many companies, employees only confirm the ESD test with their signature on a list, according to his experience. "But we all know that Paper is patient", says Keinath. "This type of documentation relies on employees always doing everything correctly, not forgetting any test steps and not inadvertently entering a safety zone that may only have been provisionally partitioned off." The reality in hectic everyday working life is probably different. The damage that inadequate ESD protection can cause to sensitive electronic components is immense, but usually not immediately measurable. "The failures usually only become noticeable later during use," explains Philipp Keinath. The exact cause of the damage is then usually difficult to grasp and analyze, so care should be taken to ensure adequate ESD protection throughout the supply chain. SMTEC has decided to proactively invest in ESD protection concepts that go beyond what is required by law. An important component in the comprehensive catalog of measures: An airlock solution that safely protects the EPA. "We compared several providers," says Holenstein, "but ultimately opted for Keinath because the overall package was right: detailed advice, a good offer, efficient installation of the technology and very professional training."

How the ESD test works

Keinath launched its own development on the market in 2019 under the name Sparktrap EPA Gatekeeper. The testing device with a 7-inch touchscreen is not only characterized by the halo effect on the result display, but a proximity sensor also ensures that the device only boots up from standby mode for the actual measurement, thus saving energy. Depending on the version, employees are identified via a list on the display or via an integrated card reader that recognizes standard ID batches and chips. The system has been in use at SMTEC since 2020, with a gate on each production floor controlling access to production. "Depending on the task and activity of the employee, we can clearly regulate whether only the shoes or also a grounding wristband is to be checked," says Holenstein, describing the process.

The measurement data is stored digitally and, depending on the model variant, can be downloaded via stick or collected centrally via a LAN connection. In order to plan the installation of one or even several access points for his customers, Philipp Keinath always starts with an on-site visit: What are the access points like, where do people change, how is production structured? Do only people have to pass through the airlock or are parcels and pallets also delivered here? Is it an escape route? Keinath explains that all of these questions must be taken into account when designing such access systems. "We then create various layouts and drafts, and the customer receives CAD drawings from us, which are used for the final planning." Guiding elements made of stainless steel and other structural devices ensure that there are no loopholes. The system is installed by service partners from Wanzl - the company based in Leipheim, Bavaria, is known worldwide for its retail and access solutions in supermarkets and at airports, among other things, and is also represented in Switzerland. Ten to twelve weeks between commissioning and installation - this is how Philipp Keinath calculates the schedule for an access solution including his EPA gatekeeper. "Subsequent maintenance and the occasional firmware and software updates don't take much time either," he adds. Remo Holenstein confirms that the gatekeeper is calibrated once a year, for which there is a separate device. "It's a simple process that takes just a few minutes. The bottom line is that the new system saves us time, and for our customers it means a significant increase in security."