Workbench

ESD Workbenches

What is an ESD Workbench?

ESD Workbenches are designed to create a connection between the floor or earth, a surface, and the user that has zero electrical potential. They use conductive surfaces that are safe for ESD (electrostatic discharge) to direct, slow down, and protect electrically sensitive devices from defects and failure. In electronics manufacturing, the ideal resistance range for the worksurface is above 1.0 x 106 but below 1.0 x 109. These workbenches can be customized with add-ons and features such as heat-resistant surfaces to best suit hand assembly lines. They typically include a central receptacle for connecting ground points from ESD floor mats, wrist straps, and other ESD accessories.

What situations call for a workstation?

A workstation is necessary for safe operations in the manufacturing of flat-panel displays, medical devices, printed circuit boards, and semiconductors.

A conductive worksurface (1) that evenly disperses electric charges and uniformly neutralizes excess charges. Additionally, a grounding point like a workstation grounding block (2) or a common point grounding cord can be used to connect wrist straps, ESD garments, and anti-static workstation mats.

Is it necessary to have a benchtop mat with an ESD work surface?

While not mandatory, using a benchtop ESD mat on an ESD work surface can offer a cushioned surface for electronic components that may be susceptible to damage from gentle or repeated impact on a work surface. It is important for ESD work surfaces to always be grounded to a common ground point and not interconnected in a daisy chain manner.

The leading cause of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) events is not defective equipment, but rather human error, including placing sensitive devices on non-ESD surfaces or neglecting to follow proper grounding procedures. ESD benches serve as a permanent substitute for ESD mats and minimize the likelihood of user-generated ESD events, such as quickly setting down an ESD device on a non-ESD workspace.

Consider Investing in an ESD Chair？

ESD flooring is a great start to preventing electrostatic discharge, but it's not foolproof. Non-conductive chairs can still cause issues since they allow users to unwittingly disrupt the electrical current. For instance, if someone rests their feet on a footrest or stool rail instead of the floor, it breaks the connection and static can build up. Similarly, if the user doesn't have ESD footwear or a grounding strap, their standard shoes can hinder the effectiveness of an ESD system. Investing in an ESD chair can help mitigate these risks and ensure a more reliable electrostatic discharge protection.

When someone sits down or stands up in an ESD chair, or if their feet temporarily lose contact with the floor, the chair helps to equalize the electrical charge between the person and the chair. This is achieved through the use of dissipative materials and static-free fabrics, which allow the transfer of electricity through ESD casters or drag chains. This helps to prevent the buildup of static electricity and ensures that both the operator and the chair have the same electrical charge.

If you have a drag chain, is it still necessary to use ESD casters on a chair?

The answer is yes, because while a drag chain can provide some level of grounding, it's not always effective. In fact, studies have shown that a static control drag chain can be only 20-50% effective in preventing charge buildup. Additionally, drag chains can be difficult to clean and maintain in controlled environments, which can further reduce their effectiveness. On the other hand, ESD chains are specifically designed to address these issues and provide better grounding, even in the presence of dirt and debris. However, it's important to note that even with ESD chains, there's still a risk of snags and lost conduction if the chain is not heavy enough.

ESD casters offer the benefit of a more secure and dependable grounding connection. Chairs equipped with conductive ESD casters maintain an almost flawless connection with the floor, ensuring continuous and stable grounding at four different points. Additionally, casters prove to be an excellent choice for environments that prioritize cleanliness.

Chair mats with conductivity create an unbroken connection to the ground, protecting ESD flooring from damage caused by chair wheels. This conductive pathway remains uninterrupted and also serves to prevent any marks or scratches.

ESD Floor Mats & Runners

Floor mats and runners with ESD capabilities are designed to safeguard delicate equipment and components from potential harm caused by electrostatic discharge. Ergonomic mats provide enhanced comfort to operators who spend long periods standing at processing or assembly stations. ESD floor runners enable secure and comfortable movement of sensitive items within a facility or EPA areas. With their sleek design, these mats and runners allow easy navigation through hallways for both foot traffic and carts, as well as creating designated pathways along equipment or assembly lines.

In what situations is ESD flooring necessary?

 ESD flooring is typically installed when ESD wrist straps hinder productivity. There's a risk of static electricity discharge when an operator lifts their feet off the ground or places them on a footrest, which can be problematic. By combining ESD chairs and static control flooring, workers have more freedom of movement and are more likely to follow proper procedures.

Conductive flooring systems offer the most effective way to reduce charge generation and facilitate rapid charge dissipation in an ESD production setting. The flooring is connected to a grounded outlet through a copper strip, ensuring efficient grounding.

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