SMT Fixture and Squeegee Cleaning Machine

Clean Production Tooling Before Residue Builds Up

Manual scraping and wiping may remove loose surface contamination but often leave residue inside pallet openings, clamps, corners and squeegee holders.

As flux repeatedly passes through preheating and soldering, it can become thicker and more difficult to remove. Solder paste left around a squeegee blade can dry during storage and increase the cleaning work required at the next changeover.

The Automatic SMT Fixture Cleaning Machine – DEZ-C756 removes compatible flux, solder paste, adhesive, oil and dust from production tooling.

Fixtures are loaded into a rotating basket and cleaned with heated water-based cleaning liquid. A separate rinse removes the cleaning agent, followed by air cutting and hot-air drying.

The rotating basket has a diameter of 1000 mm, accepts workpieces up to 480 mm high and supports a total balanced load of up to 100 kg. Actual loading depends on the shape, individual weight and ability to secure each workpiece.

Fixture Cleaning Process

The complete automatic process is:

Load and Secure Tooling → Spray Washing → Pure-Water Rinsing → Air Cutting → Hot-Air Drying → Inspection

During washing, the basket rotates the workpieces through multidirectional spray. The cleaning liquid removes compatible residue and passes through the circulation filtration system.

A separate liquid circuit rinses away detergent and released contamination. Air cutting removes water from accessible surfaces, followed by hot-air drying before the tooling returns to production.

Wave Solder Pallet Cleaning

Wave-solder pallets repeatedly contact flux, preheating and the soldering process. Flux can accumulate around solder openings, clamps, support points and protected areas.

Thick deposits may restrict solder access or prevent the PCB from sitting correctly inside the pallet. Loose contamination can also transfer back onto the next assembly.

The DEZ-C756 sprays the pallet from multiple directions while the basket rotates. Loading angle and spacing must allow the spray to enter openings instead of being blocked by an adjacent fixture.

Selective Soldering Fixture Cleaning

Selective-soldering fixtures can collect flux around PCB supports, clamps, protected components and nozzle-access areas.

If the residue is not removed, it may interfere with locating surfaces or restrict areas intended for solder-nozzle access. Cleaning intervals should be based on residue accumulation rather than only a fixed number of production cycles.

Factories using Selective Soldering Machines should include fixture inspection and cleaning in the established maintenance process.

Reflow Tray and PCB Carrier Cleaning

Reflow trays and PCB carriers collect solder paste, flux, oil and dust around locating pins, support surfaces and board-contact areas.

Contaminated locating points can prevent repeatable PCB or component positioning. Residue may also continue through the heating process and become more difficult to remove.

Before cleaning, confirm that the carrier material, surface treatment, bonding points and identification labels tolerate the selected detergent, spray pressure and drying temperature.

SMT Squeegee Cleaning

Solder paste accumulates along squeegee blades, holders, fasteners and recessed areas during stencil printing.

If the remaining paste dries, it becomes more difficult to remove and may contaminate storage areas or later printing processes. Manual cleaning around the holder can also take considerable time during product changeovers.

The DEZ-C756 can clean compatible SMT squeegees when they are secured in a suitable holder. Blade edges must not contact heavy fixtures or move freely during basket rotation.

For stencil surfaces and blocked apertures, use equipment from the Stencil Cleaning Machines category instead.

Match the Cleaning Agent to the Residue

The DEZ-C756 uses a compatible low-foam water-based cleaning agent.

Flux, solder paste and adhesive formulations respond differently to detergent concentration, temperature and washing time. A cleaner that removes fresh solder paste may not remove heavily carbonised flux.

The detergent must also be compatible with aluminium, stainless steel, synthetic stone, plastic, rubber, blade materials, protective coatings and bonded assemblies.

Sample testing should confirm removal performance and check for corrosion, discolouration, swelling, coating changes or adhesive damage.

When Dry Ice Cleaning Is More Suitable

Some large moulds, installed fixtures and machine parts are difficult to move into a water-based cleaning chamber. Other workpieces may not be compatible with water, rinsing or heated drying.

In these cases, compare the water-based fixture cleaner with Dry Ice Cleaning Machines. A portable dry ice system can bring a handheld cleaning gun to compatible installed equipment or oversized parts.

Industries Using Fixture and Squeegee Cleaning

Automotive Electronics Manufacturing

Automotive Electronics Manufacturing uses dedicated pallets and fixtures for controllers, sensors, lighting modules and power assemblies. Flux must be removed from locating points and solder-access openings before buildup affects fixture use.

Aerospace and Defence Electronics

Aerospace and Defence Electronics Manufacturing often uses specialised fixtures for high-mix PCB assemblies. The cleaning chemistry and process settings should be validated for each fixture material and recorded in the maintenance procedure.

LED and Power Electronics

LED and Power Electronics Manufacturing may use larger or heavier carriers for power modules, inverters and LED assemblies. Fixture weight, basket balance and spray access are important selection conditions.

EMS and Contract Electronics Manufacturing

EMS and Contract Electronics Manufacturing uses different pallets, carriers, trays and squeegees across customer orders. Batch cleaning helps prevent old flux or solder paste from being carried into the next production setup.

FAQs for Fixture and Squeegee Cleaning

What contamination can it remove?

The machine can remove compatible flux, solder paste, adhesive, oil and dust. The cleaning agent, temperature and washing time must be matched to the actual residue.

Can it clean SMT printer squeegees?

Yes. The squeegee must fit inside the basket and be secured so the blade cannot move, collide with other parts or contact heavy fixtures.

Can squeegees and soldering pallets share one cycle?

Only when the cleaning chemistry and process are suitable for both. Heavily flux-contaminated pallets should normally be separated from precision squeegees.

Can aluminium fixtures be cleaned?

Yes, when the detergent is compatible with the aluminium alloy and its surface treatment. Sample testing should check for corrosion, discolouration or coating changes.

Can synthetic-stone pallets be cleaned?

Many synthetic-stone pallets can be processed, but their chemical and temperature resistance varies. Confirm compatibility before batch cleaning.

Can the machine remove carbonised flux?

Removal depends on the flux, buildup, detergent concentration, temperature and washing time. Heavily carbonised deposits should be tested before the cleaning process is confirmed.

Why does residue remain inside pallet openings?

The opening may be blocked from the spray by another workpiece, or the detergent may not suit the residue. Adjust the loading angle, increase spacing and verify the cleaning chemistry.

Why are fixtures still wet after drying?

Deep openings, hollow sections or overlapping workpieces may trap water. Change the loading position and check the compressed air, heater and exhaust before extending the cycle.

Can DEZ test our fixtures before machine selection?

Yes. Send representative tooling with its actual contamination. DEZ can evaluate detergent compatibility, loading method, spray cleaning, rinsing and drying.

Request Fixture Sample Cleaning

Send your fixture, pallet or squeegee information. DEZ will confirm cleaning compatibility, basket loading and factory utility requirements.