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Who is CTS?
Coastal Technical Services was founded in 1994, and provides damage assessment and recovery solutions concerning technical assets. Our companies' services are typically required after the occurrence of either a disaster or environmental event. We are called upon by many different types of clients including, but not limited to, insurance companies, original equipment manufacturers, construction companies and end user markets who utilize various types of electronic and electromechanical equipment
What is an OEM?
An Original Equipment Manufacturer, which by definition is a company that manufactures products to be sold under a brand name. Companies such as Apple, HP, Dell, and Cisco are examples of OEMs.
What is the IPC?
The IPC is an international organization made up of 3300 member companies worldwide, representing all facets of the electronics industry, including printed circuit board manufacturing, and electronics assembly.
Why do you adopt the IPC?
IPC is one of the largest and most commonly recognized organizations that has standards dealing directly with contamination on circuit boards. CTS has been an active member of the IPC since 2005 and believes it is the organization that will best serve the restoration industry.
Who recognizes the IPC?
All significant members of the electronics industry including: aerospace, defense, medical, consumer electronics, and information technology.
Why not ASHRE or IS or any other association?
CTS does not exclude ASHRE or other recognized standards bodies. In our judgment, the most directly applicable sets of standards relating to circuit assemblies contamination currently resides with the IPC.
Why ion chromatography as test methodology?
CTS uses Ion Chromatography to forensically evaluate contaminants on circuit assemblies. A formalized test method has been documented by the IPC based upon this method. The laboratory method is effective in quantifying key components that can lead to premature failure of electronic assemblies.
Using ion chromatography, one can often distinguish between items that were affected and items that were unaffected by a contamination event. In addition, the risk of future electronic assembly failure can be assessed based upon the measured levels of contamination.
What other testing do you deploy and why?
Yes, any qualified laboratory following the same IPC test method(s) should obtain equivalent results.
How is the sampling size determined?
CTS develops an appropriate sampling plan based upon the facts relating to the case. This may include requirements from the OEM(s). An appropriate number and distribution of samples is chosen to provide useful and meaningful data that measures the intended parameter(s). A sufficient number of samples is required to identify and recognize patterns or trends.
How long does it take to run the test?
It often takes 3-5 days to obtain results. More time is required for a larger numbers of samples.
Why does it take so long for me to get the results?
In specific instances, laboratory work can be expedited, however, each set of samples arriving at Coastal’s laboratory is normally processed in queue. Although processing is remarkably efficient, many steps are involved, including sample preparation, machine processing, analyses, report writing, photography, etc.
How can I be sure the test is unbiased?
All of Coastal’s Ion Chromatography testing follows the IPC test method(s) and the results are repeatable by any laboratory following the same procedures. Furthermore, each batch of samples is calibrated using Dionex calibration standards. A four point calibration is performed to ensure that measured quantities are accurate. CTS prefers that all interested parties have access to the data for interpretation and discussion regarding disposition.
What is an IPC inspection?
An IPC inspection is a detailed visual inspection of equipment that follows the IPC-A-610E standard.
What can I expect from an inspection?
An IPC inspection is a visual examination that looks for any potential problems with a circuit assembly. The criteria are detailed in IPC-A-610E, and cover a wide range of topics and architectures. Included among these are cleanliness criteria. The inspection does not include performance or operational testing.
If the analysis is within guideline why would you recommend remediation?
Electronic assemblies can be “within IPC ionic contamination guidelines” and still outside of “IPC guidelines.” IPC-A-610E is concerned with more than just ionic contaminants. Nonionic contaminants can affect circuit operation by causing thermal problems, altering dielectrics, causing abrasion, etc. This is why CTS may recommend remediation even though ionic levels are at acceptable limits.
What is the difference between wet, dry, modified dry, modified wet etc?
"Wet cleaning generally requires automated aqueous cleaning equipment that is brought to the customer’s location. The cleaning operations are usually performed inside a mobile laboratory at the customer’s site.
Dry cleaning can be performed inside a mobile laboratory at the customer’s site, or may be performed inside the customer’s facility. All operations are done to minimize the impact to the customer.
What is the process of each type of remediation?
Wet cleaning generally requires complete disassembly of the equipment to access the printed circuit boards. The boards are then processed in an automated aqueous cleaning system and the remaining chassis and other parts are manually cleaned. Following a complete drying cycle, the equipment is reassembled, reinstalled, and tested as necessary. Post restoration ion chromatographic samples are harvested to ensure restoration success.
Dry cleaning is generally similar in process to wet cleaning. However, the disassembly required is not as intrusive and the boards are cleaned using protocols that exclude aqueous solutions.
Whether wet or dry, the proposed cleaning protocol is chosen based upon the most effective and economical method to restore the affected equipment.
What is the success rate?
The success rate is near 100%.
What guarantee do I get?
Coastal guarantees that after a restoration, cleaned electronic assemblies will meet or exceed IPC’s cleanliness guidelines, which is an indicator of full-life expectancy.
Why do OEM's participate?
Often, OEM’s recognize that with a restoration option, they are able to provide customers a valuable service that minimizes business interruption, reduces or eliminates reconfiguration and incompatibilities, keeps existing data, limits retraining of personnel, is not plagued by long lead times, and is very cost effective. This kind of program also protects the OEM’s service and warranty position, ensuring that the final product meets OEM specifications.
What happens if appliances fail during remediation?
Coastal adheres to strict protocols intended prevent the failure of equipment during the restoration process. However, equipment can fail during remediation. This consideration must be discussed with all parties prior to remediation. Such failures are often a part of the complete loss, since the remediation process would not have been required unless the loss had occurred. Contaminants can move and continue to damage equipment after an event. Occasionally, systems that have not been power cycled for an extended period, fail to restart. If required, replacement systems or parts may be retained for rapid deployment to ensure that any outage is quickly resolved.
What is a support statement?
In terms of restoration, this is a statement from the OEM or service and maintenance provider indicating continued support of the equipment post restoration.
How do you use the OEM's in the process?
It depends upon the OEM. Coastal prefers to work directly with the OEM technicians. However, some OEMs do not have the resources to participate and have sometimes allowed Coastal to retain a certified 3rd party to perform the work required. The OEM technicians and/or 3rd party providers will be certified, have expertise with the equipment, and the necessary diagnostic tools. The technicians assist Coastal in the restoration by disassembling and re-assembling equipment, and performing any testing or diagnostics that may be required. After all the test data has been analyzed and provided to the OEM, a final disposition letter is provided by the OEM to the client documenting the warranty and/or support status of the equipment.
When is remediation recommended?
Equipment remediation is recommended if the inspection and data reveal that it is necessary, and if the equipment is able to be cost effectively restored.
What is your experience in remediation?
CTS’s success over the last 20 years has been outstanding. We attribute this to our qualified technical resources, scientific approach, contributions to standards organizations, and partnerships with experts and OEMs that leverage our strengths.
How long is any appliance "down" during a remediation?
It depends upon the item. Taking into consideration the critical nature of the equipment and Coastal’s experience and extensive database of known equipment process times, Coastal coordinates with the customer to develop a project schedule that will minimize downtimes.
What back-ups do you do on my drives?
None. Coastal recommends that the customer backs up all data and configuration information before remediation.
What is expected of my team during remediation?
Your team is the expert on your systems, applications, and architecture. In advance of restoration, Coastal typically expects that you:
1. Participate in the development of a project timeline.
2. Inform Coastal of any safety or environmental concerns.
3. Perform back-ups of critical data and configuration settings.
4. Ensure that all site resources and affected parties are informed of the shut-down schedule.
5. Ensure necessary security access to the facilities and equipment.
During restoration,
1. Assign a daily single point of contact to address any concerns.
2. Perform shut-downs of the equipment.
3. Assist in performing any necessary infrastructure/ application testing.
Is restoration widely accepted?
Yes. Restoration has been successfully performed for at least 75 years. Advances in many technologies make it an obvious choice among those who routinely rely on those technologies (e.g. OEMs, circuit board and integrated circuit industries, military, etc.). Not everyone is aware of the option, or realizes the scientific basis for the work, but CTS is working to spread the word.
What are the risks?
There is risk in working on any equipment. Even shutting down equipment that has not been contaminated has an associated risk of failure upon restart. Through its many years of experience, Coastal has developed protocols and procedures that reduce these risks during the restoration process. After restoration, the risk of failure is the same as if the contamination event had never occurred.
When restoration is cost effective why would someone choose not to do it?
It is the typical mentality of the general public that items that have been restored will never be as good as something that is new. However, Coastal’s post restoration testing and testimonials from past customers prove otherwise. In many cases, the restored items perform just as well and sometimes better than replacements. Coastal has taken a scientific approach to the restoration process so that customers can be assured of a level of quality that will meet or exceed expectations established by the manufacturers.
Coastal Technical Services was founded in 1994, and provides damage assessment and recovery solutions concerning technical assets. Our companies' services are typically required after the occurrence of either a disaster or environmental event. We are called upon by many different types of clients including, but not limited to, insurance companies, original equipment manufacturers, construction companies and end user markets who utilize various types of electronic and electromechanical equipment
What is an OEM?
An Original Equipment Manufacturer, which by definition is a company that manufactures products to be sold under a brand name. Companies such as Apple, HP, Dell, and Cisco are examples of OEMs.
What is the IPC?
The IPC is an international organization made up of 3300 member companies worldwide, representing all facets of the electronics industry, including printed circuit board manufacturing, and electronics assembly.
Why do you adopt the IPC?
IPC is one of the largest and most commonly recognized organizations that has standards dealing directly with contamination on circuit boards. CTS has been an active member of the IPC since 2005 and believes it is the organization that will best serve the restoration industry.
Who recognizes the IPC?
All significant members of the electronics industry including: aerospace, defense, medical, consumer electronics, and information technology.
Why not ASHRE or IS or any other association?
CTS does not exclude ASHRE or other recognized standards bodies. In our judgment, the most directly applicable sets of standards relating to circuit assemblies contamination currently resides with the IPC.
Why ion chromatography as test methodology?
CTS uses Ion Chromatography to forensically evaluate contaminants on circuit assemblies. A formalized test method has been documented by the IPC based upon this method. The laboratory method is effective in quantifying key components that can lead to premature failure of electronic assemblies.
Using ion chromatography, one can often distinguish between items that were affected and items that were unaffected by a contamination event. In addition, the risk of future electronic assembly failure can be assessed based upon the measured levels of contamination.
What other testing do you deploy and why?
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) – chemical identification
- Mega-Ohm testing – insulation testing and motor reliability
- Optical Microscopy – contaminant and corrosion identification
- X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Photometry – metal and elemental analysis
- Thermal Imaging – electrical bus system integrity
- Air quality - particle counts and particle collection.
- Environmental condition monitoring – temperature, humidity
- Oscilloscope – signal integrity
- Grounding network analysis
Yes, any qualified laboratory following the same IPC test method(s) should obtain equivalent results.
How is the sampling size determined?
CTS develops an appropriate sampling plan based upon the facts relating to the case. This may include requirements from the OEM(s). An appropriate number and distribution of samples is chosen to provide useful and meaningful data that measures the intended parameter(s). A sufficient number of samples is required to identify and recognize patterns or trends.
How long does it take to run the test?
It often takes 3-5 days to obtain results. More time is required for a larger numbers of samples.
Why does it take so long for me to get the results?
In specific instances, laboratory work can be expedited, however, each set of samples arriving at Coastal’s laboratory is normally processed in queue. Although processing is remarkably efficient, many steps are involved, including sample preparation, machine processing, analyses, report writing, photography, etc.
How can I be sure the test is unbiased?
All of Coastal’s Ion Chromatography testing follows the IPC test method(s) and the results are repeatable by any laboratory following the same procedures. Furthermore, each batch of samples is calibrated using Dionex calibration standards. A four point calibration is performed to ensure that measured quantities are accurate. CTS prefers that all interested parties have access to the data for interpretation and discussion regarding disposition.
What is an IPC inspection?
An IPC inspection is a detailed visual inspection of equipment that follows the IPC-A-610E standard.
What can I expect from an inspection?
An IPC inspection is a visual examination that looks for any potential problems with a circuit assembly. The criteria are detailed in IPC-A-610E, and cover a wide range of topics and architectures. Included among these are cleanliness criteria. The inspection does not include performance or operational testing.
If the analysis is within guideline why would you recommend remediation?
Electronic assemblies can be “within IPC ionic contamination guidelines” and still outside of “IPC guidelines.” IPC-A-610E is concerned with more than just ionic contaminants. Nonionic contaminants can affect circuit operation by causing thermal problems, altering dielectrics, causing abrasion, etc. This is why CTS may recommend remediation even though ionic levels are at acceptable limits.
What is the difference between wet, dry, modified dry, modified wet etc?
"Wet cleaning generally requires automated aqueous cleaning equipment that is brought to the customer’s location. The cleaning operations are usually performed inside a mobile laboratory at the customer’s site.
Dry cleaning can be performed inside a mobile laboratory at the customer’s site, or may be performed inside the customer’s facility. All operations are done to minimize the impact to the customer.
What is the process of each type of remediation?
Wet cleaning generally requires complete disassembly of the equipment to access the printed circuit boards. The boards are then processed in an automated aqueous cleaning system and the remaining chassis and other parts are manually cleaned. Following a complete drying cycle, the equipment is reassembled, reinstalled, and tested as necessary. Post restoration ion chromatographic samples are harvested to ensure restoration success.
Dry cleaning is generally similar in process to wet cleaning. However, the disassembly required is not as intrusive and the boards are cleaned using protocols that exclude aqueous solutions.
Whether wet or dry, the proposed cleaning protocol is chosen based upon the most effective and economical method to restore the affected equipment.
What is the success rate?
The success rate is near 100%.
What guarantee do I get?
Coastal guarantees that after a restoration, cleaned electronic assemblies will meet or exceed IPC’s cleanliness guidelines, which is an indicator of full-life expectancy.
Why do OEM's participate?
Often, OEM’s recognize that with a restoration option, they are able to provide customers a valuable service that minimizes business interruption, reduces or eliminates reconfiguration and incompatibilities, keeps existing data, limits retraining of personnel, is not plagued by long lead times, and is very cost effective. This kind of program also protects the OEM’s service and warranty position, ensuring that the final product meets OEM specifications.
What happens if appliances fail during remediation?
Coastal adheres to strict protocols intended prevent the failure of equipment during the restoration process. However, equipment can fail during remediation. This consideration must be discussed with all parties prior to remediation. Such failures are often a part of the complete loss, since the remediation process would not have been required unless the loss had occurred. Contaminants can move and continue to damage equipment after an event. Occasionally, systems that have not been power cycled for an extended period, fail to restart. If required, replacement systems or parts may be retained for rapid deployment to ensure that any outage is quickly resolved.
What is a support statement?
In terms of restoration, this is a statement from the OEM or service and maintenance provider indicating continued support of the equipment post restoration.
How do you use the OEM's in the process?
It depends upon the OEM. Coastal prefers to work directly with the OEM technicians. However, some OEMs do not have the resources to participate and have sometimes allowed Coastal to retain a certified 3rd party to perform the work required. The OEM technicians and/or 3rd party providers will be certified, have expertise with the equipment, and the necessary diagnostic tools. The technicians assist Coastal in the restoration by disassembling and re-assembling equipment, and performing any testing or diagnostics that may be required. After all the test data has been analyzed and provided to the OEM, a final disposition letter is provided by the OEM to the client documenting the warranty and/or support status of the equipment.
When is remediation recommended?
Equipment remediation is recommended if the inspection and data reveal that it is necessary, and if the equipment is able to be cost effectively restored.
What is your experience in remediation?
CTS’s success over the last 20 years has been outstanding. We attribute this to our qualified technical resources, scientific approach, contributions to standards organizations, and partnerships with experts and OEMs that leverage our strengths.
How long is any appliance "down" during a remediation?
It depends upon the item. Taking into consideration the critical nature of the equipment and Coastal’s experience and extensive database of known equipment process times, Coastal coordinates with the customer to develop a project schedule that will minimize downtimes.
What back-ups do you do on my drives?
None. Coastal recommends that the customer backs up all data and configuration information before remediation.
What is expected of my team during remediation?
Your team is the expert on your systems, applications, and architecture. In advance of restoration, Coastal typically expects that you:
1. Participate in the development of a project timeline.
2. Inform Coastal of any safety or environmental concerns.
3. Perform back-ups of critical data and configuration settings.
4. Ensure that all site resources and affected parties are informed of the shut-down schedule.
5. Ensure necessary security access to the facilities and equipment.
During restoration,
1. Assign a daily single point of contact to address any concerns.
2. Perform shut-downs of the equipment.
3. Assist in performing any necessary infrastructure/ application testing.
Is restoration widely accepted?
Yes. Restoration has been successfully performed for at least 75 years. Advances in many technologies make it an obvious choice among those who routinely rely on those technologies (e.g. OEMs, circuit board and integrated circuit industries, military, etc.). Not everyone is aware of the option, or realizes the scientific basis for the work, but CTS is working to spread the word.
What are the risks?
There is risk in working on any equipment. Even shutting down equipment that has not been contaminated has an associated risk of failure upon restart. Through its many years of experience, Coastal has developed protocols and procedures that reduce these risks during the restoration process. After restoration, the risk of failure is the same as if the contamination event had never occurred.
When restoration is cost effective why would someone choose not to do it?
It is the typical mentality of the general public that items that have been restored will never be as good as something that is new. However, Coastal’s post restoration testing and testimonials from past customers prove otherwise. In many cases, the restored items perform just as well and sometimes better than replacements. Coastal has taken a scientific approach to the restoration process so that customers can be assured of a level of quality that will meet or exceed expectations established by the manufacturers.
