UV Conformal Coating Inspection Booths

365 nm UVA LED inspection equipment designed for reliable conformal coating QA

SCH’s UV conformal coating inspection booths are developed from equipment and inspection methods we use within our own coating services every day. That practical experience has driven the latest development of our IB100 and IB101 inspection booths.

The latest systems incorporate 365 nm UVA LED lighting optimised specifically for fluorescent conformal coating inspection. Based on our own production experience, the new lighting provides an improved inspection environment compared with the traditional blacklight tubes previously used within our equipment, helping operators examine fluorescent coating coverage and workmanship more effectively.

Operator UVA exposure has also been considered as part of the design. Before introducing the new lighting configuration into our commercial equipment range, SCH commissioned an independent specialist UV measurement and exposure assessment of the inspection arrangement under realistic working conditions.

365 nm UVA LED conformal coating inspection booth with independently assessed operator UVA exposure

365 nm UVA LED lighting optimised for conformal coating inspection, with operator UVA exposure independently assessed.

Why UVA inspection lighting matters

Many conformal coatings contain a fluorescent tracer that becomes readily visible under suitable UVA illumination. This gives operators an important visual aid when assessing coating coverage and workmanship.

But specifying a UVA wavelength is only part of the inspection system. The lighting arrangement, working position, distance, shielding and reflected light all influence the inspection environment experienced by the operator.

Developed around two requirements

Effective inspection: 365 nm UVA LED illumination optimised for fluorescent conformal coating inspection.

Operator safety: lighting position, working distance, shielding and reflected UVA exposure considered as part of the equipment design.

Developed through real conformal coating production

SCH is both a conformal coating equipment supplier and a conformal coating service provider. We therefore experience the same practical inspection, finishing and rework challenges as the manufacturers who use our equipment.

Our previous inspection equipment used conventional blacklight tubes. Through day-to-day coating operations, we identified an opportunity to create a better inspection environment and moved to a new 365 nm UVA LED lighting arrangement.

The resulting lighting system is now used within SCH’s own conformal coating services. Our experience is that it provides improved illumination for fluorescent conformal coating inspection compared with the traditional blacklight tubes we previously used.

Independent UVA exposure assessment

SCH did not rely solely on the specification of the UVA LEDs. We commissioned an independent UV measurement and assessment survey of the complete inspection arrangement before introducing the new lighting configuration into our commercial equipment range.

The assessment considered realistic operator exposure conditions including working positions, working distance, direct and reflected UVA, and exposure to the eyes, face, hands and forearms.

Independent assessment finding

For the assessed configuration and working conditions, personal exposure remained within the applicable statutory exposure limits and the existing engineering controls were considered adequate.

UVA equipment must still be operated using appropriate workplace controls, PPE, procedures and employee awareness. Employers remain responsible for determining and implementing the requirements applicable to their workplace.

SCH IB100 and IB101 UV conformal coating inspection booths used for PCB inspection, finishing and quality control

SCH conformal coating inspection booth equipment for controlled inspection, finishing and rework operations.

IB100 single-operator UVA inspection booth

The IB100 inspection booth is a compact floor-standing workstation designed for a single seated operator. It provides a dedicated environment for conformal coating inspection while also supporting finishing, de-masking, localised rework and repair activities.

Key features

✓ Purpose-designed 365 nm UVA LED conformal coating inspection lighting
✓ Lighting configuration optimised through SCH’s own coating and inspection experience
✓ Independent specialist UVA exposure assessment of the inspection arrangement
✓ Floor-standing workstation designed for seated operator use
✓ Independent lighting control
✓ Extraction connection for integration with a suitable LEV system
✓ Powder-coated construction for production environments and easy cleaning

Dimensions and facilities

External dimensions (approx.): 780 mm (W) × 850 mm (D) × 1735 mm (H)
Extraction connection: 1 × 150 mm
Power: 13A single phase
LEV requirement: airflow and face velocity should be determined according to the process, materials and applicable local regulations

IB101 dual-operator UVA inspection booth

The IB101 inspection booth provides an increased working area for two operators working side-by-side, or for a single operator requiring additional inspection and finishing space. It is suited to higher-throughput conformal coating production, QA, finishing and repair operations.

Key features

✓ Dual-operator capacity or increased workspace for a single operator
✓ Purpose-designed 365 nm UVA LED conformal coating inspection lighting
✓ Lighting configuration optimised through SCH’s own coating and inspection experience
✓ Independent specialist UVA exposure assessment of the inspection arrangement
✓ Independent lighting control
✓ Extraction connections for integration with a suitable LEV system
✓ Powder-coated construction for production environments and easy cleaning

Dimensions and facilities

External dimensions (approx.): 1545 mm (W) × 850 mm (D) × 1735 mm (H)
Extraction connections: 2 × 150 mm
Power: 13A single phase
LEV requirement: airflow and face velocity should be determined according to the process, materials and applicable local regulations

Inspection, finishing and rework in one workstation

Conformal coating inspection is rarely an isolated activity. Assemblies may require de-masking, finishing, touch-up, localised rework or further inspection before release.

The IB100 and IB101 provide a dedicated workstation where these activities can be integrated into the conformal coating production workflow.

Extraction is application dependent. The booths provide connections for integration with a suitable local exhaust ventilation system. Required airflow and face velocity should be established by the user according to the materials, processes and regulations applicable in the country of installation. For UK installations, requirements should be determined through the appropriate COSHH and LEV assessment.

Conformal coating inspection training and defect recognition

Effective inspection depends on more than the workstation. Operators also need to understand what they are looking for and how inspection criteria should be applied consistently.

SCH can support customers with practical conformal coating inspection training based on our own coating and inspection experience.

Conformal coating defect and workmanship recognition
Coverage, skips, bubbles and other visible coating conditions
Inspection workflow and escalation
Integration of inspection into the wider coating process
Practical use of dedicated conformal coating inspection equipment

UVA safety training: employers are responsible for identifying and arranging any UVA hazard-awareness training required for their personnel and workplace. SCH can advise customers on this requirement and, where appropriate, recommend an independent UV safety specialist.

👉 Explore SCH conformal coating training →

Frequently asked questions

1. Why use UVA lighting to inspect conformal coatings?

Many conformal coatings contain a fluorescent tracer that becomes visible under suitable UVA illumination. This helps operators visually assess coating coverage and workmanship as part of the inspection process.

2. Why has SCH moved from traditional blacklight tubes to UVA LED lighting?

SCH uses UVA inspection within its own conformal coating services. Based on that practical experience, we developed a new UVA LED lighting arrangement to provide a better inspection environment than the conventional blacklight tubes previously used in our equipment. The new system is now used within SCH’s own coating operations.

3. What wavelength is used for conformal coating inspection?

365 nm UVA is commonly used for conformal coating inspection because many conformal coatings contain fluorescent tracers that respond strongly under UVA illumination. This makes coating coverage and workmanship easier for operators to assess.

SCH’s latest inspection booths use 365 nm UVA LED lighting specifically optimised for fluorescent conformal coating inspection. The lighting arrangement has been developed through SCH’s own coating operations to provide an improved inspection environment compared with the traditional blacklight tubes previously used in our equipment.

4. Has the new UVA lighting system been independently assessed?

Yes. SCH commissioned an independent specialist UV measurement and exposure assessment of the new UVA LED inspection arrangement before introducing it into our commercial equipment range. The assessment included representative operator positions, working distances and direct and reflected UVA exposure. For the assessed configuration, personal exposure remained within the applicable statutory exposure limits and the engineering controls were considered adequate.

5. How is operator UVA exposure managed?

The independent assessment found that exposure remained within the applicable statutory exposure limits for the assessed SCH configuration and working conditions. UVA is nevertheless an occupational exposure that must be managed appropriately. Users remain responsible for suitable procedures, PPE, employee awareness and any training required by their workplace and local regulations.

6. What is the difference between the IB100 and IB101?

IB100 is a compact workstation designed for one operator. IB101 provides a wider working area suitable for two operators working side-by-side or one operator requiring additional inspection and finishing space.

7. What extraction rate is required?

The booths provide connections for integration with a suitable LEV system. Required airflow and face velocity depend on the materials, process and regulations applicable in the country of installation. The user should determine the appropriate extraction performance through their workplace risk and LEV assessment. For UK installations this should be considered against applicable COSHH and HSE requirements.

8. Can the booths be used for rework, de-masking and finishing?

Yes. The workstations can support conformal coating inspection alongside activities such as de-masking, finishing and appropriate localised rework. Where processes generate vapours or other contaminants, the extraction arrangement must be suitable for the materials and work being undertaken.

9. Does SCH provide UVA safety training?

SCH provides practical equipment guidance and conformal coating inspection training. Employers remain responsible for identifying and arranging appropriate UVA hazard-awareness training for their personnel. SCH can advise on this requirement and recommend an independent UV safety specialist where appropriate.

Related SCH equipment and Guidance

Choosing a conformal coating inspection workstation?

Talk to SCH about your coating materials, inspection requirements, production volumes, workstation layout and extraction requirements. Our team can help you determine whether the IB100 or IB101 is the appropriate configuration and how the workstation should integrate into your wider conformal coating process.

Discuss your inspection requirements
View IB100 & IB101

📞 Call: +44 (0)1226 249019 | ✉ Email: sales@schservices.com

Why Choose SCH Services?

SCH develops equipment from practical conformal coating experience. We operate coating, inspection, finishing and rework processes ourselves, allowing equipment development to be informed by the realities of production rather than specification alone.

✓ Used within our own coating services – inspection equipment and processes are informed by day-to-day SCH production experience.
✓ Inspection knowledge as well as equipment – support covers coating, inspection, finishing, rework and process control.
✓ Independent technical assessment where it matters – the new UVA inspection configuration has undergone specialist exposure measurement and assessment.
✓ Equipment and process support together – SCH can support the workstation, operator inspection process and integration into the wider conformal coating operation.

Important application and safety information

Product information on this page is provided as general guidance. Equipment configuration, extraction requirements, operating procedures, PPE and training requirements must be assessed for the specific materials, processes, workplace and regulations applicable in the country of use. UVA exposure assessment findings relate to the SCH configuration and working conditions assessed. Users remain responsible for validating the suitability of equipment and associated controls for their application. Equipment specifications may be updated as part of SCH’s ongoing product development programme.

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