Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been conformal coating boards?
Northern Coatings has been in business since 1993. We started out by masking and hand dipping boards. We have since changed everything about our operation. In 1999 we began utilizing a selective conformal coating system, and are capable of accuracy to +/- .001" with no masking required.
Why should we deal with Northern Coatings?
For one, Northern Coatings will always return your phone calls and promptly respond to all RFQ's. Every board is inspected two times to ensure that quality is up to the customer's standards. We guarantee you respect and excellent customer service. But more than that, we get your product back in your hands when you need it with the best possible quality. Why would you go anywhere else?
Is your facility ESD safe?
All employees are provided with ESD safe smocks, footwear and they are provided with ESD (silicone free) hand cream. Our production area is located on proper ESD flooring, and all carts and tables used in any part of the production process are properly grounded and covered with ESD safe mats. At Northern Coatings we completely understand the sensitivity and delicacy of the products we handle. Every hour each employee tests their ESD gear to ensure they are working up to standards, and all results are logged.
Do we have to clean our boards prior to coating?
The most common challenges we see here in dealing with contamination on boards are excess flux residue and silicone contamination. These two factors make it very difficult to ensure the coating adheres properly. Depending on the amount of contamination, at times the conformal coating will appear to have an orange peel type effect.
Is Northern Coatings RoHS compliant?
All coatings used are RoHS compliant. Due to RoHS compliancy, manufacturers have been forced to change contents and finishes of certain products. In some cases this has directly affected the wettability of certain boards or areas of boards. At Northern Coatings we are working very hard in different areas to increase our knowledge on how to continue providing customers with a quality product, despite obstacles we may face.
How quickly can I get my boards back?
Our standard turn around time is 2-3 days. However if you are in a desperate rush, it is usually feasible to accommodate. Rush charges do not always apply, it simply depends on how busy we are and how quickly you really need it.
What quality standards do you work to?
We work toward IPC-830 and IPC-610, although IPC-610 does not touch enough on conformal coating to make proper certification worth our while. Due to the fact that conformal coating still seems to be an obscure almost "black magic" like process, IPC still does not offer training courses related to IPC-830 and the "Guidelines for Design, Selection and Application of Conformal Coatings".
Dundalk? Why would you have a business in Dundalk?
Low overhead in a stress free area. No traffic, no big city hassles. It sounds appealing doesn't it? We have been in the same facility for over ten years. We are able to pass these savings on to our customers.
Why did you decide to implement a delivery service?
Because we're in Dundalk. Please take a drive up to see our facility. It's an afternoon out of the office and out of the city. Come see how the rest of us live and work. Five kilometers from Northern Coatings is a local wind farm, it's a real point of interest and something well worth seeing.