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Making the Transition from ANSI/ESD S20.20 Compliance to ANSI/ESD S20.20 Certified

By Tony Lopez, VP Logistics & Warehouse Services, PRIDE Industries

ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the multi-industry standard for the development of ESD control programs that protect increasingly sensitive electronic components, assemblies and equipment from costly ESD damage and reduce down-time. Used by numerous international OEMs and serving as the replacement for MIL-STD 1686, the S20.20 standard has quickly become highly regarded in the commercial electronic, telecommunication, aerospace, automotive and medical device industries.

A key step in the company’s transition from its current ANSI/ESD S20.20 compliance tobecoming ANSI/ESD S20.20 certified, PRIDE Industries has upgraded 20,000 ft2 of its existing ESD flooring in its surface mountand mixed Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly areas to the latest ESD tile flooring. The new StaticStop FreeStyle ESD Plus Apollo tiles employ a patented glueless “zipper” interlocking system that enables the flooring to be installed over existing flooring with minimal subfloor preparation. There is no need for messy, toxic adhesives and down-time is significantly reduced—often times without need to close off an area.

PRIDE project teams stay in constant communication to refine its services so that they remain aligned with customers’ continually changing needs and objectives. An ESD control program helps eliminate costly component failures while increasing customer satisfaction. Using the standard’s control methods and guidance, PRIDE is further developing its ESD control program that protects devices down to 100v (class 1a) or less.

Other steps completed thus far:

Migrated shop travelers from antistatic pink polyethylene document holders to clear static dissipative job jackets in 2018.
Replaced cardboard used on ESD cart shelves with Conductive Corrugated Plastic sheets, 2018/2019.
Repaired or replaced several ESD chairs that measured out of specification. Added 38 additional ESD chairs, both as replacements and as additional chairs ($15k across 2019/2020)
Upgraded existing ESD evaluation meters with a Desco ESD Survey Test Kit ($3,500 in 2019)
o In conjunction, expanded ESD testing coverage to enable planned replacements of ESD mats for all benches.
Replaced aged ESD totes (ongoing project started in late 2019 and completing in 2021).
Introduced ESDsafe acrylic (for laser cut processing) and ESDsafe filament (for 3D printed components) for use with jigs, test fixtures and other internally developed shop aids.
PRIDE selected the FreeStyleESD tile because the benefits of the FreeStyle technology were superior to competitive flooring with the ability to lay down withoutglues or adhesives and minimal subfloor preparation.

Brian Moylan, REStronics Managing Partner for Northern CA, was the manufacturers’ representative that liaised the project. Moylan was on site and helped with the installation. He stated, “FreeStyle ESD Plus is a unique technology that is incredibly easy to work with, so simple in fact that PRIDE’s facilities/engineering personnel decided to do the installation themselves. The floor looks great, performs flawlessly and will last for decades.”

PRIDE’ Engineering Manager Andy Williams added, “Working with Tom at SelecTech has been great. He is very down to earth and open/honest in the discussions, even when talking about competitor’s products. He knows the total market for ESD flooring well. Brian from REStronics has been very helpful with getting us data to support our decision making and even performed a full ANSI 20.20 ESD audit for us for free to help give us more understanding of our overall ESD compliance status.”

The tough ESD polyurethane coat gives the floor a nowax finish that not only reduces the long-term costs of maintaining the floor but keeps the floor looking great. When PRIDE did the math, it all added upthat FreeStyle ESD Plus was the clear choice from performance and aesthetics to total cost of ownership/lifetime costs.

Although the 20-tile sample set of the flooring was impressive when laid out in an area of our production floor, it did not compare to the reaction from staff when we finished the first 4,000 ft2 of the install,” said Williams. The tiling of the larger area was very well received and the entire department was excited when the install was completed.”

Choosing an interlocking tile allowed PRIDE to phase in the install with no impact on production by scheduling installs at end of shifts or when cells were inactive. Glue down tile installation would have taken 6-8 days of production time from a 4-week period, and equipment would have needed to be moved (some would need to be calibrated when put back into place, resulting in more costs).

PRIDE’s General Manager Mike Douglas said, “Being that the tile is not glued down and can be disassembled as easy as it was installed, it is not a tenant improvement to the building, but rather an actual asset of PRIDE’s. If we were to move the PCBA lines to another floor or a different building, we can move the floor as well.

PRIDE Industries, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is the leading employer of people with disabilities, with expertise providing facility operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, and fulfillment services to public and private organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE’s mission is to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities through person-centered job coaching, training, and placement. PRIDE’s mission extends nationwide, assisting individuals to become self-sufficient, contribute to their communities, and achieve their employment goals.

PRIDE Industries delivers outsourced manufacturing and facilities solutions that help businesses and the government stay focused on their goals. PRIDE’s customers range from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, and from local government offices to large federal agencies and secure military installations across the country.

As part of its manufacturing and logistics services, PRIDE Industries offers specialized, state-of-the-art solutions in electronics contract manufacturing and Class I and II medical device manufacturing. As a single-source, full-solutionsprovider, the company saves its customers time and money with a full range of flexible, scalable services that match theirneeds, including packaging, assembly, and award-winning fulfillment and supply chain services.

Whether a small manufacturer or a large corporation, PRIDE Industries has the logistics capabilities, warehouse distribution, and global sourcing expertise required for just-in-time deliveries and budget-friendly solutions.

PRIDE’s tier-one ERP technology system streamlines processes and communication by integrating supplier management, inventory controls, production resource planning, and sales order management. Most importantly, PRIDE delivers the quality standards required in today’s industry. As a manufacturing partner, PRIDE combines experience, equipment, and technology with ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 certified quality systems, dedicated engineering teams, and responsive service. Its results have won best practices recognition from some of the world’s leading corporations.

StaticStop was founded in 1993 with the mission of creating valuable products from scrap plastics. The company is a leader in the manufacture of flooring products from recycled materials and uses one million pounds of recycled materials annually. Made with 70 percent recycled materials and 100 percent recyclable, FreeStyle ESD meets CA 1350 Indoor Air Quality and is MAS Certified Green.

For more information about PRIDE Industries, contact Roy Amri; 916-532-4555; E-mail: roy.amri@prideindustries.com; Web site: prideindustries.com.