Corrective actions improved xenon lamp tube cleaning effectiveness, reduced defects and increased product yield.
THE CLIENT
One of the worlds largest largest manufacturer of lighting equipment and products, and a major manufacturer of xenon and halogen lamps needed to improve the specular quality of its xenon lamp tubes.
THE CHALLENGE
Optical quality quartz tube lamp bodies had surface artifacts causing light scattering to unacceptable limits.
MC2 ACTIVITY
A Contamination Control Assessment was conducted and found a number of contributing factors to the defect condition.
FINDINGS
The Contamination Control Assessment found a number of contributing factors to the defect condition: (1) The wrong frequency used in the ultrasonic cleaning system created a much too aggressive cavitation resulting in etching of the glass tubing; (2) The tube drying system recontaminated the cleaned tubes due to unfiltered air being pulled in to the dryer from a contaminated facility area; (3) Harsh chemicals used in the aqueous cleaning process resulted in etching of the glass surface, and (4) Inadequate rinsing after the cleaning process left cleaning solution residue on the quartz tubing surface.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Corrective action plan, along with a Contamination Control and Administration Plan were set forth.
THE RESULTS
Significantly improved the cleaning effectiveness, reduced defects and increased product yields.
