Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1517668
MARCH 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 41 1. Water consumption and the ability to discharge compliant wastewater can be an operational gate to some operations. 2. Equipment suppliers oen provide worst- case guidance when in the technical start- up phase of equipment installation, and the amount of water needed is typically in excess of actual. 3. Process chemical suppliers oen take the same approach, requiring the end-user (the part manufacturer) to use far in excess of what is needed for that process or for the individual process step. Historically, this has been proven out with only minor exceptions. Simple individual testing with off-the-shelf measurement equipment can be utilized to "tune" each rinse of a specific process line, dial- ing in the water needed to allow for the turn- over of an uncontaminated rinse bath prior to the next rinse cycle, and to ensure the part being processed will be ready for the next step (eliminate drag- out). Each process step has a script and a setting for the rinse and feed flows, as determined during worst-case (full occu- pancy) processing and testing. TTM has also adopted a network-based tracking system for all water consump- tion in all manufacturing locations. In this system, all water consumers at each location are measured by a standard flowme- ter (with pulseable or output capabilities), recorded, tracked, and reviewed on a contin- uous basis. Each system will alarm and notify personnel of high use, demand, or any param- eter that is appropriate for the specific appli- cation. e application has been pioneered by the Advanced Manufacturing Group and EHS Team at TTM. e result is a standard approach used in all manufacturing sites to reduce water consumption and normalize operations, with the goal of reducing water consumption and defining appropriate use. TTM has undertaken a goal of transition- ing certain facilities to zero liquid discharge (ZLD). is effort will result in zero wastewa- ter discharged as a result of circuit board man- ufacturing. Much of the operational aspects are, and were, key to approaching this goal. ZLD is the end state of all water management efforts. ZLD is currently in place at three TTM locations. Stormwater: No Exposure Certified Facilities ough stormwater is not a consumable resource, it is a water resource that requires management. With the majority of the North American (NA) manufacturing facilities being identified as no-exposure certified (NEC) facilities, TTM has elim- inated the footprint of those facilities with respect to storm- water potential impacts. While all sites that operate under a state stormwater discharge facility permit discharge in a compliant manner, TTM will con- tinue to improve and add those remaining facilities to the roster of facilities that have achieved the goal of eliminating all stormwa- ter impact at their manufac- turing sites. TTM will continue to work every day to improve the sustainability of site operations and to ensure that every site's environmental footprint is made smaller. PCB007 Charles Nehrig is the senior director of EHS and sustainability at TTM Technologies.