KroyTech Workbenches
BenchPro™ Advanced ESD Workbenches Description
Phone: 954-946-8539

[Home] [Sample Workbench Prices] [Customers & Testimonials] [Terms] [Warranty] [FAQ] [KroyTech]
[ESD Description] [Chemical Resistant Description]

Electronic workbench systemWhat is included with a BenchPro ESD workbench system? (From the BenchPro FAQ)

BenchPro's ESD static-dissipative workbench system includes 2 grounding lugs, 2 wrist strap jacks, 2 green grounding wires and Nevamar™ ESD laminate. All table tops come standard with our internal 5-sided system connecting all ESD laminate sections. Wrist straps not included.

BENCHPRO'S ADVANCED ESD SYSTEM VS COMPETITORS

1. Competitors' ESD laminate: Its important to know that most of our competitors use two other brands of “ESD laminate” which simply dip a sheet of regular Formica® into a chemical bath, then dry the sheet. These sheets come from the laminate dipper with a label which, to paraphrase it, reads “Do not clean with any products containing water, ammonia, chlorine, or soap.” We have replaced hundreds of competitors' tops which have lost their ESD properties over time, even though they followed all the manufacturer instructions. You see, human perspiration contains water too.

2.
We use Nevamar ESD laminate on the top and all four edges. As surprising as it sounds most other companies either use a non-dissipative rubber strip or use economy nonconductive laminate on the edges. If you already have a competitors’ ESD bench, you can spot this by checking to see if the laminate looks identical in color, thickness and texture. If it looks different, check the surface resistivity. It won’t be the same.

3.
Aluminum Underside: We are the only bench manufacturer to use an aluminum sheet to seal the underside of our tops and to assure conductivity and redundancy. While other makers either leave the core particleboard uncovered on the bottom, paint the bottom or apply a brown paper sheet, we use the only material which completely seals out moisture. This is important too, as this moisture is the only reason tops warp, and leaving a nonconductive bottom sheet can cause problems in sensitive work areas. By putting the aluminum on the bottom, there are two ways that static can travel.

4.
Multiple Grounding Systems: While other brands of benches tout a very special bolt used to ground the surface of the laminate to their grounding system wires, we have eliminated this bolt (and the wires). Because all BenchPro bench tops are designed with a full 180° degree radius on the front edge of the top, and because the front laminate wraps under the top in the front, we simply place the frame where the fastening screws go through the laminate. This conducts the static charge directly into the frame, which is in turn grounded by two conductors we provide for earth grounding. All ESD shelves have the same grounding system too.

The frame on BenchPro workbenches is conductive from every point. The top mounts to the frame with a series of fasteners around the perimeter of the frame top. On the front, these connectors each ground the radiused front edge of the top to the frame, eliminating the possibility of ground failure found on benches with bolts through the top and wires on the underside. Our exclusive ESD design eliminates all bench grounding system failures.

The two front legs have banana jacks on both front legs to accept ESD wrist straps. The back of the frame has two mounting lugs to attach the two grounding wires which are included with the system. This enables you to connect and ground multiple ESD workbenches in tandem to one grounding source. You will find this double system in evidence on every ESD bench and accessory we make.

BenchPro ESD work benches are not connected electrically to the floor. We use isolative floor glides, so static charges will pass only through the grounding system provided.

ABOUT NEVAMAR ESD LAMINATE

We only use Nevamar ESD laminates: Only Nevamar uses a patented design which controls the static dissipation rate to meet all American National Standards Institude (ANSI)/ESD Association S20.20 and Federal GSA ESD standards. These are the same laminates distributed by 3M™. These laminates carry the static charge across an exclusive center layer of carbon which is just below the surface color layer. Nevamar's exclusive use of this center carbon layer insures years of dependable use. Over the years, we have tested all inexpensive "ESD laminates" made in countries all over the world and found in each case that their ESD properties degraded.

"All static dissipative laminates from Nevamar provide a controlled path to ground for the dissipation of static electricity to protect sensitive parts. A uniform resistance to ground is maintained from any point on the surface." (ESD Journal)

Nevamar has an additional patent which toughens the surface of the sheet, so it wears two to three times longer. This surface technology provides two to three times the ANSI/National Electrical Mfrs Association (NEMA) standard for wear resistance. Use of Nevamar is one of the critical features which allow us to guarantee the bench for 10 years. Find out more at www.nevamar.com. Select the "Static Dissipative Laminate" document.

- Static Dissipative Laminates™ -

The unique characteristics of Nevamar Static Dissipative Laminate makes it ideally suited for a variety of electronically sensitive applications. The new enhanced product (patent pending) meets or surpasses all standards for electrical properties even at low humidity levels. The product also practically eliminates surface shedding to provide a tough, durable work surface that outlasts competitive materials.

Nevamar's exclusive Armored Protection™ reduces surface shedding to one-tenth that of conventional laminates, provides long-term resistance to surface abrasion and extends the life of the laminate by maintaining its surface texture.

"It will also withstand the use of many common chemicals, and is extremely resistant to heat, hot solder, and solder flux." (ESD Journal)

- Nevamar Static Dissipative Laminate™ Sheet Specifications -

Nevamar Laminate sheets are designed for permanent lamination to work station furniture surfaces and are individually certified to meet to meet or exceed ANSI/NEMA and ANSI/ESDA standards.

Nevamar™ Static Dissipative Armored Protection™ Surface Specifications
(
From Nevamar.com)

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Wear Resistance Solid Colors (NEMA LD3-2000)
Physical Properties

Typical NEMA Value

Typical Rate of Wear
(weight loss per 100 cycles abrasion)
Static Dissipative Armored Protection™ Surface

1000 cycles

.006 gm/100 cycles
Conventional Laminate

400 cycles

.080 gm/100 cycles
  • Laminate performance properties meet or exceed NEMA LD 3-2000 standards for grade HGP. Features Armored Protection™ Surface.
  • Thickness: Postformable sheet 0.039" +/-0.005"
                       Lay Flat Table Mat .059" +/-0.005"
  • Surface Finish: Standard textured finish
  • Formability: Postformable within 1/2" to 3/4" radius depending on equipment and humidity.
  • Temperature Resistance: 350°F with no change per NEMA 3.6
  • Chemical Resistance: Resistant to common solvents such as Acetone; 111 Trichloroethylene; Solder flux; Isopropyl Alcohol; Naphtha.
  • Bonding Procedure: Use standard contact or white glue adhesives and standard (NEMA) application procedures for High Pressure Decorative Laminates.
  • Maintenance: Clean Static Dissipative Laminate with good ammoniated detergent, rinsing with clear water. Do not use wax or other coatings since they may modify the electrical properties of the laminate.

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
Test Relative Humidity Electrical Results
Point to Point Resistance1 60% - 40%
40% - 20%
20% -10%
106 to 1 x 107 ohms
10
7to 1 x 108 ohms
10
8 to 109ohms
Point to Ground Resistance1 60% -40%
40% - 20%
20% - 10%
106 to 1 x 107ohms
10
7 to 1 x 108 ohms
10
8to 109 ohms
Volume Resistance2 60%- 30%
30% - 10%
107 to 1 x 108 ohms
10
8 to 109 ohms
StaticDecay3 50%
10%
0.01 sec
0.02
sec
1 Per EOS/ESD - S 4.1
2 Measured Face to Back at 72°F, 100 V with a LCD Megohmmeter, Item No. 19770,NFPA Electrodes (2.5 inch diameter, 5 pounds)
3 FTMS 101C, Method 4046


BENCHPRO ESD WORKBENCH SPECIFICATIONS

Resistance on BenchPro's ESD protected surfaces and accessories typically fall within the following ranges measured at 100 volts which meets all related ANSI/ESD Association industry standards for static-safe ESD control. You would use a Suface Resistance Meter set to 100 volts to test correctly. RH (below) = Relative Humidity.

At 40% to 60% RH the resistance range will normally be 106 ohms (1 megohm) to 107 ohms (10 megohms).
At 20% to 40% RH the resistance range will normally be 107 ohms (10 megohms) to 108 ohms (100 megohms).
At 10% to 20% RH the resistance range will normally be 108 ohms (100 megohms) to 109 ohms (1000 megohms).
Point to point resistance over ground wires to hard ground will normally be about 106 ohms (1 megohm).

Our ESD specifications meet all ANSI/ESDA and Federal GSA standards. We recommend following ANSI/ESDA guidelines for full static protection in your work areas, especially at low humidity levels. See also our recommended articles on how to create and maintain a static-safe environment.

Copyright © BenchPro, Inc.

BenchPro is a trademark of BenchPro, Inc. Nevamar, Static Dissipative Laminate and Static Dissipative Armored Protection are trademarks of Panolam Industries Int'l, Inc. Formica is a registered trademark of Formica Corp. 3M is a trademark of 3M Corp.

[Top of Page]

[Home] [Sample Workbench Prices] [Customers & Testimonials] [Terms] [Warranty] [FAQ] [KroyTech]
[ESD Description] [Chemical Resistant Description]