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A reflow oven is used to solder SMT assembly components on PCBs accurately. Sometimes these SMT components appear on both sides of the PCB and sometimes only on one side of it. And nowadays, there are so many miniature components that even a small touch can disturb their alignment completely.
This article covers the key factors to be considered prior to investing in a reflow oven for the shop floor.
- One important factor to consider is power consumption. This does not refer to just the starting power, but the running power consumption as well, which is a recurring cost as a reflow oven is mainly into heating, a process that uses a lot of power.
- The second important factor is the remote support facility. If the customer wants a quick solution, then the machines should have the facility to be connected via the Internet so that basic troubleshooting and early support can be provided remotely, online. This facility is being offered by many suppliers to reduce the customer’s downtime.
- The third factor to be considered is productivity. Machines with dual conveyors can accommodate two PCBs of different sizes which can be simultaneously perfected at the same time.
- Fourth, the speed of operations and the type of conveyor should be considered. Whether a mesh conveyor or a chain conveyor is used depends heavily on the type of components used. There are machines that come with a combination of both (mesh and pin chain), which gives flexibility to the customer. However, the type of component used determines the type of belt that is required.
So depending on the manufacturing process, as well as the type and size of components used, the appropriate model of reflow oven should be acquired. Ideally, customers should opt for distributors who try and understand the intricacies of the application and then suggest the right model to the customer.
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In this article, we have covered some of the latest reflow ovens that are available in the market, both in the desktop and the in-line categories.
A few new products available in the market
| Desktop manufacturing |
| Model: NeoDen IN6; Manufacturer: NeoDen |
NeoDen IN6, a desktop reflow oven, uses a new technology for the dynamic warming-up control system to ensure stable temperature. With a tubular heater, the whole heating chamber is uniformly heated. This chamber is built with pure aluminium. The IN6 has a built-in soldering smoke filtering system, which does not need a traditional smoke tube. It solders PCBs in the fully convection method, which ensures the components are heated evenly. It supports most commonly used components, LEDs and various kinds of ICs. Key features:
Contact details: www.chipmax.in,+919243777818, [email protected] |
| In-line manufacturing |
| Model: Konark 1020 (K1020); Manufacturer: EMS Technologies Pvt Ltd |
EMS Technologies has launched a 10-zone reflow oven, the Konark 1020. The new model with a dual conveyor caters to high production throughput for the dual conveyor lines used in various applications in the defence, aerospace, television and set-top box domains, as well as for complex applications that require multilayer boards. Key features:
Indian distributor: EMST Marketing Pvt Ltd |
| Model: Vitronics Soltec Centurion; Manufacturer: ITW Electronics Assembly Equipment |
Vitronics Soltec Centurion is a forced-convection SMT reflow system with tight, closed-loop process control, built for high-throughput PCB assembly environments. The Centurion is able to run any profile at a low set point, which minimises the thermal differences over the product and uses less energy. The patented CATHOX (catalytic thermal oxidiser) reduces maintenance requirements while ensuring a clean process environment. It is effective in removing volatile compounds from the process tunnel during reflow. During thermal oxidation, organic vapours are converted to hydrocarbons, which are captured by a filter.Key features:
Indian distributor: Leaptech Corporation |
| Model: HOTFLOW 4/20; Manufacturer: Kurtz Ersa |
The Ersa HOTFLOW 4/20 reflow soldering system is manufactured entirely from steel, welded air-tight, is powder coated, and comes with an interior electric cabinet and a PC operating terminal. Features include the motorised hood opening, quick-change convection heater cassettes, multi-level process gas cleaning and a powerful cooling zone. Key features:
Indian distributor: Bergen Associates |
| Model: VD-635 LS; Manufacturer: VD Intellisys Technologies (P) Ltd |
VD Intellisys has launched its new reflow oven that weighs around 400kg and has a machine dimension of 3500mm x 700mm x 1300mm (L x W x H). It comes with an operating power of 5kW with a starting power of 16kW. Key features:
Indian distributor: VD Intellisys India (P) Ltd |
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