-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAlternate Metallization Processes
Traditional electroless copper and electroless copper immersion gold have been primary PCB plating methods for decades. But alternative plating metals and processes have been introduced over the past few years as miniaturization and advanced packaging continue to develop.
Technology Roadmaps
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we discuss technology roadmaps and what they mean for our businesses, providing context to the all-important question: What is my company’s technology roadmap?
Wet Process Control
In this issue, we examine wet processes and how to obtain a better degree of control that allows usable data to guide our decisions and produce consistently higher-quality products.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics, Chapter 3
August 14, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Excerpt from: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics, by Julie Cliche-Dubois, Cogiscan
Chapter 3: SMT Data Analytics: Oven to AOI
The latter half of the SMT process is all about soldering the SMT components to the PCB and verifying the accurate placement of those components to help ensure the functionality and reliability of the unit. In this chapter, we’ll look at the important analytics for the reflow oven and automated optical inspection (AOI) machine.
Oven
While not the “sexiest” machine on the line, the reflow oven is a critical element of the SMT process by facilitating the melting of solder paste to form both reliable and durable solder joints. Dialing in the oven process, especially in high-mix scenarios, is something of an art form: the various nuances and adjustments with temperatures and conveyor speed between jobs can be incredibly complicated. If not carefully managed, it can jeopardize the overall quality and reliability of PCBAs produced.
LINE OPERATOR: Maintenance schedule is of the utmost importance with a reflow oven—keeping that beast up and running is key. Any unexpected break with an oven is rarely simple, and the line operator doesn’t want the line to go down in order to fix a broken heater in the oven. And any units running in the oven during a malfunction and/or breakdown will probably get scrapped (burned).
The line operator needs to be warned at the start of the reflow operation if the actual/measured zone temperatures are too far from the set/programmed temperatures. Ideally, line interlocking should also be performed (if a complementary shop floor control system is in place). This not only applies during production but is also important immediately following a recipe change during changeover. Reflow ovens may need up to 45 minutes to stabilize on a new recipe if the new zone temperatures differ greatly from the current program.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEER: Concerned with all costs and resources used during production, the manufacturing engineer is going to pay attention to any metrics related to downtime, especially unplanned downtime (Figure 3.1). When an oven goes down, it’s usually not an easy fix. Beyond the cost of rework, when a reflow oven isn’t producing boards, it’s still consuming a lot of energy.
Line balancing is critical for effective energy usage; looking at oven utilization will let the manufacturing engineer know when it’s sitting idle (burning energy for nothing) and why it’s waiting for product: are the bottlenecks elsewhere on the line?
Suggested Items
Bransys Acquires Two REHM VisionXP+ Nitro 3850 Reflow Ovens
10/14/2024 | BransysBransys Group, a leading provider of comprehensive PCB design and assembly services, is pleased to announce the addition of two REHM VisionXP+ Nitro 3850 Type 834 reflow ovens to its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Saab Secures New Order for Carl-Gustaf Systems from U.S. Air Force
08/26/2024 | SaabSaab’s Carl-Gustaf system (designated MAAWS in the U.S.) has a long and proven record with the U.S. military. This order is a first for the U.S. Air Force, joining U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) as U.S. customers.
Altus, Danutek Announce Strategic New Partnership with actnano
08/19/2024 | Altus GroupAltus Group and its sister company Danutek, renowned suppliers of capital equipment and service support to the electronics manufacturing sector, are pleased to announce their new partnership with actnano, a global leader in surface protection technologies.
U.S., Netherlands Sign Agreement For JASSM-ER Missiles
07/30/2024 | Lockheed MartinU.S. and Netherlands officials formalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) agreement to purchase Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER). With this agreement, the Netherlands becomes JASSM’s fifth international customer.
Taiwan to Receive AV’s Switchblade 300 Loitering Munition Systems
07/03/2024 | BUSINESS WIREThe U.S. Department of State announced approval of a possible foreign military sale of AeroVironment (AV) Switchblade® 300 loitering munition systems to Taiwan for an estimated $60.2 million.