Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Rehm Thermal Systems Mexico Wins the Mexico Technology Award 2024 in the Category Convection Soldering
November 13, 2024 | Rehm Thermal SystemsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Rehm Thermal Systems Mexico has won the Mexico Technology Award in the category convection soldering with the patented mechatronic curtain for convection soldering systems. The award ceremony took place on 11 September 2024 before the start of SMTA Guadalajara in Mexico.
The Mexico Technology Awards, organized annually by Mexico EMS, recognize companies that drive technical innovation, increase productivity, improve manufacturing quality and deliver cost-effective solutions.
State of the art
Due to the variety of electronic component geometries, the assembly height varies from 5 to 30 mm. These differences lead to the requirement that the throughput height for a convection soldering system is specified as 30 mm upwards and 20 mm downwards.
In addition, e-mobility, for example, has also led to a recognizable need for throughput heights of 50 to 100 mm upwards. This requirement results in an increasing open area at the entrance and exit of the convection soldering system, thereby drastically increasing the consumption of nitrogen necessary for process inertization.
The histogram in figure 2 illustrates that there are assemblies with a total height of up to 30 mm. However, there are predominantly assemblies that are no higher than 7 mm and for which the throughput heights are oversized, resulting in more nitrogen escaping from the system than would be the case with a curtain design optimized to this height.
Solution approach
To achieve both the maximum required throughput height and the always optimal nitrogen consumption for lower assemblies, Rehm Thermal Systems has patented, developed and mass-produced the mechatronic curtain. In the process, movable curtains are installed at the inlet and outlet of the oven, which guarantee the optimal distance to the assembly depending on its height.
Figure 3 shows an example of the savings achieved for an assembly 244 mm wide, 305 mm long and 7 mm high: at 500 ppm residual oxygen, approx. 27 % and at 1000 ppm approx. 20 % of the nitrogen is saved.
The awards ceremony brought together industry leaders, innovators and professionals to celebrate the latest technological advances and achievements in electronics manufacturing. “We are honored to receive the Mexico Technology Award for our patented mechatronic curtain for convection soldering systems,” said Luis García, Managing Director of Rehm Thermal Systems Mexico. “This award is a testament to how hard our team has worked to develop a more efficient system for our customers.”
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
Nolan’s Notes: Is Mexico the Pulse of Electronics in the Americas?
11/04/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesLast year, I attended SMTA Guadalajara, where I saw the results of the Mexican investment in electronics manufacturing. The U.S. was still operating under the Biden administration, and while Mexican EMS companies had expanded capacity to support EV manufacturing, the demand dropped significantly. In my conversations at the show, the sentiment was one of patience. They knew the EV business would likely come back. However, they didn’t expect an overhaul of U.S. trade agreements and tariffs that would shift a more diversified portfolio in Mexico’s direction.
SMT007 Magazine November 2025: Inside Mexico’s Rise as an Electronics Manufacturing Leader
11/04/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamMexico isn’t just part of the electronics manufacturing conversation—it’s leading it. From growing investments to cross-border collaborations, Mexico is fast becoming the center of electronics in North America. In this issue, we uncover why Mexico is earning global recognition. From top-ranked manufacturing capabilities to expanding partnerships that reach far beyond the U.S.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/31/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Last week, the IMPACT conference took place in Taipei, bringing together advanced packaging experts from around the globe to share their knowledge. We’ll be bringing you post-conference coverage over the next few weeks, so look for that in our newsletters, and in the Advanced Electronic Packaging Digest. Other news seemed to have the U.S. at the center of the global discussions. My picks start in Phoenix, where TSMC, NVIDIA, and Amkor are all scrambling to establish new capabilities. There’s nothing like a strong demand signal to cause build-out, and AI chips are doing exactly that.
Electronics Industry Warns Mexico Tariffs Could Undercut U.S. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience
10/24/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationAs negotiations over U.S.–Mexico trade policies near an October 29 deadline, the Global Electronics Association released a new policy brief, From Risk to Resilience: Why Mexico Matters to U.S. Manufacturing.
Rehm Wins Mexico Technology Award for CondensoXLine with Formic Acid
10/17/2025 | Rehm Thermal SystemsModern electronics manufacturing requires technologies with high reliability. By using formic acid in convection, condensation, and contact soldering, Rehm Thermal Systems’ equipment ensures reliable, void-free solder joints — even when using flux-free solder pastes.