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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.”
