EI Microcircuits Leverages ECD's Suite of Measurement Technologies to Ensure Robust Thermal Processes

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High-mix, medium-volume contract manufacturer, EI Microcircuits specializes in high-quality design, engineering and production of PCBs used in the industrial controls, medical and government sectors. With diverse and multiple jobs running throughout the Southern Minnesota-based EMS firm’s three facilities, ensuring tight reflow soldering processes is critical to high-yield and cost-effective manufacturing. For this important assembly process, EI Microcircuits relies on ECD’s M.O.L.E. thermal profiling and OvenRIDER® technologies.

“Our M.O.L.E. thermal profilers and OvenRIDERs are easy to use and keep our process in control,” explains EI Microcircuits’ Manufacturing Engineer, William Kramlinger, who notes that the company has relied on ECD’s thermal measurement tools for nearly two decades.  “Operators, technicians and engineers use these systems daily and they have allowed us to be faster with new product introductions and verification of in-spec systems to avoid unnecessary changeovers, which cost time and money.”

ECD’s suite of M.O.L.E. thermal profilers are easy-to-use, yet robust and data-rich thermal measurement tools that offer unique user benefits such as thermal profile storage of up to 96 profiles, a patented “OK” button that gives quick confirmation of thermal profile to spec alignment and a brand new Recipe Generator function that provides an initial recipe with three simple inputs.   The company’s OvenRIDER technology seamlessly integrates with M.O.L.E. systems and delivers fast and accurate verification of oven performance to maximize yields, save time and help control oven stability. 

“These tools are key parts of our everyday production routines,” adds Kramlinger. “We run an OvenRIDER through each of our ovens prior to starting production for the day.  The system is easy to use and provides good data for day to day use, as well as detailed analysis when we need it.  Having the oven performance data is critical not only for an in-spec process, but also for general recording and customer audit requirements.”

In addition to the reliable performance EI Microcircuits has experienced with ECD’s technologies, the company also appreciates the top-notch service it has received from the ECD team.  “We needed to do a quick repair on one of the OvenRIDER thermocouples recently,” says Kramlinger.  “ECD shipped the parts that afternoon and the OvenRIDER was running the next morning.  The ECD team is one of the most highly responsive groups I’ve ever worked with.  Support like that is hard to find and it’s a large reason we’ve been an ECD customer for many, many years.”

About ECD

Founded in 1964, ECD is recognized worldwide for its leadership and expertise in thermal monitoring and analysis technology and, more recently, for its development of intelligent dry storage systems.  Based in Milwaukie, Oregon, the company is a pioneer in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced in-transit thermal profiling systems and software used to monitor and analyze process temperatures in various industries including electronics, solar and baking, among others.  Well-known for its data-rich software expertise and robust hardware functionality, ECD leads the industry for innovative measurement and safeguarding systems.