Firstronic Installs Third CX Model Inline Vapor Phase Reflow System from IBL Technologies

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IBL Technologies, LLC announces that Firstronic LLC, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, has installed its third CX Model Inline Vapor Phase Reflow system.

“Firstronic is pleased to add another IBL Vapor Phase reflow oven to our plant in Mexico,” said John Sammut, Firstronic’s CEO and President. “This expanded capability is intended to support the capacity required for several new programs that are ramping up in volume production this year. We have had a great experience with the IBL machines and we plan on continuing to invest in this technology.”

Firstronic LLC provides advanced electronics manufacturing services and optimized supply chain solutions for companies in a wide range of industries including automotive, industrial and medical device. Firstronic has a 35,000 ft2 facility, state-of-the-art equipment and a seasoned management team with an average tenure of 20 years’ experience. The company also operates a 70,000 ft2 facility in Juarez, Mexico, and supports companies in need of access to global manufacturing locations via operations in China, India and the Czech Republic.

Victor Contreras, Firstronic’s Director of Engineering, located in Juarez, states: “The vapor phase process helps reduce voids and is preferred for BGAs. We do double-sided reflow on BGAs, microBGAs and C4 devices. Because of the very low ∆t, we do not see some of the common problems associated with trying to reflow large boards in a convection oven.”  

IBL’s CX600/CX800 is a fully automated inline vapor phase soldering solution. It provides precise, high-quality results at medium- to high-volume throughput. The machines feature a standardized SMEMA interface for easy inline integration. Features include:

• 20 sec. or less cycle time capability
• Carrier sizes from 680 x 650 x 80 mm to 825 x 650 x 80 mm
• Fully automatic inline operation
• Two independent stations for loading and unloading carriers
• Loading and unloading conveyors with buffer function
• Three internal process chambers with automatic airlocks
• Lowest energy and fluid consumption with energy management system

Additionally, Contreras said, “Changeover efficiency is far greater than with convection because there are fewer profiles and switching from one to another only takes a few minutes vs. the wait time for a convection oven to stabilize. An additional interesting feature is that the condensation and evaporation cycles leave the solder joints with a clean, shiny appearance, similar to the older water wash processes. Our team has more than 10 years’ experience with IBL Vapor phase systems and continues to be satisfied with the process results and the ongoing overall system improvements.” 

About R&D VaporTech   

R&D VaporTech, a subsidiary of IBL Technologies, LLC, prides itself on delivering the highest quality highest value vapor phase reflow and rework equipment in the world. With the company’s innovative designs and unsurpassed quality and customer support, R&D VaporTech continues to lead the industry in vapor phase technology. For more information, visit www.rdvaportech.com.