Mar 23, 2026 KIC, a leader in thermal profiling solutions, announced that KIC® HeatMap™ has been named a Category Winner in Soldering - Process Control Tools in the 2026 Circuits Assembly New Product Introduction (NPI) Awards.
Part of KIC’s Thermal Analysis System (TAS) software platform, KIC® HeatMap™ extends traditional profiling hardware into continuous production monitoring between profile checks. Using an easy-to-install multi-thermocouple probe with brackets and KIC’s SPS or X5 profiler for data collection, HeatMap™ helps manufacturers monitor oven zone behavior during production and identify thermal drift or performance inconsistencies before they impact quality.
Thermal profiling is essential for NPI setup, process verification, and recipe optimization. However, between profiling events, subtle oven changes can develop without clear visibility. KIC® HeatMap™ closes this gap by giving process and manufacturing teams insight into oven performance—helping them detect changes sooner, respond faster, and maintain more consistent results in reflow and cure applications.
HeatMap™ combines a multi-thermocouple probe design with enhanced TAS analytics to track high/low zone variation trends, visualize changes in a live display, and generate alerts when oven tunnel or zone behavior shifts in ways that could affect product quality. Standard capabilities include the multi-thermocouple probe and brackets, TAS analytics display, alerting, and automatic data output. Optional light tower and audible alerts support factory-floor response.
By leveraging installed SPS and X5 profiler platforms, KIC® HeatMap™ provides a path to monitoring without replacing ovens or overhauling workflows. The result is stronger process control, faster diagnostics, improved oven health visibility, and greater utilization of existing profiling assets.
“HeatMap is an example of KIC’s Heat to Data® strategy in action,” said Miles Moreau, General Manager at KIC. “KIC® HeatMap™ helps manufacturers extend the same profiling investment used for NPI and process optimization into continuous oven health monitoring between profiles—improving drift visibility, troubleshooting speed, and protection of throughput and quality.”
Manufacturers using KIC SPS or X5 profilers can upgrade existing systems to support KIC® HeatMap™ and deploy monitoring through TAS. To learn more, visit kicthermal.com and speak with KIC about TAS / HeatMap deployment and SPS/X5 upgrade options.
To learn more, visit https://kicthermal.com.
KIC is a leading provider of thermal profiling and process control solutions. With a commitment to innovation and quality, KIC delivers cutting-edge technologies that help manufacturers enhance production efficiency, product quality, and sustainability.
KIC — Making Ovens Smarter®
