May 05, 2003 The latest version of the SoldaPro Wizard thermal profiling software (formerly available from Multicore Solders as SoldaPro Oracle) makes determining optimum reflow profiles and corresponding oven settings easier than ever.
The user simply attaches the thermocouple probes of a Concoat Systems SoldaPro thermal profiler (or data logger) to an assembly, and runs it through an oven, and the SoldaPro Wizard will reveal the exact zone settings for the optimum profile of that PCB and its components, without any form of guesswork.
All SoldaPro Wizard needs is two or three initial profile runs for either a new oven, or an existing oven whose thermal characteristics have suddenly changed (for instance due to repair maintenance or thorough internal cleaning).
It will by then have an intimate knowledge of precisely how the oven behaves and further runs will generally yield little or no appreciable difference in prediction accuracy.
Another major benefit of SoldaPro Wizard is that its predicted settings will also immediately identify and compensate for faulty reflow characteristics.
This is because its forecasting is based on continuous learning and monitoring of the actual thermal characteristics of an oven.
SoldaPro Wizard is being demonstrated during the show as part of the Smart Group lead-free hands-on experience.
Concoat Systems has further expanded and enhanced its CM range of contamination testers (Contaminometers).
These are used to perform extract cleanliness solvent extracted conductivity (SEC), or resistance of organic solvent extracted (ROSE) testing to measure ionic contamination levels on bare boards, components and loaded assemblies.
Ionic contamination can dramatically affect long-term reliability in the field.
SEC testing can be used to detect such contamination before, during and after manufacture (including cleaning and final assembly).
In this way process stability can be maintained and manufacturing stages where most ionic contamination is being introduced can be identified.
This allows manufacturers to rectify ionic contamination problems before they result in an end-of-line - and ultimately field - product failure.
The range includes the CM11 (formerly available from Multicore Solders) and its immediate cousin the CM12 that lay at the heart of the new CM series range.
These are entry-level Contaminometers and process monitoring tools that are competitively priced, have a compact desktop size, high accuracy, ultra fast test cycle speed, a pass/fail response, and can be successfully operated by non-technical personnel.
Both can be linked to a PC or laptop and enable users to rapidly establish - usually within 3 to 5min - whether a manufacturing process is within or outside an ionic contamination quality control spec.
They also exploit a 'dynamic' contamination test procedure where an isopropanol and water test solution is continuously passed over a test sample and then regenerated for re-use.
The use of a relatively small 3.5 litre tank of test solution supplemented by high quality internal pumps and resistivity measurement cells that yield the exceptionally fast test cycle time while retaining the space efficiency of a desktop design.
At the top of the new range is the CM80 combined cleaning and ionic contamination cleanliness test system.
This can simultaneously clean and test as many as 20 to 30 assemblies to a preset cleanliness level, usually within 2min.
This makes the CM80 dramatically faster than any other comparable ionic extract cleanliness test system.
All CM series testers measure ionic cleanliness in accordance with IPC, DEF-STD, ANSI-J-STD and other major international specifications.
Concoat has engineered a revolutionary water-based conformal coating addition to its industry-leading Humiseal range that can protect electronics assemblies at temperature extremes far beyond the capabilities of existing resin-based alternatives.
This product will be especially relevant to the automotive industry where upper performance limits are ideally rated at 180C for engine bay electronics.
As water-based coatings, the 1H20 series are also extremely environment-friendly products that are intended to meet with the drive in Europe to reduce VOCs.
The performance characteristics of Humiseal 1H20 stem from a totally new water-based chemical formulation that was engineered by Concoat and took over a year of dedicated R and D effort to produce.
Not only are the performance attributes of 1H20 in temperature extremes superior to most other coatings, it also delivers a general performance level that far exceeds that of other water-based coating materials.
1H20 is both safe and easy-to-use, it has a superior 8kV breakdown voltage that is higher than conventional resin, it is extremely flexible and offers excellent chemical and mar resistance, and is repairable.
And by being nonhazardous and low odour, it greatly reduces the demands on fume extraction equipment.
Like all Concoat Humiseal products, the coating was tested to performance levels far beyond that achieved by other coatings and forms a natural extension to the extensive development work that Concoat channelled into its Synergie range of process-compatible assembly materials.
Concoat Systems Must II SE solderability tester is also being demonstrated during the Smart Group lead-free hands-on experience.
Concoat
www.concoat.co.uk
