26 - Global SMT & Packaging ~ Dacember 2008
dering,
Founded in 1996 to support the vapor reflow market, R&D Techni-
cal Services is thi
Technical
including S
leading source of vapor phase equipment. RED
swvices’ vapor phase systems are used in numerous markets
T solder reflow, selective component rework, lead free sol
ing, drying, mechanical attachment, plastic package testing
and more. Trevor Galbraith, Global SMT & Packaging’s editorinchief,
recently spoke with R&D Technical Services president David Suihkonen
about the renewed interest in vapor phase technology.
(Over the past year, R&D Technical Services has been
focused on two front. First, we have been workin
closely with some of our high-volume customers t0
enhance our inline capability for reflow. This work:
led ust the ewlution of the RD32 inline vapor phase
reflow oven, which won a few industry award cariers
this year. With adjustable pin chain conveyors, contin
‘ous throughpur, multistage preheat and easyeoae
controls this machine san excellent replacement for
the traditional convection evens, making vapor phase a
superior choice forthe inline reflow process
Second, we have been very focused on bringing the
advantages of va
phase to the s
rework environment. This development proved succes
tive component
ful in solving many of the ues now facing the rework
ofthe industry
“The ViWorks 24 rework station brings a number of
benefits tothe
ik environment. One ofthe bigs
abi
temperature seen by the bo
cd and component.
Because the maximum reflow temperature i tied to
the boiling point of che fluid, iis impossible to over
heat the proxluct Le’ say yo
melts at 221°C. ¥
older that
‘would simply use a fluid with
230°C for rfl effectively closing the
ane window ta 9°C, This isthe same reason
that vapor phase reflow i gaining ground in the reflow
industy-the ability to limie the maximum temperature
‘STVIISLYH SHY
801S-Z22-998‘while stil attaining perfect reflow on all
sections ofthe produc
(Other key elements ae the uniformity
and repeatability of vapor phase and the
‘way it transfers heat. No longer ae you
required to deliver excessive amounts of
heat through IR or hor arto ger all portions
‘of the component to heat evenly, There i
no shadowing, reflection or deflection of
Inet in the vapor phase process.
Some ofthe isis facing the rework
industey today include excessive heat,
uneven heat and the migration ofthe heat
to other areas ofthe circuit board. Vapor
phase rework effectively solves these issues
Why is R&D Technical Services so
important tothe current electronics
industry? What do you provide that
competitors cannot?
‘Aside from the fat thae vapor phase is
‘product whose time has come, I think
RSD Technical Srvices has been successful
fora several reasons, namely quality, valve
and customer support. Ir stats by working
to build only the highest quality equipment
‘using only che highest quality material,
‘We then couple this with experience. Ray
‘Wille and Ihave mone than 50 years of
‘combined vapor phase experience-we
know what works.
Alter building a quality piece of
‘equipment, we eake our knowledge and
apply itto customer support treating every
‘eustomer with respect. We know a lange
portion of our busines ie from customer
referral and word of mouth, When your
name is on the product, you take your
reputation seriously. I think the reputation
‘of our pradits andl our company is wery
igh amonsst our customers fis oxe goal
AtRGD Technical
Services you've
gence of interest in
Toaedovan Mission Possible.
credit this revival?
A number of factors Versatility that beats compleaity.
have contributed,
Leadree solder hat
certainly played
role. The higher
melting points of
lead-free solder
have forced many
reflow methods
ico uncomfortably
high eomperarures.
Unable to transfer
het as effectively
and consistently as
vapor phase, they
are forced i some
instances to push,
‘maim temperse
rues to umaccepe
able level. They are
simply unable to
close the window
bewecn reflow and
‘peak temperatures
as efficiently a6
PHILIPS
Its not just a promise, its a fact!
Assembleon
vapor phase, which
can place reliability and consistency at rick,
would sey more difficule components
and board architecture also have played a
part, More densely populaed hoards and
‘mote demanding components lend
themselves to otch easier teow vsing
vapor phase and its condensation method
“This is the same reason that vapor
phase reflow is gaining ground in the
reflow industry—the ability to limit
the maximum temperature while still
attaining perfect reflow on all sections
of the product.”
to keep ie that way. At R&D Technical
Services, customer support isnot just tag
ling, ic 62 way of ie, and I think even in
today's world people take note ofthat.
cof beat transfer
‘Vapor phase ovens have evolved as well
with beter controls, beter containment,
higher quality construction and, quite
frankly, more interest by the industry in
taking an unbiased evaluation ofa mature
success proces.
feel all these factors have played a
part inthis vapor phase resurgence.
How docs the rest of 2008 and into 2009,
look for R&D Technical Services!
Projections ate always part science, part
‘black magic and pare guess work. Right
‘pow, R&D Technical Services on tack
for 2008 tobe its best year eve. In the first,
half of 2008, we posted the best six-month
‘numbers in our [2-year history. With the
renewed interest in vapor phase, I expect
owt from 2009 as wll
‘Asa company, we will continue to
‘expand our reach, pushing into more
‘emerging economies and strengthening
‘our postion in regions where we are
already strong. We will continue to be the
leader in developing new approaches and
applications for vapor phase, and will work
to make our vapor phase rework station
an influential player inthe rework market
RED Technical Services will continue
to be the best at what we do from high:
‘quality, highwalue equipment to hands-on
‘customer support
‘SIVIAILYH SAY
Wer Hr Ary amr
801LS-ZL2-998
www.glabalemt.net
‘Global SMT & Packaging - December 2008 - 27