Overview:
• Designed Specifically for Rework of High Thermal
Mass Components on Large, High Complexity PCB's

• Large Machine Footprint: 10' x 4.5' x 6.5' (LxWxH)

Quick Links:
Video - DIMM Removal
Video - Barrel Cleaning
PCBRM100 Rework Study
• Download Literature

 



 
 

 
 

Next Generation Solder Fountain Technology
Designed specifically for lead-free rework of plated-through-hole (PTH) components on large, high thermal mass assemblies. The PCBRM100 uses proprietary technology that significantly reduces copper dissolution.

Key Features/Benefits:
The 24" x 26" board carrier includes a pull-out feature to provide ergonomic loading/unloading of heavy boards (figure 1) and a tilt-up feature to allow operator access to the bottom of the board for fluxing and positioning bottom side supports (figure 2). The carrier is programmable in the "X" and "Z" axes and uses linear encoders for accuracy and repeatability. Spring-loaded carrier arms allow for thermal expansion of the large board during rework.

Tilt Up Carrier
Figure 1: Ergonomic Loading/Unloading Slide and Tilt-Up Board Carrier

Carrier Down
Figure 2: Board Carrier in Position

The EZ-Line alignment system features a down-looking digital camera with zoom lens mounted on a programmable "Y" axis that superimposes the image of the solder stack over the top of the board (figure 3). X/Y joystick-based controls (figure 4) are used to quickly and accurately align the component with the solder stack (figure 5). The desired rework position can be taught on-the-fly or stored in the program.

Unaligned
Figure 3: Unaligned

Joystick Controls
Figure 4: Joystick Controls

Aligned
Figure 5: Aligned

A 28" x 28" quartz composite top and bottom IR preheater (16Kw) with 25 watts per square inch heating density and independent temperature control provides rapid, uniform preheating of even the largest, most thermally challenging PCB's. The preheater panels have an extremely high radiant efficiency and do not depend on external reflectors. The top preheater panel has s programmable "Z" axis which allows the preheater to "sandwich" the PCB based on its topside topography, thereby creating a high-efficiency oven-like preheating effect (figure 6). A thermocouple attached to the PCB provides temperature-based preheating control for process repeatability.

Quartz Preheater
Figure 6: 28" x 28" Top and Bottom Preheater with Temperature-Based Preheating

The heart of the PCBRM100 is a cast iron solder pot with titanium pump components (figure 7). No coatings of any kind are used to handle the aggressive nature of lead-free solder alloys. The pot has a solder capacity of 90 pounds and is nitrogen inerted. An internal chambering system along with a servo-motor driven pump creates a laminar solder flow with extreme thermal uniformity across the wave (+/-2˚C). Quick change titanium solder stacks direct a flow of solder against the lead pattern of the component to be reworked (figure 8). The solder pot is programmable in the "Y" axis and has quick electrical disconnects so that the existing pot can be removed and replaced by a spare pot with a different solder alloy.

Solder Pot
Figure 7: Cast Iron Solder Pot with Servo-Motor Driven Pump and
Programmable "Y" Axis


Solder Stack
Figure 8: Titanium Solder Stack

 


What makes the PCBRM100 truly unique is the integrated Focused Convective top and bottom Heating systems (FCH). After the entire board is preheated, the PCB is moved to a position just above solder contact position. The programmable hot gas head brings the nozzle (figure 9) down and over the topside of the component to be reworked. The nozzle is fed by a 2Kw heater so it has the power needed to heat virtually any component regardless of size or thermal mass. A laser distance sensor (figure 10) automatically squares the nozzle to insure a correct fit over the component. Two (2), 7" convective heating blades focus heat on the bottom side leads. Each blade is fed by a 3.5Kw heating element and has a quick slide baffle that allows the heat from the blades to be sized to match the size of the lead pattern (figure 11).

Hot Gas Nozzle
Figure 9: Hot Gas Nozzle

Laser Distance Sensor
Figure 10: Laser Distance Sensor

Heating Blades
Figure 11: Universal Bottom Heating Blades

A typical removal process would be to preheat the entire board to 150˚C followed by a Focused Convective Heating (FCH) stage (figure 12) until all joints reach approximately 200˚C (as per the thermal profile) at which time the bottom side pins are immersed in solder for 10-20 seconds depending on the thermal mass of the component and PCB. Top and bottom side focused convective heating continues during solder immersion. Solder contact combined with FCH provides the maximum thermal transfer in the shortest possible time. The nozzle lifts automatically and the operator removes the component. This hybrid heating approach eliminates the requirement for 100% convective/IR heating as is done on BGA rework machines which reduces potential issues such as exceeding the maximum package temperature specifications, resin recession and board discoloration.

Convective Heating
Figure 12: Focused Convective Heating (FCH)

The PTH barrels can be cleaned immediately after the component is removed and the solder flow stops. The PCB remains in place over the solder stack with the bottom convective heating blades on. The component nozzle is replaced by the barrel cleaning nozzle (figure 13) which provides heat and vacuum to remove the solder in the barrels. The vacuum tip is made of a high temperature composite to prevent any abrasion of the pads or laminate (figure 14). A precision force sensor controls the initial touch off of the vacuum tip on the board. A vacuum sensor automatically and continuously adjusts the tip height providing non-contact barrel cleaning. Dual digital cameras provide the operator with multiple viewing angles during the cleaning process (figure 15).

Barrel Clean Nozzle
Figure 13: Barrel Cleaning Nozzle

Barrel Cleaning
Figure 14: Barrel Cleaning Heating Tube and Composite Vacuum Tip

Dual Cameras
Figure 15: Dual Digital Cameras for Barrel Cleaning

The replacement process typically duplicates the removal process where FCH occurs until the joints reach 200˚C at which time the bottom side leads are immersed in solder. However, instead of the nozzle lifting and the operator removing the component, the nozzle remains in place over the component while it is soldered in place. Using FCH in this fasion eliminates the solder contact time typically required to bring the component through an extended soak stage during both the removal and replacement processes. The reduction in solder contact time results in reduced copper dissolution. In addition, topside FCH during the replacement process improves barrel fill by providing a heated upward path for the solder to flow.

Specifications
• Machine Dimensions: 120"L x 52"W x 77"H
• Maximun Board Size: 24" x 26"
• Solder Pot Capacity: 90 pounds
• Preheater Size: 28" x 28" (top and bottom)
• Maximum Component Size: 8"
• Top Side/Bottom Side Clearance: 3"
• Reflow Access: 24"(X) x 16"(Y)
• Thermocouple Channels: 8

Available Certifications (additional fee)
• ETL
• CE

Facility Requirements
Electrical
• Machine Power: 208-240 VAC, 50/60Hz, 3-phase, 60 amps
• Monitor Power: 220V, provided by convenience plug on machine
• Computer Power: 220V, provided by convenience plug on machine

Electrical: IMPORTANT
• This system is designed to operate on 220 VAC, 3-phase
• Under full load conditions, power must not drop below 208 VAC. Verify all 3 phases.
• Under no load conditions, power must not exceed 240 VAC. No load is defined as PCBRM100 off and all other equipment down line turned off.
• In areas susceptible to frequent power disturbances, line filtering/protection may be required.

Air/Nitrogen (Base Machine)
• Main Air Supply: 90-120 psi, 25 scfm, clean, dry air
(non-condensing) source.

General: These requirements must be addressed prior to the installation and training visit.
This will assure you receive a productive training program within the scheduled installation time.

Technical Data Subject to Change.