SMT Thermal Profiler Slim KIC 2000 9 Channel For Reflow Oven Machine

Finding the Best Oven Recipe with the SlimKIC 2000 Using the Auto-Focus Software Option

SMT Thermal Profiler Slim KIC 2000 9 Channel For Reflow Oven Machine

Profiling Made Easy:

By automating the complex task of process set up the SlimKIC® 2000 makes profiling so easy

that any operator can quickly achieve the optimal process. Simply select from a

built-in library containing hundreds of commonly used solder paste specifications.

The software uses the paste supplier’s thermal profile specs to automatically

define the process window. Color-coded signals alert the operator to any out-of-

specification conditions.

Profiling Made Fast:

The SlimKIC 2000 features innovative, patent pending technology that virtually eliminates

the time consuming tasks traditionally associated with temperature profiling.

Oven zones and mapping of thermocouples on the product are automated. Process

acceptability is instantly determined, reducing the number of required profile runs and

minimizing production downtime.

Profiling Made Precise:

The SlimKIC 2000 simplifies profiling by reducing the process to a single number

— the Process Window Index™ (PWI) — so you know precisely how good your profile is.

The simplified user interface guides the operator through the profiling process,

minimizing the potential for improper oven set up and yield-reducing defects

Profiling Made Painless:

The SlimKIC 2000 takes the pain out of process set up for even the most

complex products and requirements — including the narrow process window imposed

by Lead-Free compliance. Eliminate the pain of Lead-Free transition from your

thermal process, while optimizing product quality and reliability.

KIC Navigator:

™The KIC Navigator option automates the optimization of your process set up.

Please see the KIC Navigator data sheet for additional information.

KIC Auto-Focus:

™The KIC Auto-Focus option eliminates the guesswork associated with initial

product set up. Auto-Focus includes KIC Navigator. Please see the Auto-Focus data

sheet for additional information.

Accuracy: ..................................±1.2°C

Resolution: ......Variable 0.3 to 0.1°C

Internal Operating Temp: .........0°C to 105°C

Thermocouple Compatibility: .. Type K, 9 or 12

TCsTemperature Range: ................-150°C to 1050°C

Computer Capability: ...PCPower Requirements: .9V alkaline battery

Thermal Receiver: 433.92 MHz

Dimensions:...See Temperature

Tolerance Chart below for specifications.

Datalogger Model: data is downloaded to the computer through a cable after the run.

Dual Unit Model: data is sent to the computer in real-time during the run. It is also stored internally for high-speed download after the run.

Note: The SlimKIC 2000 can interface directly with the oven

controller, eliminating the need for manual setpoint data entry. Please consult your oven

supplier for availability

Profiling Reduced to a Single NumberFor precise ranking of profile performance, the SlimKIC 2000 uses the Process Window Index (PWI). The PWI calculates how much of the available process window is used by a given profile in relation to its process specifications. Therefore, the lower the PWI, the more efficient and stable the process! (See the PWI data sheet for a detailed explanation)

Minimum System RequirementsDual Core / 1 GHz Processor PC with 2 GB RAM2 GB available storageVideo 1024 x 768 resolution / 16-bit1 available USB port (for data download)1 available USB port (for software key)Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista or 7. (32-bit or 64-bit)

Test Procedures

Listed below is the step-by-step procedure we followed in testing the SlimKIC 2000 with Auto-Focus. Note that we followed this procedure 40 times (20 different boards and 2 different ovens):

Input the length, width, and weight of the product. Auto-Focus determines the best first oven recipe. If there were not enough boards in the database for Auto-Focus to determine a best first recipe, we simply used the recipe that the oven was already running.

Attach thermocouples to the board and run it through the oven using the SlimKIC 2000 to record the thermal profile.

The PWI (Process Window Index) for the thermal profile is automatically calculated and the Navigator software tool automatically searches for the oven recipe that will provide the lowest PWI. If the actual PWI is less than 60% the oven is considered setup for the board. If the actual PWI is greater than 60%, but the Navigator can improve it by at least 20 percentage points, then use the Navigator oven recipe and go back to step 2.

Notice in the above procedure that the testers do not need to make any “decisions” during the testing. The SlimKIC 2000 and Auto-Focus specify the setpoint temperatures and conveyor speed to use, and we follow a simple set of rules to determine when the profile has been optimized. This simplifies the training of the testers because they do not need any understanding of the relationship between the oven settings (setpoint temperature & conveyor speed) and the profile statistics (peak temperature, maximum rising slope, time above reflow, etc.).

BTU Paragon 150

We started testing in the BTU Paragon 150. This is the more modern oven we used for our testing, built in September 2000.

Since this is our first board, the database was empty and Auto-Focus could not give us a “first guess” recipe for the first profile. We simply used the recipe the oven happened to be running. It took three profiles for the SlimKIC 2000 find an in spec oven recipe for this board:

Results from the three profiles that were required to get the first board in spec

From the above table, notice that the PWI of the first profile was 231%. Since we have to be below 100% to be in spec, this oven recipe is well out of spec. The Navigator then suggested an oven recipe that should lower the PWI to 52%. We let the KIC 2000 software automatically copy this suggested recipe into the BTU oven control software. We waited until the oven stabilized on this new oven recipe and then we ran a second profile. The second profile had a PWI of 102%. This time the Navigator found an oven recipe with a predicted PWI of 60%. We used the suggested recipe and ran a third profile. The resulting PWI was 67%. At this point we quit, happy that the KIC 2000 software had found an oven recipe that would process this board in spec.