Product category:
PCB Assembly Equipment and Tools
News Release from: OK International | Subject: PCT-1000
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 27 March 2008
Preheater delivers more heat to
difficult boards
Ideal for high thermal demand applications such as lead-free, multilayer boards and large ground planes, the PCT-1000 improves process efficiency and control.
The PCT-1000 programmable preheater from OK International equips users with the ability to deliver more heat to difficult boards while maintaining very high levels of thermal control and lower operating temperatures Ideal for high thermal demand applications such as lead-free, multilayer boards and large ground planes, the PCT-1000 improves process efficiency and control
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 7 Aug 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Soldering, desoldering and SMD rework operations benefit with improved process speeds and greater control when incorporating the new PCT-1000 programmable preheater.
This benchtop system delivers forced convection heat that can be controlled with four time and temperature zones and an additional cooling zone.
The PCT-1000 also provides a thermal boost for boards that demand heat due to large ground planes, multiple layers or lead-free solders.
Further reading
Benchtop solutions come to Brighton
Visitors to OK International's stand at Nepcon can expect to see the latest developments in benchtop technology for hand soldering, optical inspection, fume extraction and array package rework.
Hand soldering with lead free alloys
As companies start to implement lead free soldering processes, hand soldering and associated techniques have been identified as key functions in the manufacturing process requiring R&D.
Bargain offer for fume extraction system
OK International is offering manufacturers a one-off opportunity to purchase a powerful, high performance process fume extraction system at a significant 25% reduction.
This added heat capacity offers an additional benefit of allowing operators to use soldering, desoldering and SMT rework hand tools with lower operating temperatures, avoiding the undesirable and often damaging, high temperatures.
The PCT-1000 features an "external" thermocouple input.
This mode of operation can be used for precise control of output temperature based on the board or component temperature.
For example, an application may require output not to exceed a specific temperature in order to prevent bottom-side reflow of components.
A Type K thermocouple can be attached to a component, or PCB site, to provide target temperature feedback control to the PCT-1000 and therefore prevent exceeding the maximum temperature at the board.
The thermocouple input feature can also be used as a process monitor where the temperature of up to two sites on the PCB can be displayed.
This feature provides thermal data and facilitates fast, efficient process set-up parameters.
The PCT-1000 has a unique heater design that creates a convection vortex, effectively concentrating heat where it is most needed.
This allows the system to heat more efficiently while operating at lower wattage.
The system can be operated in either manual mode, where the output temperature is held constant and the user determines the time for heating or a programmable automatic mode where the temperature and time can by independently varied creating thermal profiles.
Up to 50 thermal profiles can be stored in the PCT-1000.
To complement the PCT-1000, OK International offers a new, optional board holder.
The BH-1000 board holder is designed for fast and easy configuration.
It consists of two independent post-rail assemblies.
These assemblies can be positioned as close as 12mm or as far apart as the user desires.
Each post-rail assembly is 300mm long and has a 30mm height adjustment.
Even more, the rails can be removed from the posts and the post can be used with tapered pins that are included in a kit to function as either a board support or as stand-alone board holders.
"The PCT-1000 programmable preheater is a cost-effective, technically responsible approach for high thermal demand applications", says Jay Boyd, OK International Global Product Manager.
"If operators are struggling with a requirement for more heat from their hand tools, they should not have to resort to increasing soldering tip temperatures, trading-off process control to maintain process speed".
"The PCT-1000 provides an alternative where a greater volume of heat enables the operator to maintain process speeds at safe temperatures". Request a free brochure from OK International ...
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