Spotlight on Ovens for SMT Production

Ovens are a vital part of the production process for SMT production so we know how important it is to invest in the right solution for your business and your boards.

Whether you are just starting out and looking for an oven with a small footprint, or looking for a full inline solution, we have a selection of ovens to choose from. Offering both convection and vapour phase ovens, Hawker Richardson works with a range of leading suppliers to ensure we cater for your needs, whether you need to focus on optimal throughput or achieve maximum quality with boards for critical applications.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1) Convection or Vapour Phase?

Whether you choose convection or a vapour phase oven, it depends completely on your application and the specifics of your requirements. This can include (but is not limited to): board size, board components, type of paste, throughput, and accuracy.

2) Is it worth investing in additional zones?

We always recommend you consider both your immediate requirements and the boards / projects you may have in the future.  If you have the budget, it is worth investing in an oven with slightly more capabilities to future-proof the asset.

3) What is CBS and why do I need it ?

CBS or Center Board Support will prevent wide or heavy PCBs from sagging during reflow. During a lead-free process, the temperatures are slightly higher than on a traditional leaded profile.  Given that glass transition point of most FR4 material is around 130 degrees Celsius, this can cause issues on PCBs. With minimal copper between the layers, especially on thinner PCBs, this can lead to sagging of the PCB This can be an issue when doing a second pass through the printer as the FR4 will hold the shape of a sagged PCB.

The CBS system is controlled via the individual programs on the machine and can be set to be up or down depending on PCB width/weight complexity. One thing to remember when using the CBS is that you will need to consider having a clear strip down the centre of the PCB for double sided PCBs where you may have components mounted on the bottom side already.

4) Should I choose a Convection or Vapour Phase Reflow system?

Choosing between vapour phase reflow and convection is not an easy choice to make. We have tried to name a few reason why you might choose one over the other. Vapour phase ovens and Convection, as you can see, come in Benchtop/Standalone and inline formats. The choice and reason to choose one over the other is detailed here:

• Low volume/High end: Defence/Space work – An IBL Vapour Phase would be the choice
• Low volume/Low cost work –  Small Vapour Phase benchtop would be a good solution
• Minimal to zero voiding required on high end work, look at a Vapour Phase or a Vacuum Vapour Phase system
• Mid volume production on a budget, a small inline convection would be a good choice
• High volume production with 2-3 Pick & Place machines in the line, a Heller 1809-1913 Lead free convection reflow would be oven of choice
• High volume, high end product, again with high speed mounters, consider a Voidless Convection oven for ultimate low voiding