Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design SMT Electronics Assembly Manufacturing Forum

Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design Forum

SMT electronics assembly manufacturing forum.


8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven

Greg D

#31087

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 26 October, 2004

Hi,

I'm planning to get a new oven. I wanna know the advantages and disadvantages of each oven type over each other. I'm being told to go for an 8 zone oven.

thanks for your help.

regards,

reply »

Simon UK

#31088

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 26 October, 2004

> Hi, > > I'm planning to get a new oven. I wanna > know the advantages and disadvantages of each > oven type over each other. I'm being told to go > for an 8 zone oven. > > thanks for your > help. > > regards,

Depends really if you want a dual cooling zone with nitrogen capability, but then if money is no object go for the 'Porsche' of all ovens.

Omniflow 7 (or 8) cannot remember the total oven name is one i have used in the past for 3.5 years and we never maintained it once except for lube of the chains, had the flux reservoir full, but other than that totally 100% reliablity. (Just make sure the extraction is the right levels from BOTH exhaust stacks!)otherwise you will have only one side of the board flowing =).

Larger ovens offer you the ability to match the placement line output if your running large volumes i.e. 1 panel 30 secs to 1 minute, its a matter of justification.

Im stuck with a Quad ZCR at the moment and would kill for a better oven (I still cannot achieve the recommended profile for the paste!).

Well good luck! Simon UK

reply »

KEN

#31104

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 26 October, 2004

More zones = higher thruput.

Is it better to have (8) 12 inch zones vs. (7) 15 inch zones? One thought might be more parts = more cost = more potential for failure.

I have a bunch of BTU's with over 12,000 heating hours of combined opertion. I have not replaced one single part in the heating tunnel. No blowers, thermocouples, heaters. Nothing. That's impressive.

Oh and watch out for the sales talk of "life time warranty on blowers and heaters". You may want to ask WHY that would be necessary.

reply »

marc

#31111

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 27 October, 2004

This has always been a big debate on what is better.

Few things to consider before getting into number of zones. What is the throughput and cooling requirements?

Throughput is a direct relation to length of heating zone. Longer heating length, faster speed, leads to higher throughput since all ovens are still tied to the paste spec for heating. Typical 7/8 zone ovens will all run around 95-105" for heating length so the throughput is realtivly the same.

As far as cooling, the longer length, the better exit board temp.

For number of zones. This is a matter of preference. If the heating lenght is the same. One oven with 7 zones and the other with 8 then each indiviudal zone will be shorter in the 8 zone oven. This seems like and advantage at first but when you get into shorter zones there is more cross talk between the zones that generaly leads to more turbulence which then can lead to poor heat transfer, lower zone to zone segregation, and higher N2 consumption. Of course the other side of the thought process is more profile control.

Focus on your throughput requirment and then gather profiles from selected suppliers for system performance using a "golden board." Make sure you check into the "soft" items of a supplier also. How is service? Spares? Tech and Apps support? Local Rep or Dist support?

Good Luck

reply »

#31162

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 30 October, 2004

From an operators stand point there really is no difference. I think what I work with now is a 7 zone and I have worked with 8 and 5 zone BTU ovens. The only difference I can really tell is on the 8 zone oven we had less bridging at the end. If you run with lots of fine pitch, or ex-fine, or with BGAs it might be best to go with more zones but if not save the money. Megan

reply »

Chunks

#31215

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 3 November, 2004

This is easy! More zones means bigger process window and more thru-put depending on board size. More zones is always a good thing unless you're stapped for floor space. Just remember - the bigger the oven, the more it gets blammed for process problems (that's called ironic humor).

reply »

zzikester

#31256

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 8 November, 2004

If your in the UK call Contax 01489 885808, they sell the Omniflos and they will answer your questions.

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @

reply »


Rob

#31301

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 10 November, 2004

Contax are not always the most responsive of companies in the UK.

Besides, you get a lot more for your money with BTU Pyramax's or Vitronics Soltec and very good service.

reply »

Grayman

#31384

8 Zone Vs 7 Zone Reflow Oven | 15 November, 2004

I would highly recomend an 8 zones (top and bottom heaters) oven as it has better flexibility than 7 zones. However, I would also would like to check for the heated length. Some oven has many zones but the heated length is small.

Arman

reply »

convection smt reflow ovens

Reflow Oven