Drying cabinets for SMT boards avoids component cracking
23 August 2006Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The new Mekko Technologies 'Active Desiccant' range of drying and storage cabinets was designed to guarantee the new class of quality and reliability standards required by surface mount devices and substrates.
By assuring moisture-free components, solder reflow can be achieved without damage from micro-cracking or delamination.
If moisture is absorbed from the environment by surface-mounted components, and then the components are exposed to high temperatures, as in solder reflow ovens (convection, infrared, IR/convection, vapour phase, hot air rework tools), then the absorbed moisture will expand rapidly, causing internal device stresses. This resulting stress can cause internal or external cracking, delamination, and internal corrosion.
Mekko Technologies' unique MTX-flow 'Active Desiccant' component drying and storage technology eliminates 'popcorning' and micro-cracking of ICs and BGAs during reflow. Rather than baking, this drying out of the components resets the 'floor life' clock, offering an optimal solution for storage and drying.
The drying unit is built into the base of the cabinet. With MTX-flow technology, the desiccant rotor rotates in two separate streams of air. One sector has air flowing through it within the cabinet (moisture absorb), while a smaller sector uses an external heated air flow to regenerate the desiccant (moisture release). As the disk rotates, fresh, dry desiccant is always presented to the process air flow.
Benefits of the system include:
* No need for moisture barrier bags, nitrogen or compressed air.
* Less complicated than baking.
* Reduces oxidation.
* Prevents 'popcorning' or other problems associated with ingress of moisture.
* Can use low temperature packaging.
* Closed loop control of internal humidity.
* No 'off' time. Desiccant is always absorbing moisture.
* Powerful molecular sieve type desiccant used.
Much research was done into the air flow, and the design uses a unique air flow system to guarantee speed, efficiency, and minimal cross-over at the wet/dry interface. According to the company, the only consumable costs are an average 50 W of mains power used. There is no need for any extra consumables or services to operate the unit. The rotor drying units continually regenerate the Zeolite desiccant that is used.
For more information contact EIS, +27 (0)11 726 6758.
High visibility 4-digit panel ammeters Electrocomp Express
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The MP-335PAS-1 is a 4-digit 7-segment red display ammeter with a measurement range of 4 to 20 mA and a very low power consumption.
Read more...Multi-channel SMPS cable assemblies RFiber Solutions
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Withwave’s multi-channel SMPS cable assemblies (WMCS Series) provide a wide range of multiple coaxial connectors and flexible cable assemblies with a choice of 26,5, 40, 50 and 67 GHz configurations.
Read more...Building the control panels of the future Omron Electronics
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The industrial automation world is built on robust and efficient control panels that are designed precisely and assembled to manage machines, processes and equipment across different industries.
Read more...What’s the big deal with DPL? Spectrum Concepts
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The dynamic performance layer (DPL) forms a key part of the construction of Nitrowave coaxial cables, Samtec’s range of high-performance RF solutions for microwave and mmWave applications.
Read more...The factory beat Electronic Industry Supplies
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Change is the only constant across today’s complex manufacturing landscape. The surge of digital transformation, spearheaded by Industry 4.0, has redefined how factories operate, build, and evolve.
Read more...Residues on PCBs – Causes and remedial measures Electronic Industry Supplies
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Soldering with wire and iron leaves process judgments up to individual operators, and can produce a wide variety of defects, scrap, or long-term quality issues.
Read more...Automated bed-of-nails tester Electronic Industry Supplies
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The system consists of a 12 V geared motor which drives a toothed segment of the drive unit’s coupling via a gear, providing a contact force of up to 1000 N and a service life of up to 500 000 load cycles.
Read more...AI domain-specific architecture Spectrum Concepts
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Designing a new product is often an exercise in priorities, carefully balancing a range of capabilities to obtain the best overall result.
Read more...DC to 40 GHz termination RF Design
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The TS400HM from Inmet by Spectrum Control is a 50 O termination that operates from DC to 40 GHz, and can handle an average input power of 1 W.
printer friendly version