RPI Advantages

1、Process Traceability for each PCB

2、Management Data for Reflow Quality and Throughput

3、Reduced Production Costs

4、Process Quality Management – Regardless of Personnel, Equipment or Location

5、Automated Continuous Profiling

The Ultimate Reflow Oven Process Output

A reflow oven is a very busy machine striving to control multiple variables while heating and cooling PCBs. The purpose of the oven, however, is very simple.
A. To a specific PCB profile
B. To maintain required throughput.
The KIC RPI optimizes both of these outputs while sharing the data on a continuous basis with the authorized personnel.

PCB Profile Traceability 

The RPI utilizes embedded sensors for heat and conveyor speed to automatically measure and display the following information:
PCB profile
Profile’s “fit” to the process window
Continuously displayed production details
#PCBs produced
Product name and lot ID
Production date and time stamp
Oven name
PCB reflow profile for oven traceability
SPC & Cpk ts
Statistics of defects and process yields
Pareto t on out of spec occurrences
 
The RPI features include:
Profile optimization software
Barcode reading software
Remote Process Monitoring software
Alarm Relay
Light Bar

Fail-Safe Operation

There are numerous opportunities for mistakes and defects to occur in the reflow process. Human errors include loading the wrong oven program or loading the wrong PCBs. The RPI’s bar code capability prevents such mismatch.
Another common defect occurs when the process drifts out of spec or out of control. The RPI will immediately alert the responsible personnel of such occurrences and can shut down the infeed conveyor if desirable.
SPC ts will alert the engineer of upcoming trouble, typically when the reflow oven is still operating within spec.

Bottom Line

The RPI indexes the single most important output of a reflow oven, namely how well the PCB reflow profile conforms to the required spec. This index is independent of type of oven, PCB type, personnel, and even geographical location. The profile index along with yield and production data is shared with the responsible personnel in such a way that the production ovens can maintain an efficient operation. The RPI is designed to improve production quality by ensuring that each and every PCB is processed in spec. The RPI will reduce cost through improved uptime, reduced scrap and rework, and minimize labor input.