Assembly line update

[kylehunter]

Well I've been to Florida once and I couldn't live there, stepping out of the airport was like walking into a sauna (it was the afternoon right between 2 heavy rainstorms and humid as hell).
In our factory the static female workers have heaters despite a perfectly decent working temp that is in fact too warm if you're on your feet (as I am running the line), I reckon they'd love to work right next to the oven. I don't envy the sound of the space either, I'd consider our factory small and its almost 10 times yours.

LOL!

Yeah the heat gets pretty oppressive, hense why the HVAC has become quite an issue. Our next place is going to be around 4000 sqft, so definitely going to be much more spacious.

[Mangozac]

One possible solution I've seen is to have the oven in a separate, non climate controlled room, with a little slot in the wall where the conveyor passes through. Obviously such an approach is restricted by the layout of your building though.

[kylehunter]

Hey guys! We are looking to expand our operation in the next few months. Our main reason for expanding is to have a lead-free capable oven and a selective solder for through-holes. I really would like to keep the cost of this expansion low, until we get additional lead free and THT jobs to utilize the new machines. I will be getting the new equipment from the same used equipment distributor we got everything from before. The prices are a bit high, but the service we receive is worth it x100.

For the selective solder, there is an EBSO SPA400 that has a full lead-free pot for ~$10K.

For the oven, we have the choice of either a 2011 Vitronics Soltec XPM3i-820 for ~$20K or a 2001 Heller 1808EXL for ~$10K. It seems like we are a bit limited with oven selection as most seem to be 480V, and all we have is 240V.

So basically I have two questions:

1) Thoughts on the EBSO selective solder? I eventually plan on getting both a wave and selective, but right now we have some double-sided boards, so we need the selective first.

2) Is the Vitronics worth a $10k+ premium over the older Heller? Of course, it will be a better oven, but with the same amount of zones, at the end of the day, it's just an oven?

Being able to save that money on the oven will allow us to add a second pick and place sooner, so it definitely helps to save costs. We do a ton of prototype and super small batch runs, so planning on a MyCronic/MyData in the future.

Thanks as always!

[Reckless]

I would shop around for the oven.  You can save $6k+ if you check other auctions.  Vitronics gives less headache in terms of blowers going out. 240V is easily available. 

I never heard of EBSO (im not super knowledgable) but for $10k I would go for ace kiss/pillarhouse.  Why bother with wave?  Selective solder can replace it.

[compit]

Hello colleagues.
I am glad that I found this forum - I read SMTNET.com, but I did not find all the answers there. I will connect to the topic, because I see that you know the machines well.
I want to upgrade VIOS (or upload again) for Philips Topaz-X. I have version 2.13, I want to update to 2.17 (I found one). I'm supposed to do everything in turn, but after finishing the machine enters the "special" menu and claims that VIOS has not been updated. Anyone have any step-by-step guide?
PS I bought the machine from South Carolina

[compit]

Someone from colleagues had asked about feeders before - I have new Chinese CL (they are ok) and a lot of old used FV - they are comfortable, but almost indestructible.
Just disassembly, rinse at IPA, grease and assembly - 15 minutes of work. Parts for them (crooked studs, broken teeth, carrier belt clutches) will also be easily bought in China.

PS. Sorry for my englich

[fcb]

I would shop around for the oven.  You can save $6k+ if you check other auctions.  Vitronics gives less headache in terms of blowers going out. 240V is easily available. 

I never heard of EBSO (im not super knowledgable) but for $10k I would go for ace kiss/pillarhouse.  Why bother with wave?  Selective solder can replace it.

$10K for a NEW selective is (very) good.  Like Reckless, I haven't heard of EBSO either.

I'm familar with Pillarhouse (they're local) and their stuff is alright and does represent great value-for-money.  The Pilot is now their entry level unit.  Don't forget an N2 generator or dewar setup.  I saw an ACE Kiss sometime back - it reminded me of those 1930's iron lungs.

It will depend on how much and what type of THT you have on the board - but selective for low run (10's to low 100's at a time) is usually better than wave.  For absolute throughput of a wave can't be beaten though. Both may require custom carriers - again depending on your design.