KIC Press Release April 17, 2001 - KIC Process Window Index (PWI): Quick and Accurate Process Optimization

(San Diego, CA -- April 17, 2001) : The Process Window Index™ is a statistical method for instantly determining whether a thermal process is in or out of spec and ranking the profile based on its fit to a specified process window. KIC‘s development of this unique tool means that profiling tasks and reflow oven setup have been vastly simplified.

Until now, there has not been a method for comparing the performance of thermal profiles. Once a thermal profile is run, it is judged as being either in or out of spec, and perhaps subjectively judged as being OK, good, or really good. The Process Window Index allows users to rank process profiles on the basis of how well they "fit" the critical process statistics. The center of the Process Window is defined as zero, and the extreme edge of the process window as 99%. A PWI of 100% or more indicates that the profile will not process product in spec. A PWI of less than 99% indicates that the profile is in spec and tells users what percentage of the process window they are using. The Process Window Index tells users exactly how much of their process window a given profile uses, and thus how robust that profile is.

The Process Window Index is a key component of KIC‘s new KIC 2000 software platform, which supports the SlimKIC 2000 Thermal Profiler and the KIC Pilot Automated Reflow Oven Setup software. The PWI allows KIC to find the single best profile, among the billions of possible profiles, that a given process is capable of achieving. The single best profile is found in under a minute, saving users significant amounts of time in reflow setup and changeover. With the PWI, users can implement a "true" SPC program for the reflow process with a minimum of effort. Utilizing the PWI, KIC technology offers users enhanced equipment utilization, more efficient staff allocation, and reduced training expenses. The bottom line is that KIC offers Innovation That Works™.

About KIC
Based in San Diego, KIC is the industry leader in automated thermal management tools and systems for reflow, wave, cure and semiconductor thermal processes. The company pioneered the development of oven profilers and process development tools. KIC remains on the leading edge of the thermal industry with innovative tools for process development, optimization and real-time management.