KIC Press Release March 13, 2000 - New SlimKIC 2000 Speeds Reflow Setup for Tin-Lead and Lead-Free Solder

(San Diego, CA -- March 13, 2000) : The new SlimKIC™ 2000 Thermal Profiler from KIC Thermal Profiling enhances real-time process control of reflow processing with both tin-lead and lead-free solder. The SlimKIC 2000 features advanced new hardware and powerful next-generation software to speed and simplify oven profiling. The addition of new KIC Navigator™ software also automates the oven setup process and ensures that the optimal profile is selected.

For lead-free applications, which require higher processing temperatures, the Navigator targets the appropriate profile to fit within the center of the smaller process window. The program enables the decision-making involved in reflow oven setup to be built into the oven‘s thermal monitoring system, so it is no longer dependent on operator input. The program eliminates the need for decision-making by operators who may have only minimal training.

The SlimKIC 2000 pass-through thermal profiler incorporates up to 12 thermocouples, including a new "air" thermocouple (Patent Pending), mounted on the leading edge of the board. This advanced new thermocouple eliminates the need for measuring or mapping and captures process temperatures more accurately, in less time than traditional profiling requires.

The powerful new user interface on the SlimKIC 2000 determines process acceptability instantly, using "traffic light" signals to provide information to operators. Red indicates that the profile is outside the process window; yellow alerts the user that the profile is close to the edge of acceptable specifications and green signals that the profile data is within the process window.

A built-in library of commonly used materials simplifies the complex task of defining the process window. For most applications, the operator simply selects a solder paste from a pull-down menu. The process window is defined automatically and out-of-spec conditions are flagged immediately. Authorized personnel may edit the process window as needed.

Two models of the SlimKIC 2000 are available. The Datalogger model allows data to be downloaded to the computer after the profiling run. The Dual Unit sends data to the computer via radio waves during the run. At the same time, it stores data internally for wireless downloading after the run, using KIC‘s exclusive new "data dump" feature.

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.