Hot Bar Reflow Soldering and Bonding Power Supplies

How Pulsed Heat Power Supplies Work

During a pulsed heat process, electrical current passes through the thermode, generating resistance heat at the tool. A thermocouple monitors thermode temperature and provides feedback to the power supply, which adjusts energy delivery to maintain the programmed heating profile.

A typical process cycle includes:

• Heating: Current rapidly heats the thermode to the programmed process temperature.
• Temperature Control: Closed-loop feedback regulates energy delivery according to the programmed time-temperature profile.
• Cooling: Current is stopped and the joint cools under pressure before the thermode is lifted.

Unlike a continuously heated tool, the thermode is heated and cooled for each process cycle. This concentrates heat at the joint for the required period while limiting unnecessary thermal exposure to surrounding components.

Programmable Process Control

AMADA WELD TECH pulsed heat power supplies provide programmable control of the heating cycle, allowing time-temperature profiles to be developed for specific parts, materials, and joining requirements.

Capabilities include:

• Closed-loop temperature feedback and control
• Programmable time-temperature profiles
• Storage of up to 63 heating profiles
• Remote programming capability
• User interface for process setup and control
• Built-in or remote transformer configurations

Stored profiles allow manufacturers to establish repeatable process settings for different parts and applications.

Applications for Pulsed Heat Power Supplies

Pulsed heat power supplies provide thermal process control for:

• Hot bar reflow soldering
• ACF bonding and laminating
• Heat seal bonding
• Heatstaking
• Thermocompression bonding

Typical applications include flex circuits, ribbon cables, wires, flex-to-PCB connections, flex-to-LCD connections, and gold ribbon thermocompression bonding.

Power Supplies for Hot Bar Systems

The power supply works together with the bonding head and thermode to control the hot bar joining process. The power supply regulates thermode temperature and heating time, while the bonding head provides the required force and positioning at the joint.

AMADA WELD TECH pulsed heat power supplies can be incorporated into standard desktop equipment, custom integrated systems, and automated manufacturing equipment. Built-in and remote transformer configurations provide flexibility for different machine layouts and integration requirements.