Chip Hua – Your Equipment Supplier and a Solution Provider

Recently, we have come across a challenge where our standard Kilews screw fastening control equipment were unable to meet the project requirement of our customer – Flex Penang. After facilitating multiple meetings with Flex and Kilews, we concluded that the budget consideration of our customer does not align with Kilews’ resource allocation strategy, so it was not mutually beneficial for Kilews or Flex, for Kilews to provide a customized solution/product for the project.

But we can’t just let our customer have an unresolved problem, can we? Nor should we give up on the chance to push our supplier’s products into our customer’s plant.

Our team then worked closely with an external software engineering vendor to develop an interface that integrates with the Kilews standard screw counter, providing a cost effective solution for Flex. We’re happy to learn that the integrated solution worked really well, and will now be implemented plant wide within the next year.

Do you face a challenge in your production where existing tools/equipment are unable to meet your requirements? We’re always here to help!

Posted: 2 December 2024

Pace: Soldering, Desoldering and Rework Stations

Proudly made in the USA, Pace stations are highly regarded for their durability and reliability. They are utilized by the US Military and Department of Defense, as well as in US Federal Government Maintenance Depots. This speaks volumes about the reputation of the brand and its products.

Let’s dive into what makes Pace technologies different than its competitors.

Pace Technologies

AccuDrive – A closed-looped temperature management technology that continuously monitors tip temperature, providing instantaneous load sensing and on-demand power to quickly reflow solder joints at low and safe temperatures, that can be accurately set without the need to change cartridges or calibrate.

IntelliHeat – This is the only thermal control system with the capacity to manage multiple types of heating technologies within a single power source. The Pace SensaTemp or Tip-Heater Cartridge based technology handpieces can be attached to the IntelliHeat power source, so the work bench can be free of various power sources that would otherwise be required to cater to different job specifications.

SensaTemp – The SensaTemp consists of a laser trimmed platinum RTD sensor that is 5X more accurate than conventional thermocouples, allowing for safe and productive soldering at the lowest possible temperatures, and within the shortest time, minimizing the chances of damage. It also allows change of tips, heaters and handpieces without the need to recalibrate. Its ability to reach the desired temperature quickly makes it ideal for light work, while its large thermal capacity allows it to meet the demands of heavy thermal loads, making it a highly versatile equipment.

On top of their patented technologies, Pace station boasts highly intuitive user interface, allowing for ease of operation – very often with minimum training required, if at all.

Sounds great? Hop over to our dedicated page to Pace products to find out more.

Posted:18 October 2024

Best PCB Separators for Your Production Needs?

At Chip Hua, we distribute PBC separators from three different manufacturers to cater to different production requirements:

1. Elite Automation, Taiwan
2. Cab, Germany
3. Ebso, Germany

Here’s a quick look at what each has to offer, and their key differences.  

Elite Automation

1. Automated processes including dust collection, dust detection, alignment of the PCBs, and changing of tools.
2. Prevent breakage, damage or stress to components caused by manually bending or punching the plate.
3. Dust collection features prevent dust pollution within the production environment and prolong the lifespan of the equipment.
4. Features a CCD vision alignment system that automatically corrects alignment enhances cutting precision and efficiency.
5. Available in the in-line and off-line versions: the in-line versions are fully automatic, while the off-line versions are semi automatic, requiring a little more manual handling of the processes.
6. See Elite Automation’s range of PCB separators.     

Cab

1. Separates pre-scored PCBs quickly and economically without stress.
2. Starts with entry level model that requires PCB to be held at the blade for cutting (for small amounts of PCBs to be separated), to higher level model that can cut up to 15 PCBs at a time (for processing larger volumes of PBCs), or where a loader can be used in tandem to automatically fed the PBCs to the machine. Different programs/setting can be stored in the higher level models.  
3. Relatively manual process. But nonetheless has some motorized capabilities in certain models (e.g. motorized cutting blades) to assist the operator.
4. Does not come with automatic alignment system, or dust collector system.   
5. See Cab’s range of PCB separators.

Ebso

1. Similar to Cab’s PCB separators, requires a higher degree of manual operation.
2. Various models available to cater to different production volumes, PCB sizes, and if motorized or manual operation is preferred.
3. See Ebso’s range of PBC separators.

Choosing the PCB Separator for Your Production Requirement

Determine the scale of your operation, complexity of the job, size of your PCBs, and the budget set aside for the project to select the most suitable PCB separator for your requirements. Can’t decide what’s best for you? Contact us at sales@chiphua.com and let us help.

Posted: 4 October 2024

How to Choose a Dry Cabinet?

There are different types of dry cabinets available in the market – they control the environment/humidity within them to prevent stored contents from moisture related damage or oxidation.

But what are the key differences between the models available in the market, and which one will suit you best? Let’s take a look.     

Ultra Low Humidity Dry Cabinet

These low humidity cabinets are great for storing moisture-sensitive devices (MSDs) across various levels defined by IPC and JEDEC JSTD-033D standards.

They can maintain an internal humidity level without the use of nitrogen/dry air, vacuum or heat, and are the most cost effective/energy saving dry cabinets of the range available.

Depending on the model, humidity levels can be controlled at <1% or 5% RH. Some models even offer adjustable humidity controls.

Dry Air/N2 Cabinet

The N2/dry air cabinets rapidly reduce humidity and purge oxygen with the inflow of nitrogen to achieve a desired internal environment quickly. They work faster but are more expensive than the standard dry cabinets.

They are however crucial for storing components more sensitive to oxidation, or when the expected frequency of opening the cabinets is high. Dr. Storage’s N2 cabinets keep cost low by controlling the inflow of N2 – pausing the inflow when the desired relative humidity in the cabinet is reached. This saves an estimated 30~60% of N2.

Baking Dry Cabinet

Essentially the ultra low humidity dry cabinet with heating function. When the heating function is turned on, the baking dry cabinets dehumidify twice as quickly as a regular dry cabinet. They also ensure that the moisture evaporated doesn’t condense again. While they consume more energy than the dry cabinet, Dr. Storage’s baking dry cabinets are still energy efficient. They use about a quarter of the energy compared to a traditional oven.  

Choosing Your Dry Cabinet

Ready to pick the dry cabinet most suitable for your production needs? Check out our range of Dr. Storage dry cabinets available.

Posted: 20 September 2024