Argus International

Argus International spray technology has been proven superior to other methods of LPISM application. Our primary goal was to produce a spray system and a tack dry oven which could be linked through compatible conveyor systems to form a time and labor-efficient unit and to eliminate the handling of wet boards. A single, traversing spray head also increases efficiency by reducing setup time, and decreasing both machine cost and maintenance. HVLP-Heated Gun Technology allows use of high-solids LPISM for increased efficiency and minimized environmental impact. Argus 9724 drying technology provides a major breakthrough in reduction of dry time. Typical convection systems require 35 to 45 minutes to tack dry LPISM coatings; the 3 Zone Tackdry Oven reduces this to 3 or 4 minutes and 5 Zone Final Cure Oven reduces cure time to 6 or 7 minutes.

• SeriesPC7700

The PC7100 single sided UV curing systems are designed to expose photoimageable materials to intense UV energy. The UV energy is provided by employing medium pressure mercury vapor lamps above the conveyor. Lamp intensities of 200 watts per inch and 300 watts per inch are available with 2 or 3 lamp arrangements. Lamp energy is application dependent, but the standard equipment includes 2 lamps are 200WPI each. An optional water cooling system is available for exposing products that require a low surface temperature be maintained. The water cooling system supplies an IR filter which consumes IR emissions at the source, thereby reducing effective surface temperatures. The filtration system includes a water jacket type arrangement that provides a wall of water surrounded by two walls of quartz glass. The water is cooled in a self contained cooling system and recirculated in a closed loop fashion.

The PC6600 Series solder stripping systems were designed to precede Argus HAL5224 Hot Air Leveler systems. The machine is designed to strip plated tin or tin lead printed circuit boards, then passivate the surface for future processing.

The Argus 9224 Fast Cure Oven was designed to meet the requirements of the fast turn prototype PC manufacturers where the need to reduce manufacturing times is critical. Unlike the larger 9724X5 Final Cure Oven, the 9224 occupies less space on the production floor being only 110 inches [2794mm] long. The 9224 also has a much smaller production rate then the 9724X5, typically operating at about 2.5 fpm [.23 mpm]. Argus International has been the leader in IR technology since the late 1960s, holding critical patents on IR fusing. No company has the experience of Argus in employing this technology to the PCB industry. Various Argus systems have utilized both short wave and long wave IR radiation, forced convection, and even UV radiation.

The 9524S (Single-sided) or 9524D (Double-sided) HVLP Spray Units utilize advanced spray technology to apply uniform LPISM coatings to Printed Circuit Boards. This is accomplished by sweeping the heated gun across the PCB at very high speeds as the PCB passes through the spray chamber on a continuously moving edge-contact conveyor. This provides an efficient, reliable system which minimizes over-spray and produces a continuous, conveyorized throughput of LPISM-coated boards. The 9524S deploys one spray gun for spraying a single side of the panels at a time, while the 9524D deploys two spray guns for the single-pass coating of both sides of the panels.

• Size6" to 24" [150mm to 600mm]

Argus International spray technology has been proven superior to other methods. Our primary goal was to produce a spray system and a drying oven which could be linked through compatible conveyor systems to form a time and labor-efficient unit and to eliminate the handling of wet panels. A single, traversing spray head also increases efficiency by reducing setup time, and decreasing both machine cost and maintenance. HVLP-Heated Gun Technology allows use of high-solids for spraying for increased efficiency and minimized environmental impact. Argus drying technology provides a major breakthrough in reduction of drying time. Typical convection systems require 35 to 45 minutes to dry coatings; the 9724 3 Zone Drying Oven reduces it to 3 or 4 minutes, and 9724 5 Zone Drying Oven reduces it to 6 or 7 minutes.

The 9724 IR Tackdry Oven is designed to quickly and efficiently tack-dry LPISM-coated Printed Circuit Boards. The unit consists of three individually controlled long-wave infrared heater zones, a forced-air circulation system, and a conveyor to move the boards through the oven. This highly innovative technology, developed by Argus International, provides a breakthrough in significantly reducing the tack-dry time of LPISM-coated PCBs. While convection-only ovens rely on air to transfer heat, the 9724 directly heats the board with IR radiation and provides forced air circulation. This technique lowers the normal tack-dry time from 35-45 minutes to 3-4 minutes, which represents about a 1200% improvement in drying efficiency!

The HL2400 series post cleaning systems were designed to follow the Argus HAL5224 series Hot Air Leveling systems. The machine is designed to provide a flux removal with two stages of vigorous spray cleaning, mild brushing action followed by a fresh water rinse and turbo air drying. Board cleanliness is critical to quality PCB fabrication and the HA2400 series equipment is designed to deliver. HL2400 post clean system provides cooling zone conveyor to allow enough time for the circuit board to cool before it enters a recirculated spray cleaning and a mild brushing action that removes the most of the surface flux residue left over from the fusing process. The second recirculation chamber provides a recirculation of cleaner spray and mild brushing action and a final clean water rinse. The drain off of the second chamber feed and bleeds into the first chamber to minimize water usage. The drying system may have a turbo air knife to remove any puddle water and an infrared drying section to complete the drying process. A variety of brushing and drying options are available to maximize the effectiveness of the post cleaning system.

• SeriesPC7100

The PC7100 single sided UV curing systems are designed to expose photoimageable materials to intense UV energy. The UV energy is provided by employing medium pressure mercury vapor lamps above the conveyor. Lamp intensities of 200 watts per inch and 300 watts per inch are available with 2 or 3 lamp arrangements. Lamp energy is application dependent, but the standard equipment includes 2 lamps are 200WPI each. An optional water cooling system is available for exposing products that require a low surface temperature be maintained. The water cooling system supplies an IR filter which consumes IR emissions at the source, thereby reducing effective surface temperatures. The filtration system includes a water jacket type arrangement that provides a wall of water surrounded by two walls of quartz glass. The water is cooled in a self contained cooling system and recirculated in a closed loop fashion.

The PC3600 Series flux application systems are designed to support the Argus HAL5224 Hot Air Solder Leveling system by applying flux to circuit boards prior to the HASL process. The PC3600 employs three sets of nappy type rollers to provide complete flux coverage while minimizing flux usage. The first roller applies flux to the entire board surface. The second roller forces flux into the barrels and removes excess flux from the board surface. The third roller serves as a squeegee to remove all excess flux coverage. Excess flux is filtered and recycled providing a significant cost savings.

The PC5500 Series precleaning systems were designed to precede the Argus HAL5000 Series Hot Air Solder Leveling systems. The machine is designed to provide a vigorous spray cleaning, fresh water rinse and turbo air dry.

The PC4700 and PC4800 Series fusing systems were designed to reflow double sided and low mass multilayer circuit boards. The system consists of one temperature-controlled long-wave IR emitting zone for a saturating preheat (this feature on PC4800 system only), and one short-wave IR emitting zone with independent upperlower lamp control. This patented fusing technique provides a wider process window than all lamp systems. The preheat and reflow zone emitters are selected specifically for preheat and reflow purposes, respectively.

The PC3400 Series flux application systems are designed to support the Argus HAL5224 Hot Air Solder Leveling system by applying flux to circuit boards prior to the HASL process. The PC3400 employs one set of nappy type rollers to provide complete flux coverage. The top roller applies flux to the entire board surface. The bottom roller forces flux into the barrels providing complete surface coverage. Excess flux is filtered and recycled proving a significant cost savings.

The HAL5224 Hot Air Solder Leveling System is designed to provide the highest quality solder leveling at high throughput rates while preserving the highest reliability and serviceability standards available. Argus International has been designing, building and operating HASL systems for over a decade. The experience earned in a decade of dedication to engineering the HASL process is evident by the high quality work produced.

The PC3800 Series flux application systems are designed to support the Argus HAL5224 Hot Air Solder Leveling system by applying flux to circuit boards prior to the HASL process. The PC3800 employs three sets of nappy type rollers to provide complete flux coverage while minimizing flux usage. The first roller applies flux to the entire board surface. The second roller forces flux into the barrels and removes excess flux from the board surface. The third roller serves as a squeegee to remove all excess flux coverage. Excess flux is filtered and recycled providing a significant cost savings.