Altus Group, a distributor of capital equipment for the electronics industry, has successfully delivered a second ASSCON vapour phase soldering system to Concurrent Technologies. This move aims to bolster Concurrent’s production capabilities while maintaining the high soldering standards required for their mission-critical embedded computing solutions.
Building on the successful deployment of the ASSCON VP6000 batch system, Concurrent has opted for the VP2100-100 inline unit to increase production capacity. Vapour phase technology is indispensable for Concurrent, as it provides an inert, consistent heating environment, essential for soldering complex boards with varying component sizes. This technology is key for soldering processors weighing 98 grams with 4,500 balls alongside standard SMT components — a demanding task for other reflow processes.
The ASSCON VP2100-100 is engineered for high-volume applications, featuring a 750 x 620mm soldering chamber. It processes multiple PCBs simultaneously, ensuring oxygen-free heat transfer with dynamic profiling and sensor-based gradient control. This system guarantees reproducible conditions that prevent overheating, component damage, and PCB delamination.
Ian Gardiner, Concurrent’s process engineer, stated, “We’re very excited to have the new ASSCON VP2100-100 at our facility. This investment focuses on increasing our capacity while expanding automation within a proven vapour phase process. The VP2100’s inline capability perfectly addresses our throughput requirements.”
The VP2100-100 supports multiple PCB loading configurations with component heights up to 60mm. It offers 70% lower energy consumption compared to conventional systems, with rapid 30-minute start-up times and comprehensive traceability — critical for high-reliability applications.
Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group, commented, “Concurrent is a very exciting OEM in the UK, building highly relevant products that are in strong demand. It’s rewarding when a customer invests in a repeat machine for their production facility, signalling both their success and the technology’s proven value.”
ASSCON continues to pioneer inline vapour phase technology for high-volume applications. This installation at Concurrent is part of a growing trend of ASSCON deployments across the UK, with more installations anticipated in the coming months.
For further information on ASSCON vapour phase soldering systems and Altus Group’s complete range of electronics manufacturing equipment, visit www.altusgroup.co.uk.
