SST Annual System Maintenance Recommendations

You’ve made an investment in your SST Vacuum Reflow System and want to keep it producing at a high level.

To ensure systems operate at peak performance without any production down-time, SST recommends owners follow an annual system maintenance plan, performed by an SST service technician. During an annual service call, as well as performing routine service, the technician checks vital components of the system that are usually not the most obvious areas of failure in the system.

Components such as seals, water or vacuum hoses, vacuum pumps, water pumps, elevator timing belts, water and gas valves, water and gas flow switches, heater, and heater components may not show any sign of failure, but their failure may be abrupt, if it happens.  Annual maintenance keeps the reliability of the system at its highest level through its life cycle.

To ensure accurate measurement of temperature uniformity, temperature controller calibration is another area of annual maintenance that is recommended, regardless of the need to replace other components or service subsystems.  SST technicians can calibrate the temperature controllers as an onsite service, or the service can be performed at SST’s factory.

Your investment in an annual maintenance regime will help maximize the operating life of your system and reduce the lifecycle cost, allowing the highest return on the investment on the system. 

Depending on the model, annual maintenance may vary by parts replacement, or subsystem tune ups. However, all systems will have the following services performed:

• Check all contacts between the boat, electrodes and thermocouple.
• Clean the electrodes.
• Clean the inside of the process chamber
• Inspect the control and monitor thermocouples.
• Inspect ceramic insulators on contact spring assemblies for soundness and replace as necessary.
• Check and tighten all screws on tooling.
• Inspect each control and indicator to ensure all functions are working properly.
• Inspect electrical contact between the boat, or heater, to assure performance and tool life. It is important to inspect the tool to ensure process performance, but also to prevent premature failure.
• In the case of Models 3130 and 3150, inspect the retainers for proper form and finish.
• Check and adjust the retainer attachment screws and tighten as necessary.
• Check the pre-compressed length of the contact springs.
• Inspect and clean lubricant from the lid screw. Apply fresh grease, (white lithium recommended).
• Inspect the system for leaks by pressurizing the chamber. Replace the thermocouple assembly.
• Replace the oil in the vacuum pump, with recommended oil.
• Inspect and clean the heat shield located on the underside of the lid.
• Replace the Inconel springs in the contact assemblies.
• Replace the in-line vacuum filter on the suction side of the pump.
• Replace lid O-ring.
• Replace the in-line vacuum filter on the suction side of the pump.
• Load and run the Machine Test Profiles.
• Test the water recirculation system. Check the coolant flow switch.
• Check the condition of the rubber coolant lines. Check the hoses for cracks, signs of aging or leaking, and replace as necessary.
• In the case of Model 3150, flush and refill the re-circulating water system.
• Check the condition all the valves for proper operation both on gas and water lines.
• Check inside machine enclosure for any signs of water or oil leaks.
• Run all the interlocks for proper functionality.
• Remove the Athena Temperature Controller and calibrate it.
  
  

SST technicians are trained and ready to perform these annual maintenance inspections.  Please contact your SST representative for different program offerings on the annual service and pre planned Strategic Service Contracts.

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Saeed Sedehi
Director of Engineering
SST Vacuum Reflow Systems