Precise Infrared Heat Treatment for Electronics and Printed Electronics Manufacturing

From automotive electronics to semiconductor manufacturing processes, such as atomic layer deposition, heating electronic components throughout production requires precise, uniform, and controlled temperature management. Infrared technology transfers high levels of energy without physical contact, making it ideal for thermal processing under vacuum conditions and in other demanding manufacturing environments.

With response times of just a few seconds, infrared emitters provide rapid, accurate temperature control while improving process efficiency. They are also well suited for drying and curing protective coatings, adhesives, and encapsulants used in electronic assemblies, often reducing processing times compared to conventional convection heating.

Infrared Heating for Efficient Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)

ALD is a critical process used in semiconductor manufacturing and nanomaterial production. This gas-phase chemical process deposits ultra-thin films through repeated exposure to precursor materials. Depending on the application, infrared heating can provide the thermal energy required to initiate or enhance the deposition process while supporting precise temperature control.

Infrared Preheating for Silicone Electronic Component Encapsulation

Silicone encapsulants are widely used, particularly in the automotive industry,  to protect electronic components  against moisture, dust, salt spray, and vibration.

Preheating components prior to over molding helps maintain material flow during the molding process. Infrared heating systems respond much faster than conventional hot-air systems, enabling precise temperature control that can be easily synchronized with automated, robot-assisted manufacturing processes.

Precision Heating for Electronic Components

Riveting electronic components inside plastic housings can be challenging when access is limited due to tight spaces. Infrared spot emitters deliver highly targeted, non-contact heating directly to the rivets, enabling reliable automated assembly while reducing rejects. Unlike contact heating methods, infrared technology eliminates the risk of molten plastic adhering to the heated tooling, and helps protect surrounding electronic components and coated surfaces from unnecessary heat damage.

Drying and Sintering of Printed Electronics

Printed electronics manufacturing requires effective solutions for print drying, conductive ink curing, and conductive ink sintering to achieve consistent product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Noblelight, now part of Excelitas, has developed infrared processes for post-treatment of roll-to-roll printing applications. Extensive research, application testing, and advanced numerical computer simulations have been used to develop and validate optimal solutions for end users. Ray-tracing simulations further optimize system geometry, ensuring each solution is tailored to the specific application for reliable and efficient process performance.