The ETC NC series are in-line nitrogen convection reflow ovens without a vacuum zone, for lead-free reflow on general SMT lines. The NC08 comes with 8, 10 or 12 heating zones (NC08M-82/102/123), handles boards 50–400 mm wide and 70–500 mm long at 0.4–1.6 m/min, and uses about half the power of the previous generation — the NC08M-82 runs at about 6.5 kW steady with a measured Δt of 2°C. The NC06 series is also available.
Convection Reflow Ovens for Large Boards and Low Power Consumption
The ETC NC series are in-line nitrogen convection reflow ovens from Eightech Tectron of Japan. They heat with upper and lower hot-air circulation, have no vacuum zone, and are used for lead-free reflow on general SMT lines. The NC08 comes with 8, 10 or 12 heating zones (NC08M-82/102/123), handles boards 50–400 mm wide and 70–500 mm long, at a conveyor speed of 0.4–1.6 m/min.
The heating lengths of the three models are 2,600, 3,200 and 3,880 mm. More heating zones let the same profile run at a faster conveyor speed, suiting high volumes or boards with high thermal mass; the 8-zone model is enough for typical volumes. The digits after the model name give the heating and cooling zones — 82 is 8 heating and 2 cooling zones, 123 is 12 heating and 3 cooling.
The NC06 series uses the same precise heating and efficient insulation design, with 30% lower power consumption than earlier models: the NC06M-82 draws about 22.1 kW maximum during heat-up and about 6.9 kW steady, about 27.2 kWh over 3 hours, with Δt 1°C. Contact Utrun-Tech for NC06 specifications.
For products with strict void requirements, such as power devices and thermal pads, see the RNV/RSV vacuum reflow ovens; for a comparison of all series and the industries they serve, see the ETC reflow oven selection guide.
NC08 Convection Reflow Oven Design
- Low power consumptionThe NC08 uses about half the power of the previous generation. The NC08M-82 draws about 21.9 kW maximum during heat-up and about 6.5 kW steady, about 26.9 kWh over 3 hours.
- Uniform heatingA new hot-air circulation method improves uniformity and repeatability, so a profile meeting reflow conditions can be set up quickly. NC08M-82 on a 250 × 330 mm test board: Δt 2°C, time above 220°C 46–48 s, preheat (140–180°C) 83–88 s.
- Rapid coolingCooling performance close to water cooling.
- Efficient insulationThe oven surface stays around 38°C, sparing operators and air conditioning and reducing heat loss from the oven.
- Large-capacity flux collectionCleaning is needed far less often, and heat exchanger replacement and cleaning are simple.
Oven surface temperature
Thermal image of the NC08M-82 in operation, about 38°C.
Flux collection unit
The large-capacity collection system of the NC08M-82.
Models and Specifications
| Item | NC08M-82 | NC08M-102 | NC08M-123 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Convection reflow oven (no vacuum zone) | ||
| Heating zones | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Cooling zones | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Power supply | 3-phase 380V 50/60Hz 37A | 3-phase 380V 50/60Hz 47A | 3-phase 380V 50/60Hz 53A |
| Start-up power (kW) | Approx. 25 | Approx. 27 | Approx. 35 |
| Steady power (kW) | Approx. 6.5 | Approx. 7.2 | Approx. 7.8 |
| Nitrogen consumption (m³/h) | Approx. 15–18 | ||
| Dimensions (L × W × H) (mm) | 5,060 × 1,360 × 1,395 | 5,680 × 1,360 × 1,395 | 6,660 × 1,360 × 1,395 |
| Weight (kg) | Approx. 2,200 | Approx. 2,550 | Approx. 3,000 |
| Heating length (mm) | 2,600 | 3,200 | 3,880 |
| Component height (mm) | 27 above and below (from chain top) | ||
| PCB width (mm) | 50–400 | ||
| PCB length (mm) | 70–500 | ||
| Conveyor speed (m/min) | 0.4–1.6 | ||
| Conveyor height (mm) | 890–920 (standard 900) | ||
| Flux collection | Standard | ||
| Fan speed control | 5 levels | ||
| Options | PC, UPS, anti-warp conveyor, dual conveyor, mesh conveyor, monthly timer, specified color, etc. | ||
Highlighted rows differ between models; values shared by all models are merged into one cell.
Contact Utrun-Tech for NC06 series specifications. Component height excludes the labyrinth curtain; with the curtain it is 10 mm above the entrance and 5 mm elsewhere.
Typical Applications
General SMT production
For consumer electronics, IT products and industrial control boards without large-area joints, or where void rates already meet the specification, convection reflow is sufficient. The NC08M-82 measured Δt 2°C on a 250 × 330 mm test board and uses about half the power of the previous generation.
Large boards
Handles boards 50–400 mm wide and 70–500 mm long — larger than the RNV/RSV vacuum reflow ovens (max. 330 mm). For high thermal mass or higher throughput, choose the 10- or 12-zone model.
Thin boards and mixed production
Optional anti-warp conveyor, dual-lane conveyor and mesh belt conveyor support thin boards, two products running side by side, or products carried on fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do 82, 102 and 123 mean on the NC08, and how do I choose?
The digits give the number of heating and cooling zones: 82 has 8 heating and 2 cooling zones, 102 has 10 and 2, and 123 has 12 and 3, with heating lengths of 2,600, 3,200 and 3,880 mm. All three handle the same board size (50–400 mm wide, 70–500 mm long); the difference is throughput — a longer heating section runs the same profile at a faster conveyor speed. The 82 suits typical volumes; consider the 102 or 123 for boards with high thermal mass or higher output.
How does the NC series differ from the RNV/RSV vacuum reflow ovens?
The NC series has only convection heating and cooling zones, with no vacuum zone, so it cannot pull voids out of molten solder. Its advantage is a larger board size (up to 400 × 500 mm, versus 330 × 250 mm or 250 × 330 mm on the RNV/RSV). If your product has large-area joints — power devices, thermal pads, QFNs — with a void specification, choose the RNV/RSV; for general SMT production without such requirements, the NC series is sufficient.
What are the NC08's power consumption and temperature uniformity?
The manufacturer states the NC08 uses about half the power of the previous generation: the NC08M-82 draws about 21.9 kW maximum during heat-up and about 6.5 kW steady, about 26.9 kWh over 3 hours. On a 250 × 330 mm test board it measured Δt 2°C, 46–48 s above 220°C and 83–88 s of preheat (140–180°C). The oven surface stays around 38°C, reducing heat loss and air-conditioning load.
Does it need nitrogen? What options are available?
The NC08 is a nitrogen reflow oven, consuming about 15–18 m³ of nitrogen per hour, on a 3-phase 380V 50/60Hz supply. Options include a PC, UPS, anti-warp conveyor, dual-lane conveyor, mesh belt conveyor, monthly timer and custom paint color.
How does the NC06 differ from the NC08?
The NC06 is a convection reflow oven with the same precise heating and efficient insulation design, using 30% less power than earlier models; the NC06M-82 runs at about 6.9 kW steady with Δt 1°C. Full NC06 specifications are not listed on this site — contact Utrun-Tech to compare the two.