Happy Holidays from BCE!


 “It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” – Agnes M. Pharo

Wishing you a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year. 

Best wishes from everyone at BCE.

Environmentally Friendly Mini Clean Flow Heater Replaces Gas Burner System

Mini Clean Flow Heater

BACKGROUND

The application involved using environmentally friendly electric heat replacing a gas burner type system.  The engineering request was to conform to a direct replacement 3” stainless tubing while utilizing BCE’s Mini Clean Flow In-line design.  The challenge was building the right inlet and outlet fittings in-line for a seamless change in the air heating process (gas to electric).  Electrically isolated elements in the air stream were required with a high temperature thermocouple assembly near the outlet.

SCOPE

Mini Clean Flow – Hi Wattage needed to satisfy the following:
  • Temperature 482°C to 648°C
  • Internal element must be able to withstand temperature <750°C and be electrically isolated
  • 3” outside diameter, no insulation 
  • A sanitary fitting on the inlet with an NPT on the outlet
  • A cold section on the heat source was required with fiberglass leads  
  • 304 stainless steel material on the heat source and vessel 
  • Type “J” Thermocouple able to withstand high temp at the outlet  
  • 480Volt, 7,000Watt (+/-10%)  

OUTCOME

BCE produced a highly effective Mini Clean Flow heater meeting the delta “T” requirements during the final testing.  We were able to pressure test the part to 90PSI @ 20⁰C-25⁰ without any visible leaks in the weld or braze joints.    A thorough quality inspection was completed on the heater source with final cleaning using isopropyl alcohol and dry air. 


+1 510-274-1990

BCE Responds to Chip Shortage with 450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck Design

50mm Vacuum Heater Chuck

BACKGROUND

With the existing chip shortage, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) application up to 360⁰C was the focus of the latest BCE Vacuum Heater Chuck. A compressed assembly was used with many vacuum holes and grooves in the bottom plate to allow the gases to escape during pump down of the vacuum chamber. No surface anodizing was required.

SCOPE

450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck needed to satisfy the following:
  • Temperature <361°C
  • Internal element must be able to withstand temperature <601°C
  • Top surface 16ra
  • A cold section was needed with added thickness for a vacuum fitting
  • 304 Stainless Steel Heat Source
  • 240Volt, 3850Watt (+/-10%)
  • Type “K” Thermocouple was placed near edge (or built-in to heat source)
  • Maximum allowable grooves and holes on the bottom plate to allow any trapped gases to escape

OUTCOME

BCE produced a highly effective vacuum heater which reached an atmospheric temperature of 360°C in under 30 minutes. The reduced mass on the bottom plate provided proper gas elimination with a quicker initial ramp time. Due to this decreased ramp time in atmosphere, a reduced wattage may be an option for the next iteration of the 450mm Vacuum Heater Chuck.


BCE
+1 510-274-1990

Sunrod Split Sheath Miniature Cartridge Heaters

Sunrod Split Sheath Miniature Cartridge Heaters
  • Small footprint, high heat
  • 1/8 inch and 4MM diameters
  • 3 - 240 volt operation
  • Hundreds of sizes In stock
  • Heaters as short as 1/2"
Sunrod split sheath cartridge heaters have a novel, innovative design that removes the failure points of conventional miniature heaters. The design includes a continuous resistor packed in maximum density insulation and welded to the heater connections. Lead wires exit through the insulation with a temperature rating of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Insulation with a temperature rating of 900 degrees Fahrenheit is also available.

Sunrod

In contrast to typical cartridge heaters, which have cold areas throughout their length and unheated sections at each end, Sunrods generate heat continuously for the whole length of the heater. The even heat dispersion of Sunrod ensures more uniform temperatures for your process. 

Sunrods have a unique hot tip that allows you to reach any part of your operation that requires heat. 

When activated, the split sheath design of SunRod forces its opposing legs to extend into contact with the surrounding bore for optimal heat transfer resulting in reduced operating temperature and an extended operating - by up to five times! 

SunRod elements contract when de-energized, breaking contact with the bore and allowing slide-out removal. SunRods are never going to seize! 

You may now apply heat whenever you want! Drill a small bore to the area that requires heating and insert a hot tip SunRod.

Contact BCE for more information about Sunrod split sheath miniature cartridge heaters. Call 510-274-1990 or visit https://bcemfg.com.


The Vertex Vacuum Feedthrough

Vertex Vacuum Feedthrough

High Vacuum Feedthrough for Tight Spaces

The new Vertex line of feedthroughs was born out of the necessity of making right-angle feedthroughs robust enough to handle the high vacuum requirements, voltage, amperage, pin dimensions, and challenging space constraints. BCE responded with the Vertex feedthrough.

The feedthrough utilizes precise beaded welds and multiple cure times of the BCE epoxy. After each cure, a vacuum leak test is performed to spec, ensuring feedthrough integrity. Chemical cleaning is BCE’s standard procedure for the Vertex.

Specifications

  • Temperature up to 100°C operating temperature
  • 10 ¯⁹ CC/S or less He leak rate
  • Straight thread, BSPP, with Hex
  • 250V 4 Amp
  • 304 Stainless Steel Material
  • 5-Pin with a 90⁰angle

BCE
+1 510-274-1990

Memorial Day: celebrate, honor, remember.

Memorial Day 2021

850º C Copper Molybdenum (CuMo) Vacuum Heater Chuck

850º C Copper Molybdenum (CuMo) Vacuum Heater Chuck

Vacuum Chuck Heater with Higher Temperature Capability Than Aluminum and Better Uniformity Too!

In a recent test the BCE Copper Molybdenum (CuMo) Vacuum Heater Chuck performed admirably past its stated rating of 850º C up to 900º C during ramp-up and heater stabilization. 

The BCE Copper Molybdenum capability of 850º C clearly outperforms aluminum heater chucks temperature threshold of 450º C by a large margin, and also provides the benefit of more uniform heat distribution. 

For more information contact BCE. Call them at 510-274-1990 or visit this web page.

200mm 8” Copper Molybdenum (CuMo) Vacuum Heater Chuck

Vacuum Heater Chuck

BACKGROUND

Having better uniformity specifications than aluminum with a higher temperature threshold, the Copper Molybdenum (CuMo) Vacuum Heater Chuck displayed stellar performance during ramp-up and heater stabilization. Thermal conductivity (TC) typically 210 to 255 W/m.K (with rolling process) compared to Aluminum at 205 W/m.K. Using a compressed style configuration, we utilized a 304 stainless steel bottom housing since the uniformity requirement was top end specific. This increased heat transfer towards the top CuMo side while reducing customer cost.

200mm 8” Stainless Vacuum Heater Electrical and Performance Specs:

  • High temperature up to 850°C
  • Temperature uniformity 550⁰C (+/-3⁰C)
  • 108 mtorr, pass best config. baseline (~0.4 torr/min)
  • 120 Volt or 208 Volt Up to 750 Watt (+/-10%)
  • External thermocouple optional
  • Surface Finish: As per customer specification
BCE
510-274-1990

150mm 6” Stainless Vacuum Heater Chuck

150mm 6” Stainless Vacuum Heater Chuck

BACKGROUND

An ALD chamber needed to be upgraded to a higher temperature platen, beyond the limits of aluminum.  The application involved reducing the cost of a replacement vacuum heater while keeping the heat transfer and uniformity the same or better in vacuum.  Vacuum integrity was crucial to the success of the project since it needed to comply with the existing vacuum heater chuck being replaced. 

SCOPE

  • 150mm 6” Stainless Vacuum Heater following specs: 
  • Temperature up to 450°C (+/- 1%) 30 minutes or less  
  • 304 SS 2.75 CF Flange Feedthrough with Viton O-ring  
  • 108 mtorr, pass best config. baseline (~0.4 torr/min) 
  • 120 Volt, 950 Watt (+/-10%), 8 Amp 
  • Thermocouple built-in to heater source
  • Surface Finish: 32 Ra 

OUTCOME

  • BCE 6” Vacuum Heater Chuck
  • Medium vacuum compatible
  • Leak-up rate test for the best tool config (~0.4 torr/min).
  • Good temperature uniformity over 6” dia, up-to 450°C.
  • Within ± 2.5°C over most of the wafer, except the edges of a 6” dia.
  • Repeatable and Predictable temperature  ramps up-to 450°C

BCE
510-274-1990

120-volt Socket Vacuum Feedthroughs

120-volt Socket Vacuum Feedthroughs

Vacuum equipment usually requires transferring electrical currents, voltages, and signals or fluids through the equipment walls. BCE provides a wide range of feedthroughs that serve as solutions to various requirements for vacuum equipment installations.

One unique design is the 120-volt Socket Feedthrough. It's designed to replace bulky power wiring and reduce clutter located in and around a vacuum chamber.  A three-slot single female receptacle precisely fitted into an adapter with a KF50 flange or 1-1/4" NPT connection. This feedthrough is an optimal solution to reduce the size and increase efficiency. With this design, users can relocate the power system to the chamber's exterior, increasing the available space within the vacuum chamber while maintaining the desired vacuum rating.

BCE's epoxy chemical adhesion, the most robust mechanism of any adhesive bond, make the seal possible.  The viscoelastic nature of the epoxy absorbs vibrations and allows for a better performance by reducing fatigue.

BCE's innovative product is just what you need for a fast and easy 120-volt socket available on the other side of the vacuum wall. They provide a standard 120V, 15 amp socket for a quick, reusable connection. Custom configurations are available.

BCE
510-274-1990