BTU International, Inc, a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, is highlighting the successful implementation of its Pyramax reflow technology at Portuguese electronics engineering and manufacturing company Exatronic, supported by BTU’s Profile Tracer 4D (engineered and developed by iRaptor) process optimisation solution and local distributor Sisprod.
The collaboration demonstrates how advanced reflow equipment, integrated thermal profiling and machine-condition monitoring can help manufacturers strengthen process stability, simplify product introductions and maintain consistent production quality.
In 2023, Exatronic invested in a BTU Pyramax 100A eight-zone reflow oven alongside Profile Tracer technology as part of a wider initiative to modernise its manufacturing capabilities. The investment enabled the company to establish greater control over its reflow processes while making it easier for its technical team to optimise production settings and introduce new products.
A key element of this approach is the Profile Tracer 4D solution, which extends conventional thermal profiling by incorporating pyrometer heat mapping and vibration analysis. These measurements are collected automatically during routine profiling, providing additional insight into both thermal performance and the mechanical condition of the equipment without requiring separate measurement procedures.
Heat mapping enables Exatronic to assess temperature distribution across the oven’s working width, helping identify variations and verify consistent thermal behaviour. Meanwhile, vibration monitoring provides an additional means of identifying potential changes in equipment condition that could affect process stability.
Together, these capabilities allow technicians to establish acceptable operating parameters, monitor equipment performance over time and take corrective action when deviations are identified.
Building on the success of its initial investment, Exatronic expanded its reflow capabilities in 2026 with the addition of a BTU Pyramax 150A twelve-zone oven, again supported by Profile Tracer technology.
The expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on manufacturing requirements in demanding sectors, where process consistency, traceability and repeatability are particularly important.
The original Pyramax 100A continues to operate within established process parameters, with thermal behaviour and vibration measurements monitored against known acceptable limits. Exatronic is now applying the same process-control philosophy to its newer equipment, creating a consistent approach to thermal process optimisation across its production operations.
“Reflow is where reliability is won or lost,” said Nuno Gomes, CEO of Exatronic. “Some of our boards now fly on satellites, and nobody can repair them once they are launched. Profile Tracer 4D tells us how the oven itself is behaving, every time we profile a board.”
“Our Pyramax 100A has stayed inside its process window since 2023. Adding the 150A with the same tools was an easy decision. It means our aerospace, and other high reliability electronics customers get the same result, batch after batch.”
The project also demonstrates the value of collaboration between equipment manufacturers, technology developers, distributors and end users. BTU’s reflow technology provides the thermal processing foundation, while iRaptor’s profiling and monitoring capabilities deliver additional process visibility. Sisprod, BTU’s distributor in Portugal, provides an important local connection between the technology partners and the Portuguese electronics manufacturing market.
The technologies and their applications will also be among the subjects highlighted at Sisprod Tech Days 2026, taking place on 22–23 October at the Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto, Portugal.
The event will bring together electronics manufacturing technology providers and industry professionals for technical presentations, demonstrations and discussions around advanced production solutions, with BTU International and iRaptor among the participating partners.
Exatronic’s experience illustrates how combining advanced reflow technology with integrated process monitoring can help manufacturers move beyond conventional thermal profiling towards a more proactive approach to equipment performance and process control.
By monitoring thermal behaviour, heat distribution and vibration within a single profiling workflow, manufacturers can gain greater confidence in the consistency of their equipment while giving production teams practical tools to respond to changing process conditions.
About BTU International
BTU International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amtech Group (Nasdaq: ASYS), is a global supplier and technology leader of advanced thermal processing equipment in the electronics manufacturing market. BTU’s high-performance reflow ovens are used in the production of SMT printed circuit board assemblies and in semiconductor packaging processes. BTU also specializes in precision controlled, high-temperature belt furnaces for a wide range of custom applications, such as brazing, direct bond copper (DBC), diffusion, and sintering. BTU has operations in Westford, Massachusetts, and Shanghai, China, with direct sales and service in the U.S.A., Asia and Europe.
