Development and distribution of wave and reflow soldering systems, selective soldering systems and nitrogen generators from Switzerland
epm Handels AG
Dottikon AG (headquarters, office, warehouse, showroom)New on Amplifa
About epm
epm Handels AG, based in Dottikon (Canton Aargau, Switzerland), has been developing, designing and distributing soldering systems for electronics manufacturing as well as nitrogen generation systems and soldering chemistry since 1972. The portfolio includes wave soldering systems ranging from the MiniWaver SIG benchtop unit and the compact Core SIG to the full-nitrogen systems of the CIG series (Highspeed, Compact), as well as reflow convection systems from the Vitronics Soltec Centurion range and selective soldering systems (Selecta highspeed TMS). The systems are manufactured in Switzerland, and epm has assembled the SIG controllers and cable modules in-house since 2014. Since 2018, epm has also distributed nitrogen generators from INMATEC (PSA and membrane technology, purities up to 99,9999 %) as well as soldering chemistry from BALVER ZINN and COBAR in Switzerland. The company supports customers with planning, process support, customized solutions, installation, maintenance and training; through a partner network, epm is represented worldwide. Reference customers come from the automotive supply industry, medical technology, consumer electronics and aviation.
- Site
- Dottikon AG
- Processes
- Wave soldering, Reflow soldering, Selective soldering, Dip-drag soldering process (selective soldering, Selecta highspeed TMS), Onsite nitrogen generation (PSA generators), Nitrogen generation using membrane technology, Planning and conception, Process support
- Materials
- BALVER ZINN® solders, COBAR® flux for selective soldering, COBAR® flux for wave soldering, Lead-free solders for the electronics industry, Nitrogen, COBAR® fluxes
- Certificates
- RoHS-compliant systems, Traceability, In-house assembly and system testing
- Founded
- 1972
- Industries
- Electronics manufacturing, Automotive suppliers, Medical technology, Consumer electronics, Aircraft suppliers, Contract manufacturing
- 01
Planning and conception
- 02
Development and design of the systems (Swiss Made)
- 03
In-house assembly of controllers and cable modules
- 04
Distribution and installation
- 05
Process support and training
- 06
Service and after-sales (maintenance, repair, spare parts)
Materials, soldering chemistry and processes
Nitrogen
Onsite generation using PSA or membrane technology to improve soldering quality and enlarge the process window.
BALVER ZINN® solders
Lead-free solders and accessories (anodes, special wires) for the electronics industry, distributed for Switzerland.
COBAR® fluxes
Fluxes for wave and selective soldering, distributed for the Swiss market.
Locations
Dottikon
CHHeadquarters, office, warehouse, showroom
- Wave soldering systems (CIG Highspeed/Compact, Premium, Economy, Core, MiniWaver SIG)
- Reflow system Vitronics Soltec Centurion
- Nitrogen generators INMATEC (IMT PN OnGo/OnTouch, NKat, PNC, EcoTube)
- In-house assembly of controllers and cable modules
Systems and equipment
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave solderingJoining | – | – | – | – | Solder (wave soldering) |
| Reflow solderingJoining | – | – | – | – | Soldering chemistry (reflow soldering) |
| Selective solderingJoining | – | – | – | – | COBAR® flux for selective soldering |
| Dip-drag soldering process (selective soldering, Selecta highspeed TMS)Joining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Onsite nitrogen generation (PSA generators)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Nitrogen |
| Nitrogen generation using membrane technologyEngineering | – | – | – | – | Nitrogen |
| Planning and conceptionEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Process supportEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Customized system solutionsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Training and instructionEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Distribution of soldering chemistry (solders, fluxes, anodes, special wires, lead-free products)Joining | – | – | – | – | Solders (various alloys), Fluxes, Anodes, Special wires |
20 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave soldering system (full nitrogen, highspeed) | epm CIG Highspeed SIG | – | 7280x935x880 mm to 8954x1035x880 mm; solder capacity 390-650 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Wave soldering system (full nitrogen, compact) | epm CIG Compact SIG | – | 5175x935/1035x880 mm; solder capacity 390-650 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Wave soldering system | epm Premium SIG | – | 3740x935/1035x880 mm; solder capacity 390-650 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Wave soldering system | epm Economy SIG | – | 3480x935/1035x880 mm; solder capacity 390-650 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Wave soldering system | epm Core SIG | – | 2090x765x1115 mm; solder content approx. 80 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Benchtop wave soldering system | epm MiniWaver SIG | – | 1000x520x300 mm; solder capacity 38 kg | – | Dottikon |
| Reflow convection soldering system | Vitronics Soltec Centurion | – | Models 720A-1240A, heating zones 7-12, cooling zones 2-4, total length 415-628 cm | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA) | INMATEC IMT PN OnGo | – | Capacity 3,2-84 Nm³/h at purity 99-99,999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA, Industry 4.0) | INMATEC IMT PN OnTouch | – | Capacity 3,2-84 Nm³/h at purity 99-99,999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA, hydrogen catalyst) | INMATEC IMT NKat | – | Models IMT PNK 1350 to IMT PNCK 9700; nitrogen purity up to 99,9999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA, ultra-pure) | INMATEC IMT PNC | – | Nitrogen from 10,7-1.424,80 Nm³/h, purity 95%-99,999% (6.0) | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA) | INMATEC IMT PNC OnGo | – | Nitrogen from 10,7-1.424,80 Nm³/h, purity 95%-99,999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA, EcoTube) | INMATEC IMT PN EcoTube | – | Nitrogen from 0,70-47,20 Nm³/h, purity 97%-99,999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (PSA, EcoTube) | INMATEC IMT PN EcoTube OnGo | – | Nitrogen from 0,70-47,20 Nm³/h, purity 97%-99,999% | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (membrane technology) | INMATEC IMT SN | – | – | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (membrane technology) | INMATEC IMT MN | – | – | – | Dottikon |
| Nitrogen generator (membrane technology) | INMATEC IMT LNX | – | – | – | Dottikon |
| Accessory: standalone fluxer | epm Standalone Fluxer | – | – | – | Dottikon |
| Accessory: duplex option (2 solder baths in one machine) | epm Duplex option | – | – | – | Dottikon |
| Selective soldering system (dip-drag soldering process) | epm Selecta highspeed TMS | – | – | 2007 | Dottikon |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
epm manufactures in Switzerland with stainless steel housings, a modern SIG controller, RoHS-compliant systems, traceability and low consumption values; systems are tested before delivery and support is provided directly and through trained sales partners.
| Evidence | Dottikon |
|---|---|
| RoHS-compliant systems | |
| Traceability | |
| In-house assembly and system testing |
History
- 1969
First wave soldering systems on the market
- 1972
Founded as Elproma-Holding in Zurich, distribution of wave soldering systems worldwide; renamed EPM Handels AG in the early 90s
- 1973-2001
Development of various wave soldering systems (HD 327, Solder-cut-solder-inline, Cutter, CDX etc.), establishment of a worldwide sales and service network
- 1991
Market launch of the CIG full-nitrogen soldering systems
- 2002
Launch of the RIG and PSM systems (1993-2002)
- 2003
Market launch of the TMS series
- 2006
Market launch of MiniWaver
- 2007
Market launch of Selecta highspeed TMS (selective soldering)
- 2010
Management buy-out: Matthias Köppel and Rebekka Lienhard acquire 100 % of the shares
- 2011
Launch of the SIG controller
- 2013
Move from Geroldswil to Sins
- 2014
Cooperation with Vitronics Soltec; increase in production depth (in-house assembly of controller/cable modules)
- 2015
Further development of the SIG controller
- 2016
Move into the Bally building (former shoe factory) in Dottikon
- 2017
Introduction of a new ERP system
- 2018
Takeover of distribution of INMATEC nitrogen generators and soldering chemistry from BalverZinn/Cobar for Switzerland; relaunch of MiniWaver