What is everyone's reflow solution?

[gc.ga...@gmail.com]

We have been using two T962A ovens with Unified Engineering firmware and cold junction modification for several years (we did update to the new "vented" versions a couple years back).

It has been a workable if not totally ideal solution for us. The thing that makes it serviceable in our opinion is switching to a low temperature (lead-free) solder. The low temperature solder is key because it allows us to build a lot of margin into our reflow profiles to account for the uneven heating the oven provides.

Even with our low temperature solder, we do have some issues with a few, high-thermal mass connectors not flowing correctly and requiring touch-up. So I just wanted to share what our solution has been and see if anyone has any other tricks for making reflow as "easy-bake" as possible?

[vespaman]

So, in my case, I have never used leaded solder. But I started with a small drawer style oven, QS5100, which is normally considered being without some of the issues the T962 has. This setup where only for prototype builds since about 7 years.

Last year, I decided create some products that I would manufacture in house, including the housing etc, and with a estimated yearly volume of about 1000 units to start with. With that, the first thing that needed to change, was the oven - the QS5100 was way too small, and I was struggling getting good results, for a full panel. A board in the middle of the machine would solder OK, but it was either over or under on various other places. I was for long considering upgrading to a new drawer style oven because of their convenient size, but in the end, I decided to get a IN6 instead, since the better drawer style ovens where anyway getting pretty expensive. Now, I have only runt maybe 100 or so boards since I got it, but so far, so good. It did not take long to adjust it to a working, considering how much time I have spent on the QS5100. It would be nice if the IN6 would have had wifi web interface, for checking/editing profiles in detail, but the LCD interface is OK, if not a bit tedious. I do get consistent result, and the "put board in, and forget" of a conveyor oven is a treat. I also appreciate the size, even if not as much as the little drawer oven.

The downside is that it takes forever to heat it up, and while getting OK profiles are way way better than the old oven, I think it, because of its size, is "just" managing to do well. My panels has been good, but I don't have big "cold" components (transformers etc), which I think might cause trouble.  But there's always size vs performance, wattage vs performance and price vs performance.

In my case, I would have preferred a 3 phase connection, or at least 16A/230V rather than the 10A/230V.

 - Micael

[Jerry Zdenek]

After burning up some boards in a T962 due to parts being too tall, I just gave up on it completely and decided I just needed something with space between the IR heater bulbs and the actual board.  So I ended up buying a MC301 and have been very happy.  I just put the thermocouple on the board and it adjusts the heat to pretty much what is needed.

https://www.manncorp.com/collections/benchtop-smt-reflow-ovens/products/batch-smt-reflow-oven-benchtop-mc301

It's limited to about 8x10, so for a few boards I put them on an angle so they fit the area.  It's been running great, I love it for prototypes.  It's set and forget.  The only downside is it's not good for volume production, then you really do want a tunnel oven.

I did have one big board that wouldn't fit in the MC301, so I went out and bought a t962C just so that board would fit.  I wish I hadn't, It melted the connectors on the board.  If you read the manual carefully, it's says it's not good for connectors in a very sneaky way. So if anyone in the chicago area wants it, PM me. This one's a 120V model.

For paste I only use the loctite GC10 that's room temperature stable, it's been wonderful to work with.

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[Wayne Black]

I got NEW LED T961 Reflow Oven BGA SMT Sirocco & Rapid Infrared Soldering Machine - Amazon.com for $1400 and free shipping in 2019. Price has doubled but the free shipping is a good deal. It has been rock solid and good results. It is large...

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/desktop-pick-and-place/6fa8b889-414a-4f93-b53f-5a87e9cf51cd%40gmail.com.

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Wayne Black

Owner

Black Box Embedded, LLC

black...@blackboxembedded.com

1.831.682.4964

[Drew S]

We've been using an Neoden IN6 that has done well for the mostly leaded reflow we do.  It certainly is a bit on the pricey side, but the NeodenUSA support has been great.