Reflow tools

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

I was just reading through this topic:

http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1246049498

and it reminded me of a couple ideas I've had.

First, I thought it might be fun to build a reflow oven out of a toaster oven and an Arduino. The idea is that you add a convection oven fan, some heat shields to prevent radiated heat from over cooking the boards and a temp sensor or two. The heat up/cool down timings and patterns are readily available and could easily be written into Arduino code.

I also was recently thinking about using the little heat gun tip on my Portasol butane tool as a hot air reflow pencil. Does anyone know what the optimum air temperature is for the hot air? I have a type K thermocouple I can use to measure it. I figure the board and component temps are visibly obvious as the solder melts (and I have watched the SparkFun videos too).

Thoughts, concerns, ideas?

Cheers!
Mark-

2

OK, fine. But at least I figured out why no replies have been posted. And now I feel like a total noob.

Right. So anyway, ya. I'll just check out the idea that's been on the playground for a long time. :wink: