I was going to take a stab at reflow surface mount soldering usings paste, stencils and a electric frying pan (or wok). What do you use to monitor the temperature?
Would something like this
work?
Thanks
I was going to take a stab at reflow surface mount soldering usings paste, stencils and a electric frying pan (or wok). What do you use to monitor the temperature?
Would something like this
work?
Thanks
While those infrared guns are handy, I don't think you'd find it very useful for reflow. Your hand is going to tired in a hurry.
Instead I'd suggest investing in a decent thermocouple and a Fluke meter that can read it. Search google for "fluke meter thermocouple".
Tape the thermocouple to a sacrificial board with polyimide. This will give you a nice monitor for what's going on.
i recently got a ton of (free sample) surface mount devices because i forgot to specify DIP, so id be interested in how this turns out.
I watched a somewhat corny youtube video where someone used an Arduino for temperature control of the process. Imagine that.
I don't use a thermometer. When the solder reflows, it's done!
The ir will not work properly through the glass, oven has to be opened to measure.
Use a thermocouple.
I just bought the Arduino reflow solder shield from RocketScream.com, I can thoroughly recommend it.
I'm using it with a bog basic £30 toaster oven from Argos and it works a treat. I ripped the control stuff out of the oven, let the shield plus a solid state relay do the needful.
Tommy
Got mine last week .
++ totally agree.
John_S:
I don't use a thermometer. When the solder reflows, it's done!
While that will work, you don't really follow the recommended profile for temperature - for example, you should really "soak" the PCB at 180 degrees C or so for 1-2 minutes (of course the actual temperature and time depends on your solder paste) before ramping up the temperature for reflow. Sometimes you need every little bit of help to make things work
If you're looking for a low-budget solution, take a look at http://www.instructables.com/id/Closing-the-Loop-on-Surface-Mount-Soldering/
Uses a ~$25 IR temperature sensor from Harbor Freight, a $16 Teensy, and a SSR from eBay for under $20 (ok the article doesn't use an SSR but you can easily substitute one).
I've got a hotplate setup running based on Jim's document, and there are a number of local dorkbotter's using the same design. Works great and the cost is pretty low.
FWIW,
Brad
KF7FER
John_S:
I don't use a thermometer. When the solder reflows, it's done!
For non critical circuits this might be okay.
Components like ceramic capacitors are exceptionally sensitive to the heat profile they are exposed to. Hear them up or cool them down too fast and they will develop thermal cracks.
A cracked ceramic rarely fails immediately.
All components have a thermal profile they can tolerate before you begin damaging them.