Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and a wave solder nozzle assembly configured to create a solder wave. The wave solder nozzle assembly has a nozzle core frame and an exit wing, the exit wing being rotatable about a hinge with respect to the nozzle core frame to adjust a flow of a solder wave. A linear actuator is connected via a linkage to the exit wing to allow the linear actuator to adjust an orientation of the exit wing with respect to the nozzle core frame.

Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and a wave solder nozzle assembly configured to create a solder wave. The wave solder nozzle assembly has a nozzle core frame and an exit wing, the exit wing being rotatable about a hinge with respect to the nozzle core frame to adjust a flow of a solder wave. A linear actuator is connected via a linkage to the exit wing to allow the linear actuator to adjust an orientation of the exit wing with respect to the nozzle core frame.

Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and a wave solder nozzle assembly configured to create a solder wave. The wave solder nozzle assembly has a nozzle core frame, a solder distribution baffle secured to the nozzle core frame, and a sliding plate that together define a nozzle. The sliding plate is movable with respect to the nozzle core frame between a close proximate position in which the nozzle is configured to produce a reduced width solder wave through the solder distribution baffle and a spaced apart position in which the nozzle is configured to produce an extended width solder wave through the solder distribution baffle.

Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and a wave solder nozzle assembly configured to create a solder wave. The wave solder nozzle assembly has a nozzle core frame, a solder distribution baffle secured to the nozzle core frame, and a sliding plate that together define a nozzle. The sliding plate is movable with respect to the nozzle core frame between a close proximate position in which the nozzle is configured to produce a reduced width solder wave through the solder distribution baffle and a spaced apart position in which the nozzle is configured to produce an extended width solder wave through the solder distribution baffle.

Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor coupled to the housing. The conveyor is configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and an adjustable wave solder nozzle assembly adapted to create a solder wave. The adjustable wave solder nozzle assembly has a first curve plate and a second curve plate that together define a nozzle. The second curve plate is movable with respect to the first curve plate between a close proximate position in which the second curve plate is proximate the first curve plate and a spaced apart position in which the second curve plate is spaced from the first curve plate to adjust a width of the nozzle.

Abstract: A wave soldering machine includes a housing and a conveyor coupled to the housing. The conveyor is configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing. The wave soldering machine further includes a wave soldering station coupled to the housing. The wave soldering station includes a reservoir of solder material, and an adjustable wave solder nozzle assembly adapted to create a solder wave. The adjustable wave solder nozzle assembly has a first curve plate and a second curve plate that together define a nozzle. The second curve plate is movable with respect to the first curve plate between a close proximate position in which the second curve plate is proximate the first curve plate and a spaced apart position in which the second curve plate is spaced from the first curve plate to adjust a width of the nozzle.

Abstract: A wave solder machine includes a pre-heating station, a wave soldering station, and a conveyor to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The tunnel has a substantially oxygen-free environment. The pre-heating station includes a pre-heater including a support frame assembly, and a heater assembly supported by the support frame assembly. The heater assembly is slidably coupled to the support frame assembly between an operational position and a non-operational position. The pre-heater further includes a seal disposed between the heater assembly and the support frame assembly. The seal provides a gas-tight seal when the heater assembly is in the operational position to prevent atmosphere from entering the tunnel thereby preserving the substantially oxygen-free environment within the tunnel.

Abstract: A wave solder machine includes a pre-heating station, a wave soldering station, and a conveyor to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The tunnel has a substantially oxygen-free environment. The pre-heating station includes a pre-heater including a support frame assembly, and a heater assembly supported by the support frame assembly. The heater assembly is slidably coupled to the support frame assembly between an operational position and a non-operational position. The pre-heater further includes a seal disposed between the heater assembly and the support frame assembly. The seal provides a gas-tight seal when the heater assembly is in the operational position to prevent atmosphere from entering the tunnel thereby preserving the substantially oxygen-free environment within the tunnel.

Abstract: A wave solder machine is configured to perform a wave solder operation on an electronic substrate. The wave solder machine includes a fluxing station configured to apply flux onto the electronic substrate, a pre-heating station configured to heat the electronic substrate, a wave soldering station configured to attach electronic components to the electronic substrate with solder, and a conveyor configured to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the fluxing station, the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The wave solder machine further includes a flux management system configured to remove contaminants from the tunnel. The flux management system is in fluid communication with the tunnel for passage of a vapor stream from the tunnel through the flux management system and back to the tunnel. Methods of performing a wave solder operation are further disclosed.

Abstract: A wave solder machine includes a pre-heating station, a wave soldering station, and a conveyor to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The tunnel has a substantially oxygen-free environment. The pre-heating station includes a pre-heater including a support frame assembly, and a heater assembly supported by the support frame assembly. The heater assembly is slidably coupled to the support frame assembly between an operational position and a non-operational position. The pre-heater further includes a seal disposed between the heater assembly and the support frame assembly. The seal provides a gas-tight seal when the heater assembly is in the operational position to prevent atmosphere from entering the tunnel thereby preserving the substantially oxygen-free environment within the tunnel.

Abstract: A wave solder machine includes a pre-heating station, a wave soldering station, and a conveyor to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The tunnel has a substantially oxygen-free environment. The pre-heating station includes a pre-heater including a support frame assembly, and a heater assembly supported by the support frame assembly. The heater assembly is slidably coupled to the support frame assembly between an operational position and a non-operational position. The pre-heater further includes a seal disposed between the heater assembly and the support frame assembly. The seal provides a gas-tight seal when the heater assembly is in the operational position to prevent atmosphere from entering the tunnel thereby preserving the substantially oxygen-free environment within the tunnel.

Abstract: A wave solder machine is configured to perform a wave solder operation on an electronic substrate. The wave solder machine includes a pre-heating station configured to heat the electronic substrate, a wave soldering station configured to attach electronic components to the electronic substrate with solder, and a conveyor configured to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the fluxing station, the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The pre-heating station includes at least one pre-heater including an outer chamber housing, a compression box assembly disposed in the outer chamber housing, a diffuser plate disposed above the compression box assembly, and at least one heating element disposed in the outer chamber housing. The pre-heater is configured to draw heated gas into the compression box assembly from the tunnel, heat the gas, and exhaust the heated gas out to the tunnel through the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A wave solder machine is configured to perform a wave solder operation on an electronic substrate. The wave solder machine includes a fluxing station configured to apply flux onto the electronic substrate, a pre-heating station configured to heat the electronic substrate, a wave soldering station configured to attach electronic components to the electronic substrate with solder, and a conveyor configured to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the fluxing station, the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station. The wave solder machine further includes a flux management system configured to remove contaminants from the tunnel. The flux management system is in fluid communication with the tunnel for passage of a vapor stream from the tunnel through the flux management system and back to the tunnel. Methods of performing a wave solder operation are further disclosed.

Abstract: A reflow oven chamber assembly includes a housing disposed within a reflow oven chamber, heating elements disposed in the housing, and compression box assemblies disposed in the housing. The compression box assembly includes a compression box housing having an intake port located adjacent the heating element, an intake duct disposed in the compression box, and a diffuser plate disposed above the intake duct. The intake duct has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the compression box housing and an outlet opening. The compression box assembly draws heated air into the compression box housing from the reflow oven chamber through the intake port and into the inlet opening of the intake duct and exhaust air out of the outlet opening of the intake duct to the diffuser plate. A method of distributing heated air within a reflow soldering oven is further disclosed.

Abstract: A reflow oven chamber assembly includes a housing disposed within a reflow oven chamber, heating elements disposed in the housing, and compression box assemblies disposed in the housing. The compression box assembly includes a compression box housing having an intake port located adjacent the heating element, an intake duct disposed in the compression box, and a diffuser plate disposed above the intake duct. The intake duct has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the compression box housing and an outlet opening. The compression box assembly draws heated air into the compression box housing from the reflow oven chamber through the intake port and into the inlet opening of the intake duct and exhaust air out of the outlet opening of the intake duct to the diffuser plate. A method of distributing heated air within a reflow soldering oven is further disclosed.

Abstract: A reflow oven chamber assembly that is configured to be installed within a reflow oven chamber of a reflow oven includes a chamber housing disposed within the reflow oven chamber, one or more heating elements disposed in the chamber housing, and one or more compression box assemblies disposed in the chamber housing. The compression box assembly includes a compression box housing having an intake port located adjacent the heating element, an intake duct disposed in the compression box, and a diffuser plate disposed above the intake duct. The intake duct has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the compression box housing and an outlet opening. The compression box assembly is configured to draw heated air into the compression box housing from the reflow oven chamber through the intake port and into the inlet opening of the intake duct and exhaust air out of the outlet opening of the intake duct to the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A reflow oven chamber assembly that is configured to be installed within a reflow oven chamber of a reflow oven includes a chamber housing disposed within the reflow oven chamber, one or more heating elements disposed in the chamber housing, and one or more compression box assemblies disposed in the chamber housing. The compression box assembly includes a compression box housing having an intake port located adjacent the heating element, an intake duct disposed in the compression box, and a diffuser plate disposed above the intake duct. The intake duct has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the compression box housing and an outlet opening. The compression box assembly is configured to draw heated air into the compression box housing from the reflow oven chamber through the intake port and into the inlet opening of the intake duct and exhaust air out of the outlet opening of the intake duct to the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A diffuser plate for a reflow oven includes an upper surface and a plurality of nozzle openings therein. Each of the plurality of nozzle openings has a raised surrounding portion for restricting condensed flux on the upper surface of the diffuser plate from flowing through the nozzles. A drain hole permits condensed flux on the upper surface to flow downward through the plate.

Abstract: A diffuser plate for a reflow oven includes an upper surface and a plurality of nozzle openings therein. Each of the plurality of nozzle openings has a raised surrounding portion for restricting condensed flux on the upper surface of the diffuser plate from flowing through the nozzles. A drain hole permits condensed flux on the upper surface to flow downward through the plate.

Abstract: Flux management systems and methods are provided for filtering vaporized flux from the gas of a reflow soldering oven. A flux management system includes a cooling chamber having a cooling medium through which the gas passes. The vaporized flux condenses on the surfaces of the cooling chamber and drips into a collection pan, thereby preventing it from dripping onto circuit boards passing through the oven. The flux management system may further include a self-cleaning feature that includes a compressed gas, which is allowed to enter the cooling chamber through a solenoid valve. The compressed gas may then be directed through a heater, which increases the temperature of the cooling chamber, thereby causing a decrease in viscosity of the flux, which allows it to flow freely into a drain tube. The flux may then be transported by gravity into a collection container.