This feature is invaluable if you have different types of PCBs to assemble. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.Īn advantage of more higher-end reflow ovens is the ability to program several custom thermal profiles and save them in the oven’s software. I have used both a $50 “reflow oven” AKA a toaster oven and more sophisticated and expensive reflow ovens. Typical solder reflow thermal profile Save Time with Thermal Profilesĭepending on your budget, you can buy a reflow oven for $50, $50,000 or anywhere in between. Many companies sell reflow ovens, but let’s talk about a few factors you should consider before your purchase. These temperatures should be low enough to ensure the PCB components are not damaged, yet high enough to melt the solder paste. The four main temperature zones of the thermal profile include preheat, soak, reflow, and cooling. But sometimes the thermal profile must be modified for the best soldering performance. Electronics manufacturers provide recommended thermal profiles that serve as a good starting point. The temperature of the hot air in the oven follows a thermal profile that provides the optimum heat and cooling rate for the given solder paste and components. The solder reflow process is based on convection heating, similar to that in your home oven. Finally, the PCB is placed inside the reflow oven to begin the heating process. The components are placed in position and are usually held in place by the adhesive nature of the solder paste. To begin, a solder paste mixture containing both solder and flux is applied with a stencil to the fabricated PCB. Reflow soldering can quickly assemble high-density PCBs that may pose manual hand soldering challenges to even the most experienced engineers and PCB technicians. You can turn your old toaster oven into a DIY soldering reflow oven with just a microcontroller and some thermocouples. This post explores the factors involved in choosing a reflow oven that is right for you. While the ambitious hobbyist may choose to build a toaster oven “reflow oven”, many businesses can save time and resources by purchasing a commercial reflow oven. If you have assembled dense PCBs with many small surface-mount components or used ball grid array (BGA) devices in your designs, you have undoubtedly come across solder reflow ovens. Whether you’re an electrical engineer, like me, or an electronics hobbyist, solder reflow ovens enable fast and convenient printed circuit board (PCB) assembly.
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