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VHS Reflow Oven
VHS now has it's own SMD Reflow Oven It's sitting in the soldering section (looking like a mild mannered toaster oven)…
The oven is based the design and controller found here: http://www.whizoo.com/reflowoven
It is running v2.0 of the software that you can find here: https://github.com/engineertype/ControLeo2 The only thing I added was a VHS splash screen when the controller starts up.
While I didn't document the build of this oven, it is very similar to the one I built for myself and you can find the Instructable for it right here: Make S SMD Reflow Oven
The one feature I added to this oven was the addition of an interior light so you can see your board while it bakes. I found, that with my oven, I was often using a flashlight to watch the process. This is much more convenient.
Hell.. While you are at it you should check out my Instructable on setting up and using a solder paste dispenser. We don't have one at the Space (yet) but it has some basic info on SMD soldering using the oven:
Basic Instructions:
- Turn on power using red POWER switch located on lower right side of oven.
- Turn on the light (if so desired) using the LIGHT switch which is located above the POWER switch.
- Place your ready to bake boards on the tray (hopefully located inside or near the oven)
- Slide the try into the oven, try to center tray in the depth of the oven
- Close the oven door.
- The LCD panel should show “Start Reflow” on the top line and the current oven temperature on the bottom line.
- Gently press the GREEN button located to the right of the LCD.
- The oven will start the bake cycle.
- It starts with a PRESOAK phase
- Then it goes through a SOAK cycle
- Next it run through the REFLOW cycle.
- Once it hits the required REFLOW temperature it holds it for 40 seconds (this is when the solder melts and the various SMD parts settle into place)
- Once the REFLOW cycle is complete the controller shuts off the heat and opens the door.
- Once the oven has cooled to 100C it is safe to remove your board (avoid touching it before this so the solder has time to harden) Note that you need to use tweezers as the boards will be hot… Really really hot… Like burn your friggin fingers even though you should know better hot….
- Once the oven has cooled to 50C the oven door now closes. This is a better time to remove your PCB
- Close the door and turn off the oven if you are done.
- If you have another bake to do then you need to wait till the oven temperature drops to 50C before you can start another bake cycle.
- If you want to cancel a running bake cycle then press the YELLOW button (or just shut off the POWER)