Professional Grade Reflow Ovens

[Time]

I have a bit of money to spend on a professional reflow oven.  This is not for production but for low volume prototyping.  The problem is that I have no idea where to even begin researching.  What brands? What models?  What key features can I expect on a 2000 USD budget?  Things of this nature.

If anyone can help me with this via a discussion here it would be much appreciated!

[T4P]

2000USD? Define "professional"

For about 2000 your best bets are the ones from China

If you do not need a big one, the T-962 from aliexpress is very good value at 269$ (Once again, if this is just prototyping on your own, a hacked IR oven is always better and cheaper)

At the same time a larger one would be the Aoyue HHL3000

[Time]

Yes, I found that model just by googling.  A lot of places show ovens but do not have any prices listed directly.  You have to request a quote.

I realize hacking an oven is cheaper but I work for a large corporation in a professional working environment with a lot of red tape.  I probably won't be the only person to use this oven and our labs are subjected to audits.  I need it to be a standard piece of gear.

[lowimpedance]

Try Novastar, might be a bit more than 2k (but not much more!).
Depends on how basic you want to go.

http://www.ddmnovastar.com/reflow-ovens

[bga mods]

ive got the T-962C in US stock, this is the model:

http://www.diy-buy.com/buy-infrared-ic-heater-t962c-reflow-oven-intelligent-bga-rework-station-led-heater-2500w-400x600mm_p9132.html

let me know if its any good for you, i will match their price from that link but mine will have no import duty and will be coming direct from the US.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Steer clear of T962 - you'd be better off with a toaster oven with a simple power controller.

[Psi]

Interesting, can you elaborate on the issues with the T962?

[tinhead]

Interesting, can you elaborate on the issues with the T962?

in T962/962A there is no hot air curculation, no pre-heater on bottom side, so it does have
early IR ovens issues like "burned devices in the middle and not soldered elsewhere".

When you add 1-2 IR lamps on bottom side and/or hot air circulation you can definitely use
it even for ROHS BGA soldering (i'm using such tuned-up T962 for prototypes, max 484 balls).

Generally spoken all IR ovens are bit tricky, therefore don't expect wonder from a cheap chinese product.
I've tested the Elector oven, it was the same piece of crap (sorry Elector - expensive piece of crap)
as well the T962A (bigger is not always better - too large "cold" zones).

Btw, many ppl opening window or using big industiral fan outside to blow away the toxic air (!!!),
this is a however really bad idea. I do have special room for that, with no random cold air circulation,
therefore all the random issues are reduced to zero.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Consistency is the biggest problem, especially between first and subsequent uses in a batch.
Which is why I've always used the eyeball method, for which a cheap toaster with a good window & a light shining into it is as good as a controlled cheapo oven.
 

[Time]

What if I placed the oven in a fume hood?  Would this cause any cold/hot spotting problems?  The air flow would be steady for the most part.

[Time]

Try Novastar, might be a bit more than 2k (but not much more!).
Depends on how basic you want to go.

http://www.ddmnovastar.com/reflow-ovens

Thanks for the suggestion.  I actually just requested a quote right before I read this.

[tinhead]

What if I placed the oven in a fume hood? 

oh well, you will have to try this out.

In principle everything with controled or no air circulation will be good. More important is to spend a buck for
small fan for inside to allow the hot air to circulate, when you think about BGAs then preheater on bottom side
is good idea (small, thin BGA with let say up to 256 balls are not issue, hot air will be enough).

[Time]

I don't think I would pay for an oven without circulation...seems like a standard thing to me.  i.e. : http://www.ddmnovastar.com/reflow-ovens

[plex]

The price is a little higher than you want but check this out:
http://www.eurocircuits.com/index.php/new-smd-reflow-equipment
Made in europe, well designed and well supported.  PC software to define and control reflow temp curves. Separate bottom and top heaters control(essential for 2 sided smd assembly) and several other features.
I was looking at the cheap chinese reflow ovens too but after seeing a teardown of one I opted for something better made.
Regards

[Time]

Excellent, thank you.

[Devian]

Consistency is the biggest problem, especially between first and subsequent uses in a batch.
Which is why I've always used the eyeball method, for which a cheap toaster with a good window & a light shining into it is as good as a controlled cheapo oven.

I thought IR would give more even heat distribution, and hot air will cause more shift or solder open, never thought about how about hot air and IR heating together.

[Devian]

I don't think I would pay for an oven without circulation...seems like a standard thing to me.  i.e. : http://www.ddmnovastar.com/reflow-ovens

Thank you for your excellent sharing .

[ESTechnical]

ESTechnical make controller upgrades for the T962 and T962A reflow ovens that transform these cheap reflow ovens... The controller upgrades completely replace the original controller.

The ESTechnical reflow oven controller offers:
PID control of the temperature
Ramp up, soak, peak and cooling stages in the reflow profile are easily adjusted
Parametric setup of reflow profiles
Save and recall of up to 30 different profile settings
Adjustable fan speed during reflow (provides the much needed air movement in the oven)
Easy to use menu

You can find out more about the controllers here: http://www.estechnical.co.uk/reflow-controllers - the complete upgrade packages offer the most features and are the same as the parts we fit to the T962A.

We also sell ready to use upgraded T962A reflow ovens for those who want to buy a ready to run reflow oven rather than fitting an upgrade - see http://www.estechnical.co.uk/reflow-ovens

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, we're happy to help with low cost reflow soldering setups.

Ed

[zapta]

Interesting, can you elaborate on the issues with the T962?

I have one for 6 months or so and love it. It's the T962 with the glass window in the front. Got it new from ebay US seller. Did so far 25 or so boards and it worked very well, easy to operate and you see the progress on a graphical display. I am using leadfull paste and using profile #2 (it has 8 profiles, the last few are programable but I didn't have to).  It's for hobby use at home, I am doing one board at a time and it takes about 7 minutes per board.  Ian from DP has a youtube video about a similar one. I am using his advise and place the board on two 'spacer' pcbs to raise it about the metal plate.  The only issue I noticed are the buttons which are not well debounced but not a big deal for me.

[Carrington]

Maybe a cheap toaster and this cheap PLC?

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6168202718.html

This PLC works pretty well.

[Carrington]

ALTEC PC410 PC APP.

[Carrington]

EN. Manual (see the attached file).

[Carrington]

Also you will need a thermocouple and a SSR. 

[mcinque]

What about ATTEN ovens?



http://www.batronix.com/shop/soldering/ovens.html

[zapta]

What about ATTEN ovens?



http://www.batronix.com/shop/soldering/ovens.html

Do they run on 110V?  With hot air soldering stations for example, it's difficult to find 110V Atten unit.