Electronics > Manufacturing & Assembly

Oven for baking compoentents?

(1/4) > >>

vespaman:
Hi Guys,

I find that I need to get something for dealing with MSL3-5 components, since purchasing small volumes for each run is super tedious and costly.

I run a very small manufacturing, and really only want entry level. But since it also needs to be baking for some time, I'd like something that has some sort of isolation, and does not heat up the whole house as a bi product.
Open to build/modify something.

I guess someone must have done something similar, but searching for "baking" does not bring the results I'd like... :-)

Or:- alternative, is there some dry cabinet solutions?

How do you deal with this in general?

jmelson:
I have a toaster oven I use for reflow, controlled by a ramp and soak thermocouple controller.  To bake out components and blank boards. I spread them out on the rack and then set the temperature to 50C for 30-60 minutes, and then go to 70C for at least an hour.  This works fine.
Jon

Jackster:
Cheapass way of doing it without buying an oven if you do the assembly yourself...

Get some moisture barrier bags, pull out as many components as you need, and seal the bag with a heat sealer.
You can get or reuse those cards with the moisture level indicators to tell you if you are getting close or have passed the threshold.
Use a desiccant pouch in each bag.

Plus, store the pouches in a box with a half-decent seal. Does not have to be perfect but I use ReallyUsefulStorageBoxes (UK plastic box manufacturer) and a few desiccant pouches in each box.

You will find that you don't have to bake if you do this unless you have level 6 components or leave a bag out too long.


I have some tube bags here that I just fold over the ends and I kid you not they are still under the 5% indicator with just a single desiccant pouch and they are not in a storage box.

Ideally, keep your manufacturing area below 50% RH as well.



I only do this for my own projects of course...  ;)

vespaman:

OK, that is of course a good start - try to keep them dry as long as possible!  I try to avoid moisture sensitive devices, so I only have a few of them (LED's are worst), so the bag trick should be manageable.
I guess the only downside is, that you don't know how much floor life has already been used up when you get the components.

I have never used desiccant bags myself, but I understand that you can bake them (or perhaps need to bake them regardless if they are new or not)? Are you getting new ones, and do you change into new each time you open the bag to take out some components?


I do have one component that arrives in trays, that are MSL3, so I'm not sure if the bags are big enough.

That also goes for the toaster oven, I assume it is a bit too small for a standard tray.  But getting a normal (food) oven has crossed my mind (but they, on the other hand are unnecessary big).

Jackster:
LEDs on full reels and IC trays should arrive in a moisture barrier bag from the factory they were made in.
If you get partial reel or tape, they could have been left open in a warehouse for a few hours to weeks.
Ideally, always buy full when you can.

You might be able to find a small commercial oven on auction or surplus that will keep a good constant temperature.
As for a new one. The ones "made" for the industry are quite expensive. You can go down the route but is it worth it if you can get away with not using it?

That is where I am at the moment.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page