PRE-HEATER LATCH AND SEAL MECHANISM FOR WAVE SOLDER MACHINE AND RELATED METHOD

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A wave solder machine configured to perform a wave solder operation on an electronic substrate, the wave solder machine comprising:
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 pre-heating station and the wave soldering station, the tunnel having a substantially oxygen-free environment, wherein the pre-heating station includes at least one pre-heater including
a support frame assembly forming part of the tunnel,a heater assembly supported by the support frame assembly, the heater assembly being slidably coupled to the support frame assembly between an operational position and a non-operational position, andat least one seal disposed between the heater assembly and the support frame assembly, the at least one seal providing 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.