Parallax Solder Pot Controller
RoHS Customization Required BASIC Stamp Control
Appeared in the 2006 Product Catalog.
 All Parallax products will be lead-free by early 2006 in order to comply with the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations. All of the BASIC Stamp modules are manufactured in the USA at our Rocklin, California facility.
Part of the process of manufacturing is to dip the BASIC Stamp legs in a solder pot, which connects them to the PCB’s pads. With our chosen lead-free solder (a tin-copper highly eutectic formula) it is important to maintain a consistent solder temperature of 520° F. Additionally, we need to heat the pot quickly in the morning and turn it off in the evening. Built-in temperature controls just don’t work – they overshoot and undershoot from the set-point. The combination of temperature, solder type and environment determine the shine on our BASIC Stamp legs, making this an important step in the process.
Our technical support staff met the challenge for a custom solution. The finished solder pot controller consists of a BS2px24, a 120VAC/50A Crydom Solid State Relay, user interface Buttons, LED Temperature Display and Rotary Encoder enclosed in a metal box. A t hermocouple was installed in the side of the solder pot in a stainless steel probe enclosure. The entire BASIC Stamp circuit was built on a BASIC Stamp Super Carrier Board.
Our manufacturing staff holds the red button and turns the encoder until they reach the desired temperature. Through proportional control the BS2px modulates the temperature to the desired set-point. When it is reached a buzzer sounds so our staff knows the pot is ready to dip BASIC Stamp modules. |