Prototype oven recommendations

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
house "a la carte").

Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
(ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
for it).

(No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)

Thx!
--don

On 9/4/2014 1:02 PM, Don Y wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
> house "a la carte").
>
> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
> for it).
>
> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>
> Thx!
> --don

I have thought these would handle some heavy loads:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/14183/countertop-convection-ovens.html?withinval=14%2C+16&utm_source=webstaurant&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email-Sep4-2014

On 9/4/2014 3:46 PM, hamilton wrote:
> On 9/4/2014 1:02 PM, Don Y wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
>> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
>> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
>> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
>> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
>> house "a la carte").
>>
>> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
>> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
>> for it).
>>
>> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>>
>> Thx!
>> --don
>
> I have thought these would handle some heavy loads:
>
> http://www.webstaurantstore.com/14183/countertop-convection-ovens.html?withinval=14%2C+16&utm_source=webstaurant&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email-Sep4-2014

Notice the temperature adjust is only up to 500�F or 260�C.  That's not 
high enough for some lead free solders.  Then you need to take into 
account the accuracy of the setting so it might be even lower.

-- 

Rick

Hi Rick,

On 9/4/2014 2:36 PM, rickman wrote:
> On 9/4/2014 3:46 PM, hamilton wrote:
>> On 9/4/2014 1:02 PM, Don Y wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
>>> prototype fab. Small boards (non-palletized). Probably just a
>>> couple/few square feet total board area at a time. No exotic
>>> processing, fancy controls, etc. Seldom used -- though I want
>>> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
>>> house "a la carte").
>>>
>>> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
>>> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
>>> for it).
>>>
>>> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>>
>> I have thought these would handle some heavy loads:

[line length]

> Notice the temperature adjust is only up to 500�F or 260�C. That's not
> high enough for some lead free solders. Then you need to take into
> account the accuracy of the setting so it might be even lower.

Exactly.  And hysteresis in the controls, etc.  I'm not a hobbyist
so pinching pennies isn't necessary.  OTOH, I'm not looking to
sacrifice my *garage* to PCB fab!  :-/

Speaking of ovens... timer says the cheesecake is ready!  Gotta adjust
my priorities, accordingly!  :>

On 9/4/2014 3:46 PM, hamilton wrote:
> On 9/4/2014 1:02 PM, Don Y wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
>> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
>> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
>> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
>> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
>> house "a la carte").
>>
>> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
>> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
>> for it).
>>
>> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>>
>> Thx!
>> --don
>
> I have thought these would handle some heavy loads:
>
> http://www.webstaurantstore.com/14183/countertop-convection-ovens.html?withinval=14%2C+16&utm_source=webstaurant&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email-Sep4-2014
>
>
Dunno about the ovens, but the supplier is great.  Those 
bottom-of-the-barrel eBay reflow ovens get poor reviews.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

-- 
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net

On Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:02:34 -0700, Don Y <this@is.not.me.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
>prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
>couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
>processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
>it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
>house "a la carte").
>
>Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
>(ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
>for it).
>
>(No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>
>Thx!
>--don

The advanced controller plus hand characterized toaster oven approach is
tough to beat for that use case.  The characterised aspect is rather
important for best results.

?-)
 

On 04/09/14 20:02, Don Y wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
> house "a la carte").
>
> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
> for it).
>
> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
>
> Thx!
> --don

For the occasional board, you might like to look at
https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/59
for their experiences using different techniques.

I've had some success with their "skillet" method, except I used
a �5 metal saucepan with a glass lid (i.e. no PTFE) on a gas hob,
2mm of sand to spread/diffuse the heat, and monitored the
sand/board temperature with a handheld non-contact thermometer.

For small single-sided SMD boards including 100-way mezzanine
connectors, small 820uH inductors, leaded ICs with 0.3mm pads
on 0.65mm pitch, I was /surprised at how good/ the results were.

I don't see any issues with using larger boards, other than
the size of the saucepan.

As with all techniques (and probably different components)
you'll need to hone your technique with a sacrificial example.

On Thursday, September 4, 2014 3:02:34 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
> house "a la carte").
> 
> Operating it in a home environment so nothing beyond "220"
> (ideally, repurpose a stove/dryer or other "dedicated" service
> for it).
> 
> (No, I'm not keen on the EZ-Bake/"toaster oven" approach!)
> 
> Thx!
> --don

Hi Don - One of our neighbors is extremely happy with this one:
http://tinyurl.com/dn37gm
Good luck,
Best Regards, Dave

Hi Dave,

On 9/5/2014 5:28 AM, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Thursday, September 4, 2014 3:02:34 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:

>> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD
>> prototype fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a
>> couple/few square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic
>> processing, fancy controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want
>> it available "when I need it" (instead of sending off to a fab
>> house "a la carte").

> Hi Don - One of our neighbors is extremely happy with this one:
> http://tinyurl.com/dn37gm

ROTFL!  No, VERY sore subject!  SWMBO has been increasingly
hinting that I build a wood-fired one for the back yard.  As
we don't eat it often enough to justify that effort, I counter
that we could simply have them shipped here from Chi-town and
come out greatly ahead!  As well as much better quality!  :>

(building a wood fire surely requires a fair bit of "planning
ahead";  why not PHONE AHEAD and just wait for the FedEx guy to
show up with one??  :> )

On Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:32:17 -0700, Don Y wrote:

> Hi Dave,
> 
> On 9/5/2014 5:28 AM, Dave Nadler wrote:
>> On Thursday, September 4, 2014 3:02:34 PM UTC-4, Don Y wrote:
> 
>>> I'm looking for recommendations for a small-ish oven for SMD prototype
>>> fab.  Small boards (non-palletized).  Probably just a couple/few
>>> square feet total board area at a time.  No exotic processing, fancy
>>> controls, etc.  Seldom used -- though I want it available "when I need
>>> it" (instead of sending off to a fab house "a la carte").
> 
>> Hi Don - One of our neighbors is extremely happy with this one:
>> http://tinyurl.com/dn37gm
> 
> ROTFL!  No, VERY sore subject!  SWMBO has been increasingly hinting that
> I build a wood-fired one for the back yard.  As we don't eat it often
> enough to justify that effort, I counter that we could simply have them
> shipped here from Chi-town and come out greatly ahead!  As well as much
> better quality!  :>
> 
> (building a wood fire surely requires a fair bit of "planning ahead"; 
> why not PHONE AHEAD and just wait for the FedEx guy to show up with
> one??  :> )

Uh -- I don't think FedEx would ship a wood fire.  They're kinda weird 
that way.

Seriously, though, if you had good enough temperature sensing you could 
probably do decent reflow in a pizza oven, as long as it has hot spots and 
cool spots.

-- 

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com