[0001] Process and Apparatus for reflowing Solder of Solder Plated Substrates and Substrates
formed thereby.
[0002] This invention relates to a process and apparatus for reflowing solder of solder
plated substrates and to substrates formed thereby and relates especially to a process
and apparatus for reflowing solder plated flexible circuit substrates with negligible
loss of heat transfer fluid.
[0003] Several methods have been disclosed in the prior art for effecting solder reflow
operations on printed circuits through the use of hot saturated vapors. One such method
is briefly described in an article entitled "Solvent Vapor Solder Reflow" by E. G.
Dingman, appearing in the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin. Vol. 13, No. 3, August
1970, at page 639. Dingman discloses use of boiling solvents to rapidly and selectively
apply heat to small areas having high thermal conductivity to enable solder rework
operations with materials and components that are heat sensitive. It seems readily
apparent that Dingman does not address the problems of handling large and continuous
flexible circuit webs or loss of the boiling solvent.
[0004] One method for continuously handling printed circuits is disclosed in U. S. patent
3,866,307. In this method individual circuit boards are loaded onto a conveyor and
passed through a receptacle containing hot saturated vapors of an expensive fluid
and a wave soldering font.
[0005] Individual circuit boards are heated by the vapors and skim the solder wave at a
low point of the conveyor catenary. One problem resulting from the approach is that
solder tends to pool at the low point of the catenary. Another problem is that despite
attempts to retain the expensive fluid, substantial quantities are dragged out of
the receptacle along with the conveyor and the circuit boards themselves.
[0006] Another method disclosed in U.S. patent 3,904,102, attempts to reduce loss of the
expensive fluid by use of a less expensive vapor blanket atop the primary vapor zone.
One embodiment of this method utilizes batch processing techniques. A group of printed
circuits is lowered into a receptacle containing the primary vapor zone and the secondary
vapor blanket. In another embodiment a conveyor carries the individual circuits into
the vapor zone. However, in both embodiments significant quantities of the expensive
primary fluid are still lost. Moreover, the second embodiment continues to suffer
from solder pooling effects. The first embodiment obviously is not readily adaptable
for handling continuous webs of printed circuits.
[0007] A somewhat related application of the use of hot vapors is disclosed in U. S. patent
3,737,499. The method is used for modifying plastic surfaces on articles of manufacture.
An individual plastic article is inserted into a multicompartmented chamber containing
one or more vapor regions. The heated vapors impinge on the surfaces of the plastic
articles and dissolve at least a molecular layer to remove any surface blemishes and
produce a smooth, continuous finish. Like other procedures mentioned above, this also
suffers loss of the vapor material through web dragout.
[0008] Problems of the following kind are ameliorated by the invention. The present invention
implements solder reflow operations on a continuous, flexible circuit web without
solder pooling. Distortion of the web dimensions during solder reflow operations is
substantially eliminated.
[0009] The present invention substantially reduces the possibility of dielectric deterioration
caused by the solder reflow process.
[0010] Solder slivers produced during etching operations are substantially eliminated.
[0011] The present invention reveals discontinuities in the printed circuit which may have
been bridged by solder during the solder plating process.
[0012] The present invention indicates the solderability of the flexible circuits, facilitates
visual inspection of the flexible circuits, and improves the appearance of the flexible
circuits.
[0013] The invention can significantly reduce, if not virtually eliminate, loss of the expensive
working fluid resulting from web dragout, diffusion and convection.
[0014] The invention is realized in an illustrative embodiment of a process and machine
for processing a reflowable solder-plated flexible circuit web wherein the flexible
circuit web is introduced into a first chamber having a vapor diffusion trap at an
entry port and a liquid seal at an exit port. The temperature of the flexible circuit
web is controlled in the first chamber to a point below the solder eutectic temperature.
Moreover, provision is included in the first chamber for positioning the flexible
circuit web in a planar orientation for entry into a second chamber, containing a
condensing vapor, at a point below the vapor- air interface. This condensing vapor
is confined in the second chamber by the liquid seal. Upon entry into the second chamber
the flexible circuit web is exposed to the condensing vapor for a time sufficient
to melt and reflow the solder while maintaining on the flexible circuit web a condensate
film to aid in subsequently evaporatively cooling the flexible circuit web below the
solder eutectic temperature. Residual traces of condensate on the flexible circuit
web are recaptured and thereafter the flexible circuit web is removed through an exit
port.
[0015] Accordingly, it is one aspect of the present invention that the flexible circuit
web undergoes a preheating operation during passage through the liquid seal.
[0016] Another aspect is that the liquid seal confines vapors of the expensive working fluid
internal to the machine and keeps the solder below the eutectic temperature prior
to entry into the condensing vapors.
[0017] Yet another aspect of the present invention is that the flexible circuit web is positioned
at low web . tension in a planar orientation during passage through the vapor zone
thereby virtually eliminating solder pooling on the web.
[0018] Another aspect is that oxidizing environments are avoided during solder reflow operations.
[0019] Yet another aspect of the present invention is that flux application and its subsequent
removal are avoided.
[0020] A further aspect is that a sufficient vapor condensate film is retained on the flexible
circuit web after exiting from the vapor zone to materially aid in evaporatively cooling
the reflowed solder below its eutectic temperature before mechanically contacting
surfaces which might redistribute the reflowed solder.
[0021] Still a further aspect of the present invention is that the liquid seal at the entry
side of the vapor chamber and a plurality of reheat rollers and diffusion traps at
the exit side of the vapor chamber prevent significant loss of the expensive working
fluid through web dragout.
[0022] An even further aspect is that the plurality of reheat rollers and diffusion traps
facilitate recapture and reuse of any residual traces of condensate on the continuous,
flexible circuit web.
[0023] Yet a further aspect of the present invention is
- that the machine can be advantageously elevated on its output side between an angle
of 10 to 30 degrees to achieve a range of planar orientations of the web with respect
to horizontal, to facilitate return of the recaptured working fluid to its reservoir,
and to control the amount of solder slump. Specifically, the machine parameters, including
slope, may be adjusted advantageously to process a wide variety of flexible circuits
over a wide range of throughput speeds.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0024] The aforementioned aspects of the invention as well as others will be better understood
upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims, taken
in conjunction with the attached drawings of an illustrative embodiment in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible circuit web having a number of electrically conductive
patterns thereon and plated*through holes therethrough;
FIG. 2A is a simplified embodiment illustrating the solder reflow process;
FIG. 2B defines the shading code used in FIG. 2A and all similarly shaded FIGS.;
FIG. 3 is an alternate simplified embodiment illustrating the solder reflow process;
'
FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of a solder reflow machine used in practicing
the process, in particular, illustrating the slope adjustability feature and the threading
aid feature;
FIG. 5A is a sectional view along line 5A-5A of FIG. 4 illustrating the various chambers
and rollers utilized in the solder reflow machine to practice the process;
FIG. 5B is a sectional view along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A illustrating the doghouse-like
cooling arrangement;
FIG. 6A illustrates the main condenser adjustability, slope adjustment, and web tension
control and drive system features;
FIGS. 6B and 6C are partial cutaway views further showing condenser adjustability;
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view illustrating wiper arrangements used at both the
entry and exit ports of the machine to further aid in recapture of the working fluid;
and
FIG. 8 is a silicon-:controlled rectifier circuit for maintaining uniform heating
temperatures and for minimizing the temperature of the heating elements to thereby
increase the lifetime of the working fluid.
Detailed Description
[0025] A flexible circuit web 100, as shown in FIG. 1, is comprised of a dielectric substrate
101 onto which is bonded a patterned conductive foil 102. The patterned conductive
foil 102 is utilized to effect electrical circuit connections among a plurality of
electric circuit components (not shown). Conductive foil 102 can be advantageously
bonded on one or both sides of flexible circuit web 100. On double•↑sided circuits,
the patterns of conductive foil 102 are generally interconnected, for example, by
one or more plated-through holes 103.
[0026] In manufacturing flexible printed circuits, a solder coating 104 is placed atop conductive
foil 102 for several reasons. First, in numerous applications, solder coating 104
is used as an etch resist. In the etch resist application of solder coating 104, oftentimes
underetching occurs near the edges of conductive foil 102. This leaves a solder lip
projecting outwardly from conductive foil 102. Such lips are susceptible to fracture
and the formation of slivers during handling or subsequent processing. These slivers
of solder can cause shorts between electrical circuits, thereby causing circuit failure.
Second, solder coating 104 inhibits oxidation and corrosion of conductive foil 102
to reduce the possibility of circuit failure through these mechanisms. Third, solder
coating 104 enhances solder wetting of the circuit during subsequent solder assembly
operations.
[0027] Implementation of reflow soldering, by virtue of the surface tension characteristics
of solder, causes these solder lips, when molten, to draw up onto conductive foil
102. A further advantage of reflow soldering is that on double-sided circuits, solder
sometimes bridges gaps in conductive foil 102. These solder bridges may disguise defects
in the circuit which might lead to subsequent failure. Solder reflow eliminates these
bridges and exposes possible circuit defects.
[0028] Solder reflow also provides a means for perceiving solder wetability, and consequently
provides a measure of acceptability for further processing. An additional advantage
of solder reflow is that it aids in improving the cosmetic appearance of the circuit,
thereby enhancing customer acceptability.
[0029] Illustrated in FIG. 2A is a simplified embodiment of a solder reflow machine 110.
This simplified version facilitates an understanding of the details of the solder
reflow process. The solder reflow machine 110 is comprised of an enclosure 120 having
a top 121, a bottom 122, and a pair of sidewalls 123 and 124. The remaining two sidewalls
are not shown in order to facilitate this description. A baffle 125 extends upwardly
from an intermediate point of bottom 122 to a point spaced apart from top 121. Another
baffle 126 extends downwardly from an intermediate point of top 121 to a point spaced
apart from bottom 122. Baffles 125 and 126 separate enclosure 120 into four definable
compartments. These compartments are hereinafter referred to, in the course of this
conceptual description, as first and second sumps, 127 and 128, and first and second
chambers, 130 and 131. Chamber 130 spans sump 127 and a portion of sump 128. Chamber
131 spans the remainder of sump 128. Each of chambers 130 and 131 has a port 132 and
133, respectively, associated therewith near top 121. Set apart from bottom 122 in
sump 128 is positioning roller 129.
[0030] A single noncorrosive working fluid 140 having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure
sufficiently in excess of the liquidus temperature of the solder to be reflowed is
contained in sumps 127 and 128 which, as noted previously, are separated from one
another by baffle 125. Baffle 125 is of sufficient height to keep the working fluid
140 contained in sumps 127 and 128 generally separated. Howeven. baffle 125 is not
so high that a portion of working fluid 140 in sump 128 cannot spill over into sump
127. Heating elements 141 located in sump 127 boil working fluid 140 to produce a
vapor more dense than air. The resulting vapor forms a vapor zone 142 which partially
fills chamber 130. The height of vapor zone 142 is controlled in chamber 130 by a
plurality of condenser elements 143 and 144 along sidewall 123 and baffle 126, respectively.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, flexible circuit web 100 passes over feed roller 150,
enters port 133 in chamber 131, passes into working fluid 140, and is routed about
roller 129. The temperature of working fluid 140 in sump 128 is maintained below the
solder eutectic temperature of solder coating 104 on web 100 by temperature control
element 138. However, the temperature is high enough to perform some preheating of
web 100.
[0032] After passage around roller 129, web 100 with solder coating 104 thereon passes into
vapor zone 142. The heated vapors in vapor zone 142 condense onto the relatively cool
web, thereby effectively heating web 100 to a temperature above the solder liquidus
temperature, melting solder coating 104 and causing it to reflow. During reflow, web
100 is moved in a planar orientation at a selectable angle with respect to a horizontal
plane. This orientation ensures that solder coating 104, after reflow, is maintained
at a generally uniform thickness while in its molten state.
[0033] Following passage through vapor zone 142, flexible circuit web 100 passes through
cooling element 139, diffusion trap 134, and out through port 132 in first chamber
130 where it passes over a cooled discharge roller 151 to a take-up reel (not shown).
The cooling of discharge roller 151 is accomplished in a well? known manner and, hence,
the details of such cooling are not specifically illustrated. To prevent solder smearing,
same form of cooling is desirable prior to web 100 being brought into contact with
discharge roller 151. In this embodiment, after passage through vapor zone 142 sufficient
quantities of vapor condensate are retained on web 100 such that during the remainder
of the time web 100 is contained within chamber 130 the condensate film evaporatively
cools the reflowed solder below its eutectic temperature.
[0034] Escape of any vapors of working fluid 140 through ports 132 and 133 is essentially
prevented by vapor diffusion traps 134 and 135 positioned near ports 132 and 133,
respectively. Diffusion traps 134 and 135 are shown as simplified structures in FIGS.
2A and 3 so as not to overcomplicate the description at this point. A more specific
structure of diffusion traps 134 and 135 will be described in reference to FIG. 5A.
[0035] In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3, flexible circuit web 100 is fed over
roller 150 through port 132 in sidewall 123 and through diffusion trap 134 into chamber
130. Upon entry of web 100 into chamber 130, it is exposed to vapor zone 142. The
hot vapors melt solder coating 104 on web 100, causing the solder to reflow. Following
passage through vapor zone 142, web 100 passes through liquid seal 137 at exit port
136 separating chamber 130 from sump 128. Once in sump 128, web 100 is further cooled
by passage through cooling elements 145.
[0036] To insure that web 100 is maintained in a planar orientation during its passage through
vapor zone 142, positioning roller 129 in sump 128 is used in conjunction with roller
150 to control the orientation of web 100 during this phase of the process. It should
be noted that in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A similar positioning effects
are achieved with comparable roller 151.
[0037] Additional cooling is provided following passage of web 100 around roller 129, so
that upon emerging from sump 128, solder coating 104 on web 100 is well below its
euctetic temperature. At this point, web 100 is withdrawn from chamber 131 through
diffusion trap 135 and out through port 133 where it passes over roller 151 and is
taken up by a take-up reel (not shown).
[0038] Regardless of which embodiment is used, these embodiments being shown in FIGS. 2A
and 3, one significant feature is that during passage of web 100 through vapor zone
142, web 100 is maintained in a planar orientation. This orientation insures a relatively
uniform thickness of the layer of solder coating 104 on web 100 following the reflow
process. Another feature is that the use of liquid seal 137 between sumps 127 and
128 significantly aids in preventing the loss of vapors of working fluid 140. Diffusion
traps 134 and 135 at entry and exit ports 132 and 133 further aid in reducing the
amount of loss of working fluid 140.
[0039] The preferred embodiment for machine 110 used in implementing the solder reflow process
is shown in FIG. 4 in outline form. Specifically illustrated is apparatus on machine
110 for aiding in the threading of flexible circuit web 100 through the various chambers
in the machine. Also specifically shown is apparatus which facilitates elevation of
one end of machine 110 with respect to an opposite end thereof which apparatus controls
the angle between a plane containing web 100 and a horizontal plane.
[0040] To aid in threading flexible circuit web 100 through the various chambers in machine
110, there are affixed to sidewall 123 a pair of pulleys 154 and 155. Idler pulleys
156 and 157 at the end of roller 150 and pulleys 160 and 161 at the end of roller
151, are affixed to top 121. Additional idler pulleys 158 and 159 are affixed to sidewall
124. Similar idler pulleys (not shown) are affixed to the ends of rollers 129, 167,
168, and 169 internal to machine 110.
[0041] Looped around pulleys 154, 156, 158, and 160 is a continuous, flexible transport
member 162, and looped around pulleys 155, 157, 159, and 161 is a similar transport
member 163. Transport members 162 and 163 may be advantageously, for example, continuous
cables, chains or the like.
[0042] In order to drive transport members 162 and 163 there is coupled to pulleys 154 and
155 a shaft 149 which has affixed thereon, at an intermediate point along its length,
a drive pulley 147. Motor 146, mounted on sidewall 123, is coupled to drive pulley
147 by drive belt 148. When motor 146 is actuated, shaft 149 rotates, and this rotation
forces transport members 162 and 163 to threadably traverse the various chambers in
machine 110.
[0043] Coupled to transport members 162 and 163 is bar 165. Bar 165, when fastened to transport
members 162 and 163, enables flexible circuit web 100 to be looped therearound and
fastened onto itself. Upon actuation of motor 146, web 100 is carried via transport
members 162 and 163 and bar 165 through machine 110. Once flexible circuit web 100
is threadably inserted through the various chambers in machine 110, motor 146 is stopped
and bar 165 can be removed from transport members 162 and 163. Thereafter, flexible
circuit web 100 can be brought into engagement with a take-up reel (not shown). Once
web 100 is threadably inserted into machine 110, the solder reflow process becomes
continuous merely by fastening one flexible circuit web 100 to another by means such
as stapling the two webs together.
[0044] To facilitate elevation of one end of machine 110, for a purpose to become apparent
subsequently, machine 110 has bottom edge 192 affixed to frame 170 by pivot 171. Elevation
strut 172, pivotally mounted to opposite bottom edge 191 of machine 110, permits raising
edge 191 relative to edge 192. Adjustment of the slope between an angle of 10 to 30
degrees is readily implemented by changing the attachment position of strut 172 to
frame 170 along a plurality of apertures 173. Once the appropriate elevation is selected,
strut 172 is held juxtaposed the appropriate aperture 173 by a holding pin (not shown).
[0045] The preferred embodiment of machine 110 is shown in cross sectional view in FIG.
5A. Flexible circuit web 100 enters machine 110 by downwardly deflecting wiper assembly
177 at entry port 133. Wiper assembly 177, similar to that shown in FIG. 7, along
with baffles 180 and 181 and the close spacing along diffusion trap 135, virtually
prevent escape of any working fluid 140 from machine 110 at the point of entry of
flexible circuit web 100. Following passage through diffusion trap 135, web 100 is
immersed into fluid 140 in sump 128 and is passed around roller 129. Roller 129 positions
web 100 for entry into chamber 130 so that web 100 will encounter vapor zone 142 in
a planar orientation below the vapor air interface. Moreover, temperature control
element 138 controls the temperature of fluid 140 so that it preheats solder coating
104 on web 100 to just below the solder eutectic temperature. In the event the temperature
of fluid 140 is sufficiently high so as to generate any vapors, these vapors, upon
exposure to diffusion trap 135, are condensed into liquid form. Consequently, troughs
195 are provided at lower ends of diffusion trap 135 so that any recondensed vapors
are returned to sump 128 rather than forming on web 100.
[0046] After passing around roller 129, web 100 is routed through passageway 136 separating
sump 128 from vapor zone 142. Passageway 136 is formed by baffle 126 which extends
from top 121 downwardly to a point spaced apart from bottom 122. To preclude escape
of vapors from chamber 130, the fluid in sump 128 is maintained at a level just above
passageway 136. Hence, web 100 enters chamber 130 through liquid seal 137.
[0047] Vapor zone 142 in chamber 130 is generated by boiling fluid 140 in sump 127 by heating
elements 141. The temperature of heating elements 141 is controlled in order to maintain
fluid 140 in contact with them at a nearly uniform temperature. This is effected by
making heating elements 141 such that they have a uniform resistance per unit of length.
This uniform resistance ensures that a proportionate reduction in power will produce
a proportionate reduction in heat flux. The reduction in heat flux results in fewer
hot spots being formed in fluid 140 and this, in turn, improves the usable lifetime
of fluid 140.
[0048] Control of the height of the vapor air intertace is effected by condenser elements
143 and 144 positioned along enclosing surfaces of chamber 130 containing vJpor zone
142. The location of condenser elements 143 and 144, which elements are adjustable
as shown most clearly in FIGS. 6B and 6C, along with the elevation angle of bottom
edge 191 (Fig. 4) of machine 110 and the speed of travel of web 100 fixes the time
of exposure of solder coating 104 on web 100 to vapor zone 142.
[0049] Baffles 182 and 183 are positioned just below the vapor air interface to decrease
the amount of convection air interacting with soldering coating 104 during its passage
through vapor zone 142. This results in a more uniform exposure of web 100 to the
hot vapors of vapor zone 142 and this in turn results in an improved cosmetic appearance
of flexible circuit web 100 because the presence of air in the vicinity of the reflowed
solder tends to oxidize the solder thereby dulling the finish. -In order to prevent
any droplets of fluid 140 from entering vapor zone 142, a demister unit 197 is provided
in sump 127.
[0050] During the passage of flexible circuit web 100 through vapor zone 142, the hot vapors
heat solder coating 104 above its liquidus temperature causing the solder to reflow.
Since web 100 is maintained in a planar orientation during this passage the effects
of solder slumping are reduced and solder coating 104 is provided with a mere uniform
distribution. Moreover, by controlling the trancit time and planar angle of web 100
as it passes through vapor zone 142, sufficient condensate is allowed to form on web
100.
[0051] The formation of this condensate materially aids In the cooling of web 100 as it
passes between upper cundensei element 184 and lower condenser element 185. Cooling
at Lhis point is desirable in order to bring the temperature of solder coating 104
below its eutectic temperature prior to its being brought into contact with roller
167.
[0052] Upper condenser element 184, as shown in FIG. 5B, has a doghouse-like shape so that
any condensate driven off web 100 onto this condenser is prevented from dripping back
onto web 100. To achieve this effect upper condenser element 184 includes oppositely
directed members 201 and 202, as shown in FIG. 5B, which members are oriented at a
common angle with respect to a plane containing flexible circuit web 100.
[0053] As a first step in prohibiting escape of vapors of working fluid 140, baffle 203
separates chamber 130 from the follow-on stages used to recapture any residual traces
of fluid 140 which may have a tendency to escape through web dragout. Following cooling
by virtue of doghouse- shaped condenser elements 184 and 185, web 100 engages a plurality
of reheat rollers 167 through 169 and a corresponding plurality of diffusion traps
186, 190, and 134, respectively. Roller 167 and diffusion trap 186 are separated from
roller 168 and diffusion trap 190 by baffles 187 and 188. Similarly, roller 168 and
diffusion trap 190 are separated from roller 169 and diffusion trap 134 by baffles
188 and 189.
[0054] Upon engagement of web 100 with each of rollers 167 through 169, it is reheated to
a temperature just below the eutectic temperature of solder coating 104. This reheating
vaporizes any residual traces of condensate of fluid 140 so that upon entering diffusion
traps 186, 190, and 134, this condensate is removed from web 100. The presence of
baffles 187 through 189 ensures that with each successive stage lesser amounts of
condensate are available for removal from machine 110 by web dragout.
[0055] To facilitate return of the recaptured condensate to sump 127 each of diffusion traps
186, 190 and 134 are provided with troughs 195 at their lower extremities. Troughs
195 reduce the possibility of recaptured condensate coming into contact with web 100.
[0056] Following passage of web 100 around reheat roller 169 and through diffusion trap
134, it emerges through exit port 132. To further inhibit escape of any vapor of fluid
140, diffusion trap 134 is coupled to exit port 132 by baffles 205 and 206 which are
spaced closely together. In addition, exit port 132 is equipped with a wiper assembly
178, as shown in FIG. 7, which further provides for removal of any traces of vapor
of fluid 140 carried by web 100.
[0057] It should be noted that during passage of web 100 through vapor zone 142, web 100
is maintained in a planar orientation even at low web tensions. This effect is achieved
with rollers 129, 167, 168, and 169 along with input roller 150 and discharge roller
151 (Fig. 4). The manner in which this effect is achieved will become clear upon consideration
of FIG. 6A. Moreover, as noted above, condenser elements 143 and 144 are adjustable
so that along with the speed of travel of web 100 and the angle of elevation of bottom
edge 191 with respect to bottom edge 192 of machine 110, the exposure time of solder
coating 104 to vapor zone 142 can be accurately controlled. The manner of adjustment
of condenser elements 143 and 144 will be considered subsequently.
[0058] Illustrated in FIG. 6A is apparatus for transporting flexible circuit web 100 through
machine 110 such that web 100 is maintained in a planar orientation at low web tension
during its passage through vapor zone 142. In particular, motor 220 mounted on top
121, shown only in FIG. 6A for clarity, drives discharge roller 151 and intermediate
rollers 167 through 169 by drive chains 221. To control the tension in web 100 as
it is fed from supply roller 250, variably adjustable tension roller 251 is used.
Tension roller 251 is coupled to pneumatic constant load device 253 by tension control
arm 252. Coupled to tension control arm 252 is tension arm position sensor 254.
[0059] If the feed rate of web 100 into machine 110 slow down relative to the machine output
speed, the amount of web 100 looped around tension roller 251 decreases and tension
control arm 252 swings in an upward direction. Simultaneously, tension arm position
sensor 254 detects this change in position of tension control arm 252 and as a result
an electrical signal is produced which causes drive motor 220 to slow down. The decrease
in rotational speed of drive motor 220 arrests the imbalance between the feed rate
and machine output speed, thereby effectively controlling the amount of web looped
around tension roller 251 so that the tension in web 100 is held nearly constant during
its passage through machine 110.
[0060] To further insure that web 100 passes through vapor zone 142 in a planar orientation,
bottom edge 191 of machine 110 is adjustable with respect to bottom edge 192. This
elevation adjustability aids in providing a more uniform thickness to solder coating
104 following the solder reflow process without the detrimental effects caused by
solder slump inherent in catenary feed arrangements. This elevation adjustability
further aids in controlling the amount of vapor condensate remaining on web 100 as
it rises above the vapor air interface for evaporative cooling.
[0061] Control of the height of vapor zone 142 is achieved by the adjustability of condenser
elements 143 and 144. Each of condenser elements 143 and 144, as shown most clearly
in FIGS. 6B and 6C, respectively, includes movable pans 230 and 230' for housing the
condenser elements themselves. Pans 230 and 230' can be moved advantageously in either
a generally vertical or generally horizontal direction, as appropriate. To effect
this movement pans 230 and 230' are coupled via shafts 231 and 231' to hand cranks
232 and 232', respectively.
[0062] Since condenser elements 143 and 144 provide direct cooling, it is desirable that
any condensate forming thereon be returned directly to sump 127 without coming into
contact with flexible circuit web 100. To achieve this end pans 230 and 230' are provided
with telescoping tubes 235 and 235' which couple pans 230 and 230' directly to sump
127 regardless of the position of condenser elements 143 and 144 with respect to sump
127. This arrangement has the further effect of minimizing the production of excessively
hot vapors needed to maintain vapor zone 142 and this, in turn, increases the useful
lifetime of working fluid 140.
[0063] Additional measures used to prevent the loss of fluid 140 are represented by the
wiper arrangement shown in FIG. 7 and briefly discussed earlier. Specifically illustrated
in cross sectional form is the wiper arrangement at exit port 132. Flexible membranes
260 and 261 are affixed in overlapping alignment along edges 262 and 263, respectively,
of exit port 132 by rigid members 264 and 265. As web 100 emerges from exit port 132,
membranes 260 and 261 are flexed outwardly forming a seal about web 100. This seal
prevents any convective loss of vapor due to web 100 dragging out the mixture of air
and vapor existing near diffusion trap 134.
[0064] As noted previously, heating elements 141 are used to control the boiling rate of
fluid 140 and to avoid the production of hot spots thereby increasing the lifetime
of fluid 140. Besides making heating elements 141 such that they have a uniform resistance
per unit of length, the power to them is controlled so that a proportionate reduction
in power produces a proportionate reduction in heat flux. This result is achieved
by the silicon controlled rectifier circuit illustrated in FIG 8.
[0065] Three phase, 60 cycle AC commercial power on lines Ll, L2 and L3 is coupled through
fuses 290 to filter capacitors 291. Following each capacitor 291 there is a parallel
circuit comprised of diode 292 and a silicon controlled rectifier 293. Diode 292 provides
rectification of tne AC power and silicon controlled rectitier 293, by virtue of a
trigger bias voltage coupled thereto, fairly accurately controls the amount of rectified
power supplied to heating elements 141. This arrangement insures that all heating
elements 141 are activated uniformly which, in turn, virtually eliminates hot spots
in fluid 140 thereby increasing its useful lifetime.
[0066] In all cases it is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are but
representative of many possible specific embodiments which can be devised readily
in accordance with the principles of the disclosed invention.
1. Process for reflowing solder (104) on a solder plated substrate (100), in which
the substrate (100) is moved through a chamber (130) containing a vapour (142) the
temperature of which is sufficient to melt and reflow the solder plating (104) of
said substrate (100), characterised in that the substrate (100) is moved through a
liquid/vapour interface (137) which provides a seal to the chamber (130).
2. Process as claimed in claim 1, in which the substrate (100) is moved in a substantially
straight line through the vapour (142) contained in said chamber (130).
3. Process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the substrate (100) is moved
through said chamber (130) and through a further chamber (131) the further chamber
(131) for containing a liquid (140) the temperature of which is less than the melting
point temperature of the solder plating (104), the liquid/vapour interface (137) being
provided between said chamber (130) and said further chamber (131).
4. Process as claimed in claim 3, in which a flexible substrate (100) is moved through
said further chamber (131) prior to it being moved through said chamber (130).
5. Solder plated substrate in which the solder plating (104) thereof has been caused
to reflow in accordance with a process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4.
6. Apparatus for carrying out a process of reflowing solder (104) on a solder plated
substrate (100), the apparatus comprising a chamber (130) for containing a vapour
(142) the temperature of which is sufficient to melt and reflow the solder plating
(104) of a solder plated substrate (100) and means (129, 150, 151) for moving a solder
plated substrate (100) through said chamber (130), characterised by a container (131)
for containing a liquid (140) the temperature of which is less than the melting point
temperature of the solder plating (104), the chamber (130) and the container (131)
being arranged so that in use a liquid/vapour interface (137) exists between them
which provides a seal to said chamber (130) through which the substrate (100) is arranged
to be moved.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the means (129, 150, 151) for moving
the solder plated substrate (100) through said chamber (130) is effective for moving
the substrate (100) in a substantially straight line.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the container (131) takes
the form of a further chamber (131) in which roller means (129) is provided around
which a flexible substrate (100) is passed, the roller means (129) being disposed
below the intended liquid surface level whereby the substrate (100) is caused to traverse
a path that extends through the liquid (140) of said further chamber (131), through
the liquid/vapour interface (137) between the two chambers (130, 131) and in a substantially
straight line through the vapour (142) of said vapour containing chamber (130).
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the said vapour containing chamber (130)
comprises heating means (141) for heating a liquid (140) when contained therein to
afford said vapour (142) and condensing means (143, 144) for determining the vapour
level in said chamber (130).
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, in which the vapour containing chamber
(130) and the further chamber (131) are provided with substrate inlet/ outlet means
(132, 133) and means (134, 135, 139, 177, 178) associated with said inlet/outlet means
(132, 133) for inhibiting the loss of liquid/vapour (140, 142) therethrough.