Pcb Tinning Machine.??????

[glenfraser]

Hi Chaps,
Just wondered if any of you no how these things are made. I think its a stainless steal tank with rollers and heated by something like a kettle elemant under the tank. If any of you are in the pcb making business can you tell me how they make these machines.

Glen

[drk]

I can help you a little on that, you are correct about the steel tank.
It is a strong chamber with larger heaters than what you have in the kettle.
Once the solder melts( can take upto 45 minutes for that), the lower of the two rollers stays dipped in it. The motor drive rotates it continuously( only when molten, under switched off conditions it stays out of the solder) to keep it coated with freshly molten and hot solder. The upper roller is spring loaded to keep the pcb pressed onto the lower one. The copper side goes in between the two facing down. Two passes makes sure you get a good coating of solder but also chokes the holes ( big trouble if you have to sit with a pin to open them) and hence the development of the Hot air leveler.

[glenfraser]

Hi i picked up an old roller tinner today. 18 inch one and its called a FlowWave. I was wondering if anyone can tell me who makes them.

It seems to have 2 cooker elements under the steel chamber. Needs a bit of repairing but who cares.

Glen