Reflow on Bald Engineerhttps://www.baldengineer.com/tag/reflowRecent content in Reflow on Bald EngineerHugoen-USFri, 01 Apr 2022 23:05:45 +0000Pros and Cons of Low-Temp Solder Paste | Workbench Wednesdays #46https://www.baldengineer.com/pros-and-cons-of-low-temp-solder-paste-workbench-wednesdays-46.htmlMon, 25 Oct 2021 23:03:00 +0000https://www.baldengineer.com/?p=8352Low-temperature solder paste makes it easier to reflow-solder and re-work surface mount circuit boards. MG Chemicals offers a Bismuth-based paste that works great from larger passive components to fine pitched packages, like QFN. In this video, learn what solder paste is, what it means for a paste to be “low temperature,” and some things to watch out for when using it. This episode was sponsored by MG Chemicals.

Pros and Cons of Low-Temp Solder Paste | Workbench Wednesdays #46

Open Vapors (Reflow Oven) Controller Updatehttps://www.baldengineer.com/open-vapors-reflow-oven-controller-update.htmlTue, 29 Jul 2014 14:00:00 +0000https://www.baldengineer.com/?p=2635The Open Vapors project has taken some big steps forward recently. The controller’s enclosure is now a custom box, has a front panel, and the LCD’s menu system is almost done. Hardware Some notes on the hardware pieces, pretty much everything has been IMG_6556

Open Vapors (Reflow Oven) Controller Update

Minor updates to the Open Source Reflow Oven Projecthttps://www.baldengineer.com/minor-updates-to-the-open-source-reflow-oven-project.htmlTue, 03 Sep 2013 00:06:06 +0000https://www.baldengineer.com/?p=1863The next stage of the reflow oven project is moving to a custom PCB for the controller electronics. Overall the board is based on the ATmega32u4 with a DS3231 RTC. The LCD module is intended to be driven by one of Adafruit’s Serial backpacks. There is an area of LED indicators (something I learned from a previous project) and some extra VCC/GND pins sprinkled about. Screenshot of the controller board laid-out.(Accurate) RTC Shield Rev2https://www.baldengineer.com/accurate-rtc-shield-rev2.htmlSun, 08 Jul 2012 00:02:39 +0000https://www.baldengineer.com/?p=935Accurate RTC Shield with Kapton Stencil For the past couple of weeks I have been working with the DS3231 Maxim. This chip is a I2C based RTC with an integrated temperature compensated oscillator and crystal.This means despite changing temperature conditions, it will maintain a very accurate track of time. If you’re interested in the first rev of the PCB, let me know. I have a few available. They are functional, however, the prototyping area came bad.I have a set of new ones with a proper prototyping area, reset button, and power LED in process.Soldermask as an air freshenerhttps://www.baldengineer.com/soldermask-as-an-air-freshener.htmlSun, 17 Jun 2012 04:39:08 +0000https://www.baldengineer.com/?p=916While testing my Toaster Oven’s maximum temperature I learned a valuable lesson. Soldermask has a pretty limited lifetime when it is exposed to temperatures above 250C. Looks like I need to spend some time building a temperature profile and not just brute forcing. Build description here: Open Vapors Reflow Oven Controller Project Page

Soldermask as an air freshener