Patent ID: 6726083
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A method of using an apparatus for processing printed circuit boards including a system for measuring and controlling a solder wave height generated by a solder bath, comprising the steps of:turning on the apparatus for processing printed circuit boards and pausing momentarily for the pump motor to form a solder wave having a predetermined solder wave height; sampling a plurality of analog voltage samples; providing the analog voltage samples to a micro-controller for enabling the micro-controller to convert the analog voltage samples to a plurality of values; providing the values to a register; determining an average value from the plurality of values defined in the register; comparing the average value with a predetermined set point to determine if the average value is within a predetermined tolerance range of the set point, if the average value is within the predetermined tolerance range of the set point, then repeating the steps of determining an average value and comparing the average value with a predetermined set point, and if the average value is not within the predetermined tolerance range of the set point, then determining whether the average value is too high or too low; and controlling the pump motor speed to adjust the solder wave height which is associated with the pump motor.