Reflow oven unloader - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: wemme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 12:08:33 am
content: Hello,I am running a Chinese 5 zone mesh (no guide rails or chain) conveyor reflow oven.Does anyone else use a similar style oven and how are you realigning the PCBs and unloading the oven?RegardsBart

author: erikfriesen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 11:54:31 am
content: For a while I used a set of rollers from McMaster on an adjustable height table.Now I’m using an old motorized turn table that activates from a pcb going past an eye.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 11:22:18 pm
content: Something like this:(I do recommend to turn off the sound).That was about 20s later then typing:https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=smt+oven+conveyer+unloading

author: wemme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 12:30:34 am
content: Yes that would be ideal however that requires a chain conveyer in the oven not a mesh style conveyor.My oven looks a bit like a pizza oven where the boards could become miss aligned if that makes sense.I am looking at some second hand Oubel conveyors on Tuesday and might be able to get the PCBs to funnel in.Regards

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 12:52:13 pm
content: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=conveyor+belt+parts+alignmentWill get you some donuts:And some robotic thing:And many other variants.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 12:56:33 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on July 19, 2025, 12:52:13 pmI've got a 961e coming in for a prototype line, I'm going to just make a 'discharge chute' for the boards to collect into and cool. I run 2 sided boards, so I'm just going to cut some dados into some FR-4 blocks to keep the boards off the conveyor. Just some grounded aluminum flashing over MDF should be enough I figure.

author: wemme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 03:21:43 am
content: I have some second hand 1m conveyors one has a cool down blower unit arriving this week which i am looking at making a feed in funnel for it with some buffering

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2025, 07:47:31 am
content: Quote from: wemme on July 17, 2025, 12:08:33 amWe ran a mesh belt oven for years, just stuck a tray on the end and visited it regularly. We actually doe the same now we have pin edge conveyor, if you're visiting one end to put in the next board, might was well visit the other to pick up the one from 7mins ago.We visited another factory once, every worker had a stopwatch, once they had done whatever manual bits and bobs their multiple pick and place machines couldn't handle for whatever reason they took it to the reflow and started the countdown. Crazy system, but it worked for them, they had ~6 assembleon placers, all sat on their own and one oven. They panelised everything the same size so the same profile would be pretty much correct whatever they were building and then all those boards went through ad hoc. Inline tools are nice but not 100% essential