After using a hot air station for my smd work for about two years, I think it is time to upgrade my tools to increase my productivity, so I'm looking for adding a reflow oven to my workbench. I searched the web and found many threads about DIY reflow oven, and there are a couple kits looks pretty neat, but somehow all the kits are no longer available for purchase, so I just have to make my own.
First is the oven. I brought a cheap one from Amazon. Well, it's cheap, but already better than the one I has in my kitchen. :)
![IMG_20140403_031616.jpg]()
Then I start working on the controller. Originally I was planning to use Nokia 5110 LCD for the display, but just when I'm going to start the project, I received an email from the store stating that RobG's 2.2" Touch LCD is back in stock! What a prefect timing! So, my controller end up using a MSP430G2553 + RobG's 2.2" touch LCD.
![IMG_20140402_111229.jpg]()
The board under the LCD is just simple contains the socket for the 2553, a 3.3v regulator, and headers for the LCD, relay, and thermocouple sensor breakout board. The power input is via a mini USB port, and there is also a NPN transistor to power the SSR relay using 5V instead of 3.3V, as I think I read from the web that the SSR i brought form ebay is not quite working with 3.3V trigger.
![IMG_20140403_031413_small.jpg]()
![IMG_20140403_031440_small.jpg]()
The thermocouple breakout board is using MAX31855, brought from Adafruit. I brought the type K thermocouple from them too.
![IMG_20140405_162507.jpg]()
Time to put everything together. the front panel of the oven control, the temperature selection knob, and the mode selection knob is removed. I keep the bottom timer knob and use it as the main power switch. The SSR is mounted onto a big heatsink, then put on the bottom of the oven. A hole is drilled to route the thermocouple into the oven chamber. A cheap USB charger is also put inside the oven to used as the power supply, but the temperature keep reporting error occasionally when using that charger, so it end up goes to the rubbish bin. No more error when I use my LG phone charger.
![IMG_20140405_165529.jpg]()
![IMG_20140406_220623.jpg]()
I did my first run and so far looks good. The controller right now just sit on top of the oven, and I'll need to comes up with a way to mount it on the front of the oven panel area.
First is the oven. I brought a cheap one from Amazon. Well, it's cheap, but already better than the one I has in my kitchen. :)
Then I start working on the controller. Originally I was planning to use Nokia 5110 LCD for the display, but just when I'm going to start the project, I received an email from the store stating that RobG's 2.2" Touch LCD is back in stock! What a prefect timing! So, my controller end up using a MSP430G2553 + RobG's 2.2" touch LCD.
The board under the LCD is just simple contains the socket for the 2553, a 3.3v regulator, and headers for the LCD, relay, and thermocouple sensor breakout board. The power input is via a mini USB port, and there is also a NPN transistor to power the SSR relay using 5V instead of 3.3V, as I think I read from the web that the SSR i brought form ebay is not quite working with 3.3V trigger.
The thermocouple breakout board is using MAX31855, brought from Adafruit. I brought the type K thermocouple from them too.
Time to put everything together. the front panel of the oven control, the temperature selection knob, and the mode selection knob is removed. I keep the bottom timer knob and use it as the main power switch. The SSR is mounted onto a big heatsink, then put on the bottom of the oven. A hole is drilled to route the thermocouple into the oven chamber. A cheap USB charger is also put inside the oven to used as the power supply, but the temperature keep reporting error occasionally when using that charger, so it end up goes to the rubbish bin. No more error when I use my LG phone charger.
I did my first run and so far looks good. The controller right now just sit on top of the oven, and I'll need to comes up with a way to mount it on the front of the oven panel area.