An apparatus includes a gas interface configured to be fluidly coupled to a gas source and to receive a heated gas flow from the gas source. The apparatus also includes a convection-to-radiant heat transfer section configured to receive convection heat from the heated gas flow. The apparatus further includes a compartment configured to receive a component. The heat transfer section is configured to convert the convection heat into radiant heat and to provide the radiant heat to the compartment in order to heat the component within the compartment. The apparatus is configured to substantially block the heated gas flow from contacting the component within the compartment. One or more exhaust vent openings may be configured to allow exhaust of the heated gas flow from the apparatus. A damper may be configured to selectively release or block the one or more exhaust vent openings.

A method and an apparatus for collecting flux in a way that improves the cleanliness inside a furnace by improving flux collection efficiency, reduces flux viscosity to maintain a liquid state even at ordinary temperature, and makes the flux collection unit more easily serviceable includes a rosin particle contained in an atmosphere gas, and vapor of a solvent or an atomized solvent particle are mixed in a mixing section provided upstream of a flux collection unit-side inlet, and a gas containing a mixed particle is cleaned by means of electrostatic precipitation. The solvent particle adheres to the rosin particle, and forms an aggregate of large particle size that can be more easily charged by corona discharge. This improves the flux collection rate of electrostatic precipitation collection, and, because the rosin particle dissolves in the solvent particle, the collected flux can have reduced viscosity.

A method and an apparatus for collecting flux in a way that improves the cleanliness inside a furnace by improving flux collection efficiency, reduces flux viscosity to maintain a liquid state even at ordinary temperature, and makes the flux collection unit more easily serviceable includes a rosin particle contained in an atmosphere gas, and vapor of a solvent or an atomized solvent particle are mixed in a mixing section provided upstream of a flux collection unit-side inlet, and a gas containing a mixed particle is cleaned by means of electrostatic precipitation. The solvent particle adheres to the rosin particle, and forms an aggregate of large particle size that can be more easily charged by corona discharge. This improves the flux collection rate of electrostatic precipitation collection, and, because the rosin particle dissolves in the solvent particle, the collected flux can have reduced viscosity.

A method of using a processing oven may include disposing at least one substrate in a chamber of the oven and activating a lamp assembly disposed above them to increase their temperature to a first temperature. A chemical vapor may be admitted into the chamber above the at least one substrate and an inert gas may be admitted into the chamber below the at least one substrate. The temperature of the at least one substrate may then be increased to a second temperature higher than the first temperature and then cooled down.

The invention relates to a device for feeding a stream of hot gas to a printed circuit board during convection soldering in a soldering installation. The feed device comprises a nozzle plate (1) having at least one drilled hole (3), which opens into a hot gas nozzle (2) arranged on the nozzle plate (1) and having a nozzle opening (4). The invention is defined in that the hot gas nozzle is formed by a flexible helical spring (2). The invention permits the nozzle plate with the hot gas nozzles to be advanced right up to the printed circuit board under all peripheral conditions which occur. In particular, the printed circuit board can, for instance, be advanced right up to the nozzle plate even when a central support for the printed circuit boards or some other disruptive contour is present. It is also possible to move the central support transversely with respect to the direction of transport of the circuit boards in the soldering installation without the printed circuit board having to be positioned at an increased distance from the nozzle plate, since, thanks to the invention, collisions between the nozzles and the central support or some other disruptive contour do not cause damage.

The invention relates to a device for feeding a stream of hot gas to a printed circuit board during convection soldering in a soldering installation. The feed device comprises a nozzle plate (1) having at least one drilled hole (3), which opens into a hot gas nozzle (2) arranged on the nozzle plate (1) and having a nozzle opening (4). The invention is defined in that the hot gas nozzle is formed by a flexible helical spring (2). The invention permits the nozzle plate with the hot gas nozzles to be advanced right up to the printed circuit board under all peripheral conditions which occur. In particular, the printed circuit board can, for instance, be advanced right up to the nozzle plate even when a central support for the printed circuit boards or some other disruptive contour is present. It is also possible to move the central support transversely with respect to the direction of transport of the circuit boards in the soldering installation without the printed circuit board having to be positioned at an increased distance from the nozzle plate, since, thanks to the invention, collisions between the nozzles and the central support or some other disruptive contour do not cause damage.

A system for joining articles includes a joining unit; a positioning unit coupled to the joining unit, the positioning unit positioning the joining unit; a vision system obtaining an image of an item to be joined on a workpiece; a controller for processing the image and controlling a position of the joining unit relative to the item to be joined in response to the image; and a temperature probe for monitoring a temperature; wherein the controller adjusts the position of the joining unit in response to the temperature.

A system for joining articles includes a joining unit; a positioning unit coupled to the joining unit, the positioning unit positioning the joining unit; a vision system obtaining an image of an item to be joined on a workpiece; a controller for processing the image and controlling a position of the joining unit relative to the item to be joined in response to the image; and a temperature probe for monitoring a temperature; wherein the controller adjusts the position of the joining unit in response to the temperature.

A method for the joining of material including metal and non-metals employing foil positioned between as well as structures produced thereby is provided. Such a method may employ thermal plasma as a means to produce the heat necessary for such joining methods. The method may also entail the treating of surfaces of objects by the positioning of materials, including foil, on a surface and subsequent application of thermal plasma.

A method for the joining of material including metal and non-metals employing foil positioned between as well as structures produced thereby is provided. Such a method may employ thermal plasma as a means to produce the heat necessary for such joining methods. The method may also entail the treating of surfaces of objects by the positioning of materials, including foil, on a surface and subsequent application of thermal plasma.