Wave solder: Vitronics-Soltec vs. Electrovert

Hi,

We have the Soltec Delta C. It works well, and is very stable. I think the software is a bit simplistic, but it keeps the wave stable, so that's the main thing.

It's the timer on the software that I find annoying. It has a warm up time, and you set this into the timer. However what I would really like is a process start time, so the wave automatically turns on at whatever the warmup time is before the start time. So the software works out how long the warmup time us based on past experience, and then starts up based on that. I don't want to have to work out that.

It also keeps the solder bath at a low temp such as 150 deg C, but I would like the software to automatically work out the power required to keep it at this temp to warm up time, compared to the power required to let the pot cool all the way down to room temperature, and then warm up. So on weekends it would cool all the way, and then only power up on Sunday night before Mondays production.

But apart from that, the wave is a really well build device, and it's working really well with almost no maintenance required. It's worth cleaning the spray fluxer after each production run.

We have it configured as first zone cal rod, then the second zone convection bottom, and IR lamps on the top side. We have some heavy BNC connectors on some of our boards, and the top side heating really helps get the heat into them so they solder well. Convection on the bottom side gives us great stability, and we have not seen anything that it would not solder well.

It's also worth getting the optional conveyer in and out feeds. They are perfectly aligned to the machine, so a conveyer misalignment won't damage the machine conveyer. Also, the solder pot and bolts etc are all titanium so can handle lead free ok.

I don't have any info on the Electrovert because I have never used one, but I would purchase another soltec wave no problem, as there has been no issues with it.

Regards,

Grant

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I have never used the Vitronics but have pretty extensive experience with the Electra as well as Ultra-Pak and econ-pak from electrovert. I ahve been impressed with these machines for their durability and ease of use. A laminar flow with the rotary chip wave has performed very well for us. I would think that either the vitronics or the electrovert are going to give you want you want and it is probably going to end up as personal preference. As mentioned earlier try them both out and see which fits your style better.

Russ

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We have a Soltec Deltawave with single nozzle spray fluxer, chipwave, and waveform. It preforms well. I am not fimilar with Electrovert models so I can only give you some of the pitch I got when I went back East for training. Features I like about the Deltawave are a stand by wave that reduces the wave height to the top of the waveform when boards are not directly above the wave. This is to lessen the formation of dross. The software has 10 levels of password protection to keep unauthorized persons from changing the settings. Every setting or menu can be set with it's own level of axcess. On the down side The spray fluxer gets air in flux alarms if flux pump RPM is set too high in a profile the adjustment on the flow meter only goes up to half of the range of the flow meter. Also with the Spray fluxer unless tracking and start / stop positions are accuratly set, over spray tends to make a mess of internal surfaces. The profiles for the fluxer should be left to programmer / tech / engineer and not the operators unless well trained. Replacement parts seem to be expensive but arn't they all. Most relays and electrical components are common third party available type parts. Maintenance is tracked by the software and alerts come up when PM is due. The bigest problem we have is getting the operators to do their daily cleaning of the machine.

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Hi guys as an alternative I would check put the Nousstar leadfree wave this machine is being well recieved in Europe

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