Wave Outfeed Cooling

We've got a continous flow cooling problem from our wave solder process into ICT. Our current configuration is a flatbelt conveyor into a manual de-pallet process, operator then places on to an edge conveyor. We've tried muffin fans, look good but not enough air flow. We now use larger metal fans which work, but they look pretty bad.

Has anyone seen a small self contained cooling system we can place inline??

I don't want to effect cycle time so KANBANs or slowing is not an option. We are also looking into changing the flat belt to a brush type which would give us better air flow.

Any ideas??

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| We've got a continous flow cooling problem from our wave solder process into ICT. Our current configuration is a flatbelt conveyor into a manual de-pallet process, operator then places on to an edge conveyor. We've tried muffin fans, look good but not enough air flow. We now use larger metal fans which work, but they look pretty bad. | | Has anyone seen a small self contained cooling system we can place inline?? | | I don't want to effect cycle time so KANBANs or slowing is not an option. We are also looking into changing the flat belt to a brush type which would give us better air flow. | | Any ideas?? | Allen,

We havs a similar problem. We also used a lot of little fans all down our conveyor belts, and they didn't look too good, either. So we just bought a cooling buffer from Simplimatic(Acutally, I think lots of conveyor companies make them). It's a FIFO buffer with fans in the tower. It fits right in line with the conveyor system. It takes boards in, raises them up to the fan area, and holds them there for a programmed amount fo time. Then it releases them in the order in which they were received.

It hasn't been installed yet, so I don't know how well it works. Looks good in theory, though. And it wasn't my project, so I don't know how much it cost, either. Yeah, I'm a big help, ain't I?

I'll keep you posted next week after the installation & debug is complete.

Chrys

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Chrys, Thanks. Our corporate facility is about to install a JOT unit like you've described. It sounds like a buffer, not cheap. I was hoping for something for under $5K per solution.

Let me know how yours turns out.

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| We've got a continous flow cooling problem from our wave solder process into ICT. Our current configuration is a flatbelt conveyor into a manual de-pallet process, operator then places on to an edge conveyor. We've tried muffin fans, look good but not enough air flow. We now use larger metal fans which work, but they look pretty bad. | | Has anyone seen a small self contained cooling system we can place inline?? | | I don't want to effect cycle time so KANBANs or slowing is not an option. We are also looking into changing the flat belt to a brush type which would give us better air flow. | | Any ideas?? | Allen: How 'bout an air knife tuned to a dull roar? Either field strip your wave or washer or check these guys below. Dave F

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| We've got a continous flow cooling problem from our wave solder process into ICT. Our current configuration is a flatbelt conveyor into a manual de-pallet process, operator then places on to an edge conveyor. We've tried muffin fans, look good but not enough air flow. We now use larger metal fans which work, but they look pretty bad. | | Has anyone seen a small self contained cooling system we can place inline?? | | I don't want to effect cycle time so KANBANs or slowing is not an option. We are also looking into changing the flat belt to a brush type which would give us better air flow. | | Any ideas?? | Look in your Grainger catalog under spot coolers, in my '96 catalog there is a listing for MovinCool spot coolers, very similar to what you might see on the sidelines at a football game. We have the 10000 BTU version to do basically what you describe. Works well, approx $3k. It strikes me that with a little ingenuity and clever ducting, one could adapt a window unit air conditioner for somewhat less, if you don't need the portability.

Mike

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