Beta Layout Reflow-Kit V3 PRO User manual

Reflow Controller V3 PRO
Operating Instructions
Beta LAYOUT Ltd. •Bay 98 •Shannon Free Zone, Co. Clare •Ireland
Telefon + 353 (0) 61 70 11 70 •Fax + 353 (0) 61 70 11 65
www.beta-eSTORE.com

Contents
1 General information ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Warranty und liability ........................................................................................................................... 4
2 Safety ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Intended use ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Safety instructions ................................................................................................................................. 5
3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................6
4 Technical data ..........................................................................................................................................................7
5 Operating and display elements............................................................................................................7
6 Self-test ............................................................................................................................................................................9
7 Operating modes/soldering .....................................................................................................................9
7.1 Appropriate oven ......................................................................................................................................9
7.2 Preparing the oven ...............................................................................................................................10
7.3 Learning the oven characteristics ....................................................................................... 11
7.4 Reflow soldering .........................................................................................................................................12
8 Setting parameters via the display ...........................................................................................14
8.1 Switching the controller to parameterisation mode .......................................14
8.2 Menu layout ..................................................................................................................................................15
8.3 Main menu .....................................................................................................................................................15
8.4 “Settings” menu ........................................................................................................................................ 15
8.4.1 Profiles ..................................................................................................................................................................16
8.4.2 Using the parameters ..........................................................................................................................17
8.4.3 Preheat ..............................................................................................................................................................17
8.4.4 Soak ........................................................................................................................................................................18
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8.4.5 Reflow ...................................................................................................................................................................19
8.4.6 Dwell ................................................................................................................................................................... 20
8.5 “Base values” menu ......................................................................................................................... 2 1
8.5.1 Automatic phase extension ...................................................................................................... 21
8.5.2 Temperature calibration ............................................................................................................... 22
8.5.3 Setting the measurement unit “Temperature” ................................................... 23
8.5.4 Setting background brightness ........................................................................................... 23
8.5.5 Restoring default values ..............................................................................................................24
9 Setting parameters via the computer ................................................................. 24
9.1 Connecting to the computer ................................................................................................... 24
9.2 Installing the USB driver ...............................................................................................................25
9.3 Interface parameters ....................................................................................................................... 26
9.4 Terminal program ................................................................................................................................. 26
9.5 Communication test .......................................................................................................................... 27
9.6 General commands ............................................................................................................................ 28
9.7 Commands for parameter setting and calibration .........................................30
9.8 Manual operation ..................................................................................................................................32
10 Software update instructions ......................................................................................................... 34
11 Error messages ................................................................................................................................................ 37
12 Maintenance and disposal ...................................................................................................................37
13 Guarantee.....................................................................................................................................................................38
14 Connecting the reflow controller to the reflow oven and PC ..................39
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Operating Instructions
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1 General information
Please read this guide carefully prior to using the reflow controller as it contains im-
portant information on the functions, operation and maintenance of the product.
Note:
This documentation is based on the product knowledge available at the time of ma-
nufacture. The accuracy and completeness of the work in question cannot be guaran-
teed. Technical changes for product advancement are excluded. This documentation
and the information it contains are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced
either in full or in part or distributed to third parties without the written consent of the
publisher.
1.1 Warranty and liability
Our “General sales and delivery conditions” are always applicable.
Beta LAYOUT excludes any warranty or liability claims for personal and material dama-
ges caused by one or more of the following:
• inappropriate use,
• incorrect assembly, setup or operation,
• failing to observe information, requests or warnings in the operating instructions,
• unauthorised structural modifications to the equipment,
• improperly carried out maintenance or repairs.
Any damage caused by failing to follow the operating instructions will render the guaran-
tee/warranty null and void. We accept no liability for consequential damages arising from
the above.
2 Safety
2.1 Intended use
This product can only be used to control a reflow soldering oven.
Using it for any purpose other than the above will lead to product damage, and inappro-
priate use is also associated with hazards such as short circuits, fire, electric shock etc.
The product must not be changed or modified in any way.
This product complies with all legal, national and European requirements.
All company names and product designs are trademarks of the respective owners.
All rights reserved.
Please refer to the controller operating instructions manual, which is available for download
as a pdf on www.beta-eSTORE.com/RKCV3
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2.2 Safety instructions
Any damage caused by failure to follow the operating instructions will render the
guarantee/warranty null and void. We accept no liability for consequential damages.
We also accept no liability for material or personal damages caused by inappropriate
handling or failure to follow the safety instructions. In such cases, the warranty/guaran-
tee is null and void.
• For safety and licensing (CE) reasons, unauthorised reconfiguration or modification of
the product is not permitted. Never disassemble the product.
• The product is designed for operation through the public mains supply only
(230V~/50Hz) and must be properly earthed. Plug the controller into a regulation-
compliant earth socket.
• This product is not a toy and is not intended for use by children. Operate and store
the product out of children’s reach. Children may attempt to insert objects into the
openings of the unit, risking fatal electric shock.
• The product is only suited to dry indoor areas and must not get damp or wet. Never
use the product outdoors or in damp or humid conditions, and never handle it with
damp or wet hands. This could lead to fatal electric shock.
• The product must always be operated under supervision.
• Due to the risk of fire or explosion, the product should not be operated in any environ-
ment that is or may be exposed to flammable gases, fumes or types of dust.
• This product is intended for private use only and not for commercial use.
• The product is only intended to regulate a soldering or reflow oven and should not be
connected to any other devices.
• The product only isolates one pole of the socket on the connection cable from the
mains. Even if the product is switched off, mains voltage may still be present around
the socket and the connected device.
• Do not use the product as a “circuit breaker” for the connected device.
• Before connecting the product to a PC, you must unplug it from the mains socket.
• Handle the product with care as it can be damaged by impact or as a result of falling
from even low heights.
• Do not continue to use the product if the product housing gets damaged. If it is still con-
nected to the mains, do not touch it or any other attached devices. First, break off the
electrical circuit to which the product is connected (switch off the automatic circuit breaker).
You can now unplug the attached device and remove the controller from the mains socket.
Then bring the product to a repair workshop or dispose of it in an environmentally approp-
riate way.
• Dispose of packaging carefully as it could be dangerous in the hands of children.
• If you are concerned about the functioning, operation or safety of the product, consult
a specialist. Do not work on the product yourself.
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3 Introduction
The reflow controller controls your reflow oven kit. To get the best soldering result,
specified times and temperatures must be maintained when soldering SMD components
using solder paste.
The reflow controller regulates your reflow oven in such a way that times and tempera-
tures are maintained and the optimum soldering result is achieved.
The boards and components are heated gradually during a preheat phase in order to
avoid mechanical stress in those elements.
Following the preheat phase, the temperature is raised to just below the soldering tem-
perature. In this way, the volatile components of the solder paste can escape with no
blistering.
The oven is then heated to the soldering temperature. The solder paste liquefies and the
components adhere to the board. The temperature is kept stable during the soldering
process in order to avoid damage through overheating.
The controller beeps to signal the end of the soldering phase.
The soldered board can now be removed from the oven.
You can adapt the solder curves to your own requirements. Up to five different curves
can be stored in the reflow controller.
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4 Technical data
Operating voltage: 230 V/AC 50 Hz (EU)
110 V/AC 60 Hz (USA)
Fuse: 8A-T (EU)
15A-T (USA)
Maximum power consumption: 1500 W
PC connection: USB
5 Operating and display elements
The reflow controller has a console with cables for connection to the mains and the reflow oven. The
console has 7 control buttons, 2 LEDs for controlling data traffic via the USB port, a display and an
acoustic alarm.
The display shows information on the current soldering process, as well as error messages.
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START button
ON/OFF power switchSensor connection
STOP button
UP button
RIGHT button
DOWN button
LEFT button
Display
OK button
Control LEDs

Operating elements
ON/OFF power switch
The reflow controller can be switched on and off using the power switch. We recom-
mend that you end the current soldering process before switching off the power, or
alternatively, interrupt it using the STOP button
START button
Starts the soldering process. When the controller is first started, START initiates the
learn function for the oven.
STOP button
Interrupts the current soldering process.
OK button
Confirms previous settings and also brings you to the settings menu.
UP button
Increases setting values and also brings you to the previous item in a menu.
DOWN button
Decreases setting values and also brings you to the next item in a menu.
RIGHT button
Selects the next element at the same menu level.
LEFT button
Selects the previous element at the same menu level.
Display elements
Control LEDs
The LEDs display the data traffic on a connected PC. If no PC is connected, the LEDs
are not significant.
Display
The display shows all relevant information regarding your reflow controller. It is structured
as follows:
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STATUS N xxxC
PHASE yyyS
Current status
Number of active
parameter sets Temperature
Measurement unit
Temperature
Measurement unit
Time
Time elapsed
Current phase

6 Self-test
When the controller is switched on, it runs a system test.
• Display test
The version number of the software will appear on the screen for around one second.
Please have this number ready in the event of any support queries.
• Sensor test
A temperature sensor check is done to determine whether a sensor is attached and if
so, to ensure it is isolated from the mains.
If no sensor is found or the sensor is giving an error message, the display will show the
status “Error” followed by “Sensor”.
If this error is displayed, please check the sensor and ensure it is attached correctly. The
error message will disappear as soon as the controller finds a correctly attached sensor.
• Buzzer test
The acoustic alarm is activated for one second.
The first time the controller is switched on or following a software update, the error mes-
sage ‘Learn’ will be displayed after the self-test.
This indicates that the controller has not yet learned the oven characteristics and is not
ready for operation. A learn cycle must be carried out.
7 Operating modes/soldering
7.1 Appropriate oven
Please note that specific characteristics must be set for every oven type. In general, the
following capacity limits apply for reflow ovens:
Europe: 220..240 V~ / 8 A, 50 Hz
USA: 110 V~ / 15 A, 60 Hz
Maximum power consumption: 1500 W
Higher oven capacity than the above is not supported and will destroy the controller.
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Error xxxC
Learn

Please note that the oven must be able to build up to the temperature required for the
soldering process. If the oven capacity is too low, it heats too slowly and this may expo-
se the components to more thermal stress.
Please note the maximum temperature resistance of the sensor.
Note on using fan (convection) ovens:
Fan ovens should not be used because when the heat and fan functions are controlled
simultaneously, the resulting air movement causes ‘hot spots’ in the oven, which can
lead to significant temperature fluctuations.
7.2. Preparing the oven
Before you start soldering, you must prepare the oven and the temperature sensor.
• Connect the supplied sensor to the reflow controller, taking care to maintain correct
polarity.
• Run the sensor cable into the soldering area of the oven.
• Secure the sensor in such a way that the end of it is as close as possible to the
soldering material.
TIP Attach the temperature sensor to a segment of board using a wire and place it along-
side the board to be soldered. The board segment should have specifications identical to
the board to be soldered.
The sensor supplied is heat-resistant up to 260 °C (500 °F).
Please ensure that your oven does not exceed the above temperature.
Please ensure also that the sensor cable does not come in contact with oven parts that
may be hotter than 260 °C.
• Connect the mains plug of your reflow oven to the controller socket.
• Switch your reflow oven to the highest heat capacity.
• Switch the upper and lower heat on and slide the grill into the middle of the oven.
• Switch the oven temperature regulator to the highest setting.
• Set the oven timer to > 30 minutes. The oven should not be preheated
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7.3 Learning the oven characteristics
Before the oven can be used for soldering, the controller has to learn its heat and tem-
perature characteristics.
This is necessary before first use and after every software update at least.
The learned values are stored in the controller and used for all subsequent soldering
processes. However, you can repeat the learn process as often as you wish.
The controller always uses the results of the most recent learn event.
The message “Error learn“ on the display indicates that the learn phase has to be run
and the controller is not yet ready for soldering.
When you see this message, start the learn process by pressing START.
You can also start the learn phase at a later time, as follows:
• Connect the oven and temperature sensor according to the instructions and switch on
the controller.
• After the self-test, please wait until the oven is heated to a just below 50 °C.
• Now press OK once and the message “Setup” will appear on the display. Press OK
again and press “Down” while the message “Setup” is still present (around 2 seconds).
“Learn” will now appear in the bottom line of the display. Press OK to start the learn
process. Please wait until the learn process is fully complete and do not interrupt it. The
controller is only ready to use when the learn process is complete and the oven is at just
below 50 °C.
• The learn process requires a board to be placed in the oven and the temperature sensor
positioned under or over the board in such a way that they make contact with each other.
This will ensure that the temperature sensor measures the board temperature and not
the air temperature.
• Close the oven and start the learn process as described above.
During the learn process, the “Learn” status is displayed, with information on each
phase of the process.
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The oven is now heated to 100 °C. Once it reaches this temperature, the heat is
switched off. The controller now measures how much more the oven will heat despite
the heat being off.
A beep signals the end of the learn process and the display indicates the “Cooling”
phase.
• The oven door can now be opened.
The controller has now calculated and stored the oven’s characteristics.
When the oven has cooled to below 50 °C, it is ready for reflow soldering.
7.4 Reflow soldering
The reflow controller works by taking control of the oven. It uses one of 5 possible para-
meter sets for the reflow process.
In this way, you can define parameter sets for different soldering processes. Please se-
lect the required parameter set before starting the soldering process.
Chapter 9, “Setting parameters via the computer”, contains further information on how
to change the active parameter set.
The number of the currently selected parameter set is shown on the display.
Ready 2 125C
The soldering process can only be started when the reflow oven has been heated to
< 50 °C. If you want to solder several boards in quick succession, the oven temperature
must drop to below 50 °C between each soldering operation.
To solder the board, position it in the middle of the grill. Place the temperature sensor
under or over the board in such a way that it makes contact with the board. This en-
sures that the sensor will calculate the board temperature and not the air temperature.
Close the oven door and check again that the temperature sensor has not slipped away
from the board.
Press START to begin the automatic soldering process.
Solder 2 320F
Soak 20S
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Information on each soldering phase is shown on the display, as follows:
Operating mode Solder Indicates that a soldering operation is in process.
Active phase Preheat Heats the oven slowly and keeps the temperature
constant for a period of time.
Soak Activates the solder paste. Continues to heat
slowly until the solder paste is just below
melting point.
Reflow Continues to heat fast until the solder paste
reaches melting point.
Dwell Maintains the temperature just over the melting
point of the solder paste.
Cooling Cools the reflow oven. You can now open the door.
The soldering process is complete and the
soldered material can be removed from the oven.
Active parameter set 0 ... 4 Number of the active parameter set
Temperature in oven xxx Measured oven temperature in the set measure-
ment unit
C measurement unit: CTemperature is displayed in Celsius °C
F measurement unit: F Temperature is displayed in Fahrenheit °F
Duration of phase Elapsed time of the current phase in seconds
When the soldering process is complete, “Cooling” is displayed as the active phase and
the controller beeps. The oven door must now be opened to allow the oven to cool
rapidly.
Warning: The board is still hot.
The automatic soldering process can only be activated when the controller has
learned the oven characteristics at least once.
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8 Setting parameters via the display
In general, there are two ways to set parameters in the controller: via the integrated
keyboard or via a connected PC. This chapter explains how to set parameters via the
integrated keyboard.
8.1 Switching the controller to parameterisation mode
The controller is switched to parameterisation mode as follows:
• Press OK and “Setup” will appear in the display
Setup
• Release OK and the display will remain the same.
• Press OK again within 3 seconds and hold for five seconds. A dash will appear in the
top line for every second that has elapsed.
Setup ---
• After the fifth dash, the controller switches to “Setup” mode.
Setup
Ready
You can now switch between menu items using the UP and DOWN buttons. The next
chapter contains details on the menu layout.
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8.2 Menu layout
The controller has three different menus.
Main menu
When the controller is switched on, you are in the main menu. From the main menu, you
can start a soldering process or a learn cycle.
Settings
You can go to the “Settings” menu by switching the controller to parameterisation mode
(see previous chapter). In this menu, you can make all the parameter changes necessary
for your soldering process.
Base values
You can get to the “Base values“ menu via the “Settings” menu. In the “Base values”
menu, you can adapt controller performance to your own requirements. Aside from the
initial setup, no changes are usually required in this menu.
8.3 Main menu
The main menu contains the following menu items:
Ready “Normal“ controller operation.
Pressing START will initiate a soldering cycle.
Setup Entry point to the “Settings” menu. See chapter “Switching the controller to
parameterisation model” for further information.
Learn Initiates a learn cycle. Press START to begin a cycle. See chapter “Learning
the oven characteristics“ for further information on the learn procedure and
how to use it.
8.4 “Settings” menu
You are in the “Settings” menu when the status “Setup” appears in the first line of the
display and the current menu item is on the second line.
Setup
Preheat
The “Settings” menu contains the following menu items:
Ready Menu exit point. Press OK to return to the main menu.
Profile Active parameter set selection
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Preheat “Preheat” phase settings for the active parameter set
Soak “Soak” phase settings for the active parameter set
Reflow “Reflow” phase settings for the active parameter set
Dwell “Dwell” phase settings for the active parameter set
Base values Entry point to the “Base values” menu.
Press OK to access the “Base values” menu.
You can use UP or DOWN to navigate to the last or next menu item, respectively. If you
want to change the settings in a menu item, scroll to the item using UP/DOWN, then
press OK.
8.4.1 Profiles
You can use this menu item to activate one of the five parameter sets stored in the
device, as follows:
• Select the menu item “Profiles” in the “Settings” menu. See chapter “Settings” for
more information. When “Profiles” is selected, the number of the active profile will be
displayed in the bottom line.
Setup
Prole 0001
• Pressing OK will activate the menu item and the number of the active parameter set
will start to flash.
• You can change the value as required using the UP and DOWN buttons.
• Press OK to confirm.
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8.4.2 Using the parameters
When you have set all the parameters as required, press OK to confirm the settings.
Please note that pressing OK always ends parameter input, even if not all parameters have yet been
changed. You are now back in the “Settings” menu.
8.4.3 Preheat
This menu item allows you to change the parameters for the “Preheat” phase. The para-
meters are as follows:
• Duration of the phase in seconds
• Required end temperature of the phase in the specified temperature unit
• Oven capacity during the phase in %
Please note that the settings always affect the currently active parameter set. Informati-
on on switching the active parameter set can be found in the chapter “Profiles”.
You can set the ‘Preheat’ parameters as follows:
• Select the menu item “Preheat” in the “Settings” menu.
The chapter “Settings” contains further details. In the menu item “Preheat”, the num-
ber of the active parameter set is also displayed in the first line.
Setup 4
Preheat
• Pressing OK will activate the menu item. You will now see the name of the activated
menu item (Preheat) and the number of the current parameter set on the display. The
second line shows the name of the selected parameter to be changed and its current
value, which will flash onscreen.
This means that the value can be changed using UP/DOWN.
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Entry Parameter Select next Set parameter Select next Exit
parameter parameter

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Preheat 4
temp: 0125C
• Set parameters.
• Then select the next parameter using the LEFT or RIGHT button and make the change.
• When you have set all the “Preheat” parameters, you can end parameter input by
pressing OK.
Please note that pressing OK always ends parameter input, even if not all parameters
have yet been changed. You are now back in the “Settings” menu.
8.4.4 Soak
This menu item allows you to change the parameters for the “Soak” phase. The para-
meters are as follows:
• Duration of the phase in seconds
• Required end temperature of the phase in the specified temperature unit
• Oven performance during the phase in %
Please note that the settings always affect the currently active parameter set. Informati-
on on switching the active parameter set can be found in the chapter “Profiles”.
You can set the “Soak” parameters as follows:
• Select the menu item “Soak” in the “Settings” menu.
The chapter “Settings” contains further details. In the menu item “Soak”, the number
of the active parameter set is also displayed in the first line.
Setup 2
Soak
• Pressing OK will activate the menu item. You will now see the name of the activated
menu item (Soak) and the number of the current parameter set on the display. The
second line shows the name of the selected parameter to be changed and its current
value, which will flash onscreen.
This means that the value can be changed using UP/DOWN.
Soak 2
time: 0090s
• Set parameters.

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• Then select the next parameter using the LEFT or RIGHT button and make the change.
• When you have set all the “Soak” parameters, you can end parameter input by pres-
sing OK.
Please note that pressing OK always ends parameter input, even if not all parameters
have yet been changed. You are now back in the “Settings” menu.
8.4.5 Reflow
This menu item allows you to change the parameters for the “Reflow” phase.
The parameters are as follows:
• Duration of the phase in seconds
• Required end temperature of the phase in the specified temperature unit
• Oven performance during the phase in %
Please note that the settings always affect the currently active parameter set. Informati-
on on switching the active parameter set can be found in the chapter “Profiles”.
You can set the “Reflow” parameters as follows:
• Select the menu item “Reflow” in the “Settings” menu.
The chapter ‘Settings’ contains further details. In the menu item “Reflow”, the number
of the active parameter set is also displayed in the first line.
Setup 2
Reow
• Pressing OK will activate the menu item. You will now see the name of the activated
menu item (Reflow) and the number of the current parameter set on the display. The se-
cond line shows the name of the selected parameter to be changed and its current value,
which will flash onscreen. This means that the value can be changed using UP/DOWN.
Reow 2
power: 080%
• Set parameters.
• Then select the next parameter using the LEFT or RIGHT button and make the change.
• When you have set all the “Reflow” parameters, you can end parameter input by pres-
sing OK.
Please note that pressing OK always ends parameter input, even if not all parameters
have yet been changed. You are now back in the “Settings” menu.

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8.4.6 Dwell
This menu item allows you to change the parameters for the “Dwell” phase. The para-
meters are as follows:
• Duration of the phase in seconds
• Required end temperature of the phase in the specified temperature unit
• Oven performance during the phase in %
Please note that the settings always affect the currently active parameter set. Informati-
on on switching the active parameter set can be found in the chapter “Profiles”.
You can set the “Dwell” parameters as follows:
• Select the menu item “Dwell” in the “Settings” menu.
The chapter “Settings” contains further details. In the menu item “Dwell”, the number
of the active parameter set is also displayed in the first line.
Setup 1
Dwell
• Pressing OK will activate the menu item. You will now see the name of the activated
menu item (Reflow) and the number of the current parameter set on the display. The
second line shows the name of the selected parameter to be changed and its current
value, which will flash onscreen.
This means that the value can be changed using UP/DOWN.
Dwell 1
power: 070%
• Set parameters.
• Then select the next parameter using the LEFT or RIGHT button and make the change.
• When you have set all the “Dwell” parameters, you can end parameter input by pres-
sing OK.
Please note that pressing OK always ends parameter input, even if not all parameters
have yet been changed. You are now back in the “Settings” menu.
8.5 “Base values” menu
You can get to the “Base values” menu by switching the controller to parameterisation
mode (see chapter “Switching the controller to parameterisation mode”) and activating