Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

New Boost Driver in Dev

LaZeRz

0
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Messages
2,549
Points
63
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Would you mind telling me more about solder paste? I might pick some up and try it on some PCB's I have lying around....

Also, If you wanted to put it in an oven, what temperature would you use? Im guessing around 190-200 degrees celcius for 60/40 solder mix.
 





Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

A lot of the issue is we've had a lot of people claiming to be able to 'outdo' flexdrives and microboosts for less money.. And so far, no one has managed to do it in the same form factor. I'm not saying it will never happen, however.. It's in no way an easy feat or it would have happened already.. Plus going straight from simulation to production with zero changes NEVER happens. And more revisions means more testing and prototypes.. which means more money.. I personally wouldn't be surprised if the final cost on this, since it's being outsourced to an outside developer... didn't end up over $5k just to end up with something equivalent to a microboost.. Much less something that will do 2A@4.5v out with sane input currents when battery voltage started dropping.

Maybe not >$5K but at least 2-3 times the initial investment $$ to
get a functioning to spec Driver if it is at all in the realm of possibility
of the designer.

Once an investor has laid out some development money and
it works out that more money is needed for further development...
the investor is in a predicament to invest even more money
to perhaps get a working product... or not invest any more $$$
and perhaps cause the development to cease due to lack of
funds..

My worry is... if the product does not come to fruition as outlined
who pays back the investors... or would that be a wash...

I have trouble to justify investing something I can touch (money)
into something I can't touch or see (Driver design on paper or in
simulator)...

I hope this works out... we could use an alternative Boost Driver
just in case we run out again..


Jerry
 

benmwv

0
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,380
Points
48
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Would you mind telling me more about solder paste? I might pick some up and try it on some PCB's I have lying around....

Also, If you wanted to put it in an oven, what temperature would you use? Im guessing around 190-200 degrees celcius for 60/40 solder mix.

I just picked up a syringe of it on eBay for like $8 or so and then you can get little jars to refill your syringe for ~$5. I guess you could just buy a jar and use one of those meat syringes, may be cheaper. Be sure to keep it in the fridge when your not using it so it will last longer.

You want to get it to 200-210 C but you shouldn't let it go over 210. I suppose full size ovens are fairly precise, but the knob on my $15 toaster oven is pretty far off so don't go by that alone. I only have to turn my toaster oven to 350 F to hit around 400 F, it overshoots about 50 degrees F. When I am doing a board I am always right there watching, so I just turn it to 350, wait for it to melt, give it about 30 seconds after everything seems melted, then turn it off and open up the door. Wait a few minutes and you can take out the board.
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

What you need is one of these for temperature
controlled re-flow soldering...


Jerry
 

Attachments

  • Reflow1.JPG
    Reflow1.JPG
    252.6 KB · Views: 199
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Messages
1,109
Points
0
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Wow, so how does it work exactly? Set the components in the paste, cook in the oven, *bing* you're done? Does the paste stick to the green part or just the pads?
 
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
185
Points
18
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

The green part of a pcb is anti solder last I checked, its like those fancy windshields that are hydrophobic. The solder just beads and refuses to stick.
 
Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
1,144
Points
48
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

The green part of a pcb is anti solder last I checked, its like those fancy windshields that are hydrophobic. The solder just beads and refuses to stick.

You got it. That's why it's called "soldermask". ;)
 
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
185
Points
18
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Haha yeah, I forgot the specific name of it. I just remember it as the thing that prevents screw ups :p
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Messages
1,109
Points
0
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Nice, thanks. I'm all over that stuff. My soldering is horrible. :)
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
6,891
Points
83
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Works in a regular electric oven as well :D
I have a small convection oven as well for this purpose.

I've done it with rkcstr drivers. IIRC the solder paste flows at around 450 degrees. It's real fun to watch. All of the sudden, all the components will just magically shift into place and center themselves on their pads.
 

LaZeRz

0
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Messages
2,549
Points
63
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Lol, I can imagine that happening :D

Since lead is toxic, if I put it in a normal oven would it contaminate food? We have a second oven that we use outside for cooking things with oil (so we dont mess up the walls and stink up the house) that I could use since we never use the oven part of it... We only use the top burners.

Also, if I was to buy some of this along with a syringe, do you think it would be sufficient?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/high-intensity-soldering-paste-20g-33705

+1 for helping me :)
 
Last edited:

Johnyz

0
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
421
Points
0
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

Yes, it WILL contaminate the oven. DO NOT use a oven that was used to reflow to cook food in. I'm jealous of you Americans... $15 toaster ovens... If I walked inside a electronics shop and said 'toustovací trouba' I would look like a total idiot... Are there any other names that you can find these under? :confused:
 

LaZeRz

0
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Messages
2,549
Points
63
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

In that case, I will buy a thermometer and use the old oven (since we dont use it for cooking anymore)

thanks :)
+1
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
17,622
Points
113
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

The trick is to slowly ramp up the temperature to just get
the solder to melt and adhere to the components and PCB
pads without going going too high in temperature to thermally
damage the electronic components.

The other thing to consider is thermal shock of the parts
and solder joints if heated and cooled too fast.

There are ramp up and ramp down procedures/sequences
that are followed to prevent this.


Jerry
 
Last edited:

LaZeRz

0
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Messages
2,549
Points
63
Re: New Boost Driver in Dev *Asking for investors*

So, if I was to use a normal oven with a thermometer attatched, and slowly up the temperatures and vice versa, do your reckon it will suffice?
 




Top