Yonghong FBS series PLC is used in small lead-free wave soldering machines

I. Overview
Traditional wave soldering machines are typically large and produced on assembly lines, but some customers, such as laboratories, schools, and small factories, require smaller, lead-free wave soldering machines. An electronics manufacturer developed such a product, utilizing a Yung-Hong FBS series PLC and a Panelvisa touchscreen. This equipment needs to control three temperatures, requiring three PID controllers. The Yung-Hong FBS series PLC can handle up to eight PID controllers, meeting the equipment's requirements. Combined with the Panelvisa touchscreen, it offers excellent cost-effectiveness.
II. Brief Description of the Process
The dual-wave soldering machine first needs to set the solder temperature, preheating temperature, and preheating compensation temperature to their designated values. Once these conditions are met, the machine can begin production. The PCB board is placed on the track, the start switch is pressed, the conveyor motor starts, the air pump starts, and flux is sprayed. After flux application to the PCB board is complete, the air pump stops after a delay. When the PCB board reaches the left preheating zone, the conveyor motor stops, and the PCB board stops in the preheating zone. The preheating countdown begins; after the time is up, the conveyor motor starts, the PCB board moves to the right, and the solder pump motor starts spraying solder. The PCB board passes through the preheating compensation temperature zone and enters the solder spraying zone. After passing the solder spraying zone, the solder pump stops. When the PCB board reaches the right side, the conveyor motor stops, and the cooling fan motor starts. This completes one cycle.
III. Hardware Configuration
Input points: detection of switch quantities, operation of switches, etc.
The detected switch quantities are: right-point switch and left-point switch.
The operating switches include: start switch and emergency stop switch.
Output points: heating solid-state relays for three zones, transmission motor, two tin pump motors, exhaust motor, air pump motor, cooling motor, and power-on self-protection point.
Analog input points: Temperature detection in three zones.
Both the transmission motor and the solder pump motor require speed control, which is achieved using frequency converters. The speed needs to be set via communication.
Hardware configuration:
Model Quantity Function
FBS-32MA 1 Main Controller, AC 220V Input, Relay Output
FBS-16EYT 1 8x24V, Transistor Output Module
FBS-6TC 1 4-channel thermocouple input module
Panelvisa Touchscreen PV057TST 1 Human-Machine Interface
IV. Programming
The programming includes PLC programs and touch screen programs, which have four main functions: equipment parameters, manual debugging, production screen, and alarm query.
Here are some features: Every action of the equipment can be completed in the manual debugging screen, which is very useful when starting to debug and repair the equipment.
Equipment parameters can be set via the touchscreen, including temperature, time, and PID coefficients.
Alarm queries can quickly pinpoint the cause of a fault.
The production screen displays all the data and buttons used in production, allowing users to monitor the temperature and process indicators of the three zones and perform operations within these screens.
The speed settings for the transmission motor and solder pump motor are configured via the touchscreen and transmitted to the PLC, which then transmits the settings to the frequency converters of each motor through PORT1. This utilizes the MODBUS master station functionality of the PLC, which is very convenient.
Since the tin pot needs time to cool down, a power-off button is included. When this button is pressed, the PLC starts a timer, and the power is cut off when the temperature drops to 80 degrees Celsius. This allows users to leave work without waiting for the temperature to drop completely, which is safer.
V. Conclusion
After its successful application in a semi-automatic precision screen printing machine at an electronics factory, Yung-Hong PLC has also been successfully applied to a small wave soldering machine. The equipment manufacturer believes that the complete set of Yung-Hong PLC and Panelvisa touchscreen offers excellent value for money. This configuration will be gradually applied to more equipment in the future.