SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING WAVE WELDING FINGERS

Abstract

A wave soldering machine includes a wave soldering station configured to create a solder wave used to perform the wave soldering operation on the printed circuit board. The wave soldering machine further includes a finger conveyor system configured to deliver a printed circuit board to the wave soldering station. The finger conveyor system includes at least one chain conveyor, which includes a chain having a plurality of fingers configured to support an edge of the printed circuit board. The finger conveyor system further includes a finger detection system having a tension roller assembly configured to engage each finger of the plurality of fingers. The tension roller assembly is further configured to move in response to engaging a finger in a non-operating position.The finger conveyor system also includes a sensor configured to detect the movement of the tension roller assembly to the non-operational position.