Operation

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This section guides the user through a typical collection process. Portions of this section will require referral to some software sections of the Users Help Guide for additional information.

 

The M.O.L.E. Profiler is dependent on the software to control how it collects and interprets data. Several kinds of data runs may need to be performed to achieve desired information, or the same data run may be performed repeatedly over time to monitor one process. Either way, an data run will need to be setup at least once.

 

After the hardware is setup and the software is installed, use the following steps to perform an experiment using a M.O.L.E. Profiler.

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This procedure uses the "Fresh Start" wizard for the typical data run process.

Step 1: Set MAP information

1)Start the software by double clicking on the program icon.
2)Connect the M.O.L.E. Profiler to the computer. Refer to topic Basics>Setup>Communications Setup for more information.

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When the information is being sent to a SuperM.O.L.E. Gold Profiler the Activity LED will illuminate indicating that it is communicating with the computer properly.
3)Make sure the M.O.L.E. Profiler Power Pack battery is fully charged. When a M.O.L.E. Profiler is selected, the software status bar displays the current battery voltage. Refer to topic Software>Features>Status Bar for more information.
4)On the File menu, click New/Start. A message box appears with the three workflow wizard options.

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6)On the Start dialog box, click the Fresh Start command button and the workflow wizard appears.

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When navigating through the wizard, the step list on the left uses a color key to inform the user of the current step, steps that have been completed and remaining steps.

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Current

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Completed

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Remaining
7)Select the desired instrument from the list box to make active. If there are none listed, click the Scan for Instruments command button to detect all available instruments.

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MAP software allows multiple instruments to be connected to a computer at one time. Selecting the Scan for Instruments command button will detect all instruments and display them in the list. If no instrument is detected, the default Demonstration MEGAM.O.L.E.® profiler is displayed.

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8)Click the Next command button.
9)Select a machine from the Machine drop down list. If the desired machine does not appear in the list click the New command button to create a new machine. Refer to topic Software>Menus>Machine>Create new Machine for more information.

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10)Set the machine recipe settings such as Conveyor Speed, Zone Temperatures and Temperature units.

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The software includes features to save and load machine recipe setting files. These files are helpful so the user can quickly recall machine information and ensure it is always the same.

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11)Click the Next command button.

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If no value is specified for the conveyor speed or the default oven temperature values, the software will remind the user to set them.

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12)Enter the assembly information such as part number, board size, sensor locations and a product image.

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If a product image has been selected, clicking the Enlarge command button displays the Set Sensor Locations dialog box where the user can specify the locations of each sensor. To move sensor locations, drag the sensor markers to the approximate location where the sensors are attached.

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13)When finished, click the OK command button to accept or Cancel to return without making any changes.
14)Click the Next command button.
15)Attach sensors to a test assembly.

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When soldering a T/C sensor to a component with high temperature solder, use Kester SN10 (or equivalent) for 183°C eutetic solder or Kester SN5 (or equivalent) for lead free soldering.
16)Unwind the sensor leads and attach the connectors to the M.O.L.E. Profiler. Make sure to connect them to the same channel(s) that were configured in the wizard workflow. For example, if configuring the M.O.L.E. Profiler to have Channels 1 through 5 active, be sure the sensors are attached to the same five channels.

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Kapton® tape, aluminum tape and Temprobe™ can also be used to hold T/C wire to the test assembly.

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17)Select your process specification. The user can select a Paste from the database or a pre-defined Target 10 file. Then  select a Profile Type (Ramp-Soak-Spike or Ramp-to-Spike). If your Paste does not appear in the database list click the New command button to create a new paste. Refer to topic Software>Menus>Process>Create new Paste for more information.

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Once a paste is selected the specifications are displayed on the graph. The software also allows paste specification data to be viewed in a table view by clicking the Table command button.

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18)Click the Next command button
19)Set Recording Parameters such as the instrument name, recording interval, start parameters and stop parameters. This step is where the user can also turn a sensor channel ON or OFF, set the sensor location description and sensor type. Refer to topic Software>Menus>M.O.L.E.>Set Recording Parameters for detailed information for each setting.

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20)Click the Next command button.
21)Click the Next command button to send the recording parameters to the instrument.

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22)Click the Next command button.

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Step 2: Perform Data Run

1) Place the M.O.L.E. Profiler in the appropriate thermal barrier making sure the Thermocouple and/or Sensor wires are not damaged.

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Never permit the M.O.L.E. Profiler to exceed the absolute maximum warranteed internal temperature, as permanent damage may result. The warranty will not cover damage caused by exceeding the maximum specified internal temperature.

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2)After the oven stabilizes, turn the M.O.L.E. Profiler on and press the record button.

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The record button will need to be pressed even if the M.O.L.E. profiler is configured to start if the start parameters Trigger Temperature or Points Delay are configured.
3)Pass the thermally protected M.O.L.E. Profiler and test assembly through the machine.

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It is highly recommended that protective gloves are used when retrieving the thermal barrier from the oven and when opening the thermal barrier.
4)As the test assembly and M.O.L.E. Profiler emerge from the machine, carry the test assembly with sensors attached and the M.O.L.E. Profiler in the Thermal barrier to a table or flat surface.

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If a sensor is removed before the M.O.L.E. Profiler has stopped collecting data, the data for that channel might become distorted.
5)Open the Thermal barrier and if the Activity LED is still flashing this means the M.O.L.E. Profiler is still recording and it must be stopped.
6)Remove the M.O.L.E. Profiler from the Thermal barrier. Handle it carefully, as the case may still be warm.
7)Disconnect the sensors from the M.O.L.E. Profiler and place it near the computer.

Step 3: Read Data Run

1)Restore the software and click the Finish command button to read the data run from the M.O.L.E. Profiler.

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2)When the data run has been downloaded, the software will suggest a default file name or prompt the user to specify a new file name.

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3)When finished, click the Save command button.
4)The software then prompts the user if they want to enter Prediction mode. Entering prediction mode enables the user to change a zone temperature values or the conveyor speed and predict the outcome of that change on the data run profile. Refer to topic Software>Menus>Tools>Prediction for more information.

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5)Click the Predict command button to enter Prediction mode or Done to complete the workflow wizard .

 

The information is automatically saved in the data run file (.XMG) and the experiment data can now be analyzed with the software tools.