Fluxmeter

The Optical Flux Plume system uses a sensor mounted opposite an LED light source. A sponge pad is mounted above the Flux Plume Sensor assembly to absorb the flux spray during Plume Sensing operation. The Flux Head is positioned below and between the two sensors and the signal is first measured before the flux is fired. This measurement is held in a “sample and hold circuit”, while a second measurement is taken during flux firing. The two readings are then compared and the difference is used as a measurement of the Flux Plume. Threshold levels can be set at to provide an error message when the Flux Plume Reading is out of the threshold range. The Flux Plume sensor is based on an optical emitter/detector system that looks for a difference in reading when the flux is being sprayed. To ensure valid readings the checks are made by averaging 25 readings. The sequence of operation is: • The Fluxer Head moves to the Plume Sensor Offset position. • The Plume sensor is zeroed. This is to allow the detector to compensate for ambient backlight. • The Flux head starts to spray flux. • Twenty-five readings of the Plume detector are then averaged to produce the resultant data value. • The flux spray is then switched off. • The data value is then compared to the minimum value. If the data value is below this value then an error message is generated. If an error is detected and the Pillarhouse system is in auto-cycle then a Red error is generated and the auto-cycle is stopped.