Optimization of nitrogen diffusers for dross reduction in a wavesolder machine

A wave soldering machine to perform a wave soldering operation on an electronic substrate, the wave soldering machine comprising:

• a wave soldering station including a solder pot having a reservoir of solder material, a flow duct positioned in the reservoir of the solder pot, and a wave soldering nozzle assembly coupled to the flow duct, the nozzle assembly being configured to generate a solder wave having a load side and an unload side;
• a conveyor configured to deliver an electronic substrate to the wave soldering station, the conveyor further being configured to move the electronic substrate over the solder wave from the load side to the unload side;
• a first gas diffuser configured to supply gas to pass over the solder wave on the load side of the solder wave and a second gas diffuser configured to supply gas to pass over the solder wave on the unload side of the solder wave, the first gas diffuser and the second gas diffuser providing a gas blanket over the solder wave;
• and
• a third gas diffuser configured to supply gas below the solder wave on the load side of the solder wave and a fourth gas diffuser configured to supply gas below the solder wave on the unload side of the solder wave, the third gas diffuser and the fourth gas diffuser providing a gas blanket under the solder wave.