Wave solder finger detection system and method

A wave soldering machine to perform a wave soldering operation on a printed circuit board, the wave soldering machine comprising:

• a housing;
• a wave soldering station coupled to the housing, the wave soldering station being configured to create a solder wave used to perform the wave soldering operation on the printed circuit board;
• and
• a finger conveyor system coupled to the housing and configured to deliver a printed circuit board through the housing to the wave soldering station, the finger conveyor system including
• a first chain conveyor having a first chain with a first plurality of fingers configured to support an edge of the printed circuit board,
• a second chain conveyor having a second chain with a second plurality of fingers configured to support an opposite edge of the printed circuit board,
• a first finger detection system positioned proximate to the first chain conveyor, and
• a second finger detection system positioned proximate to the second chain conveyor, each of the first finger detection system and the second finger detection system including
• a tension roller assembly configured to engage each finger of the plurality of fingers, the tension roller assembly further being configured to move in response to engaging a finger in a non-operational position, and
• a sensor configured to detect movement of the tension roller assembly to the non-operational position.