Pre-heater latch and seal mechanism for wave solder machine and related method

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

• a pre-heating station configured to heat the electronic substrate;
• a wave soldering station configured to attach electronic components to the electronic substrate with solder;
• and
• a conveyor configured to transport substrates through a tunnel passing through the pre-heating station and the wave soldering station,
• wherein the pre-heating station includes at least one pre-heater including
• a support frame assembly,
• a support tray slidably coupled to the support frame assembly, the support tray being movable between a closed position in which the support tray is slid into the support frame assembly and an open position in which the support tray is slid out of the support frame assembly,
• a heater disposed in the support tray, and
• a latch mechanism configured to releasably secure the support tray in the closed position.