Jovy RE-7500 BGA rework station - software ?

[Fraser]

After discussing the potential purchase of a Puhui T890 with forum members in another thread, I decided to buy a used Jovy RE-7500 that matches my relatively humble needs. I am not looking to rework games platforms ! I currently have a T862++ but need something with the ability to run a thermal profile.

OK, so I found a suitable used RE-7500 in Estonia and managed to negotiate it down to a price I can afford, thanks to a very kind and friendly seller. That unit should last me many years so I see it as a long term investment.

Now the bad news..... it would appear that Jovy closed-down in 2018 A pity as their products appear to have a good reputation. German design, German components, assembled in Hong Kong !

Now the closing of the company would not normally be that much of a concern to Jovy rework station owners as consumable parts are available from other sources. The Software is a stumbling block however.  The Jovy units can be operated from the front panel but really deliver when connected to a PC. The original “Control Room” software for the RE-7500 was free and appears to be without any licence or activation requirement. I presume the RE-7500 is effectively the “licence” as its serial number is read-out during installation. The later RE-7550 and RE-8500 use a different software that most definitely has an activation requirement. You have to email Jovy all manner of information and they send you an activation code...... YUK! I hate that kind of activation as you are effectively stuck if the company disappears, as is the case here with Jovy  The software is a key component of many BGA rework stations, including the Jovy units, as it enables the user to create custom rework profiles to suit the job at hand. It enables uploading of different thermal profiles to the hardware and shows both progress and accuracy of the reflow process. You can even carry out manual reflow whilst using the Thermocouple temperature plot as a visual guide to guide your actions. Without software, you can miss a lot during a reflow.

I think I am OK with the Control Room software but I cannot download it via the Wayback Machine archives. I found an old 2012 version but wondered if anyone had a later version that they are willing to share with me please. No piracy issues as the software was a free download and I own a RE-7500 that acts as my licence.

I would love to hear from any fellow Jovy BGA station owners and welcome any hints and tips plus any rework profiles that you may be willing to share.

If anyone knows what happened to Jovy, I would be interested to hear. It seems too good a product to not be revived by another company or a reborn Jovy ?

Many Thanks in advance

Fraser

[Fraser]

On a different but applicable topic, I will be adding some accessories to my RE-7500 when it arrives. I was planning to add these to my T862++ or T890 but the Jovy will benefit from them too.

1. A decent quality LED light on a flexible gooseneck to illuminate the rework area.

2. A decent CCD camera with close-up zoom lens mounted on a bracket to enable viewing of the rework area or a BGA chip undergoing the recall process.

3. An Infrared Thermocouple, Type K, to monitor the IC that is being heated. This will not replace the contact thermocouple but rather provide another temperature measurement that will be monitored on a decent quality thermometer. High quality rework stations sometimes use such a non contact sensor for IC temperature monitoring within the control loop. I am not sure about that use with the Jovy system but the sensor I have is compatible with a standard K type thermocouple input so it is feasible.

4. Thermal masks for the top IR emitter to control the illumination of the PCB. The Jovy has these as an option already, but I suspect they are no longer available so I shall have to make some from Aluminium sheet. As Jovy show pictures of the masks I can replicate the design without fear of overheating the ceramic plate emitter.

Well that will do for now. I already have all the parts for the above accessories so no further expenditure required

I will now sell my two T862 units to people who need an entry level init for mobile phones etc 

Fraser

[Fraser]

I may have just answered my own question.

I have found a Polish site called “Hotair.pl” offering the software downloads, spares and accessories 

Hopefully they are picking up the ‘support’ for Jovy products ?

Software is here

https://www.hotair.pl/oprogramowaniejovy

Accessories are here

https://www.hotair.pl/pl/sklep/jovy-systems.html?limit=20&limitstart=0


Fraser

[Fraser]

I have just written to Robert at Hotair.pl asking about the continued availability of Jovy parts and accessories. I also asked if he knew about the situation with software activation.

Robert has a Facebook presence .... just search for Hotair Robert Mazurek and you will find it.

Fraser

[Fraser]

No response from Hotair.pl 

Fraser

[moss99]

Hi , did you get anywhere with hotair.pl  ? . i too have an RE - 7500 and looking for the top reflectors, i have just upgraded  the top heater in mine  ..

[Fraser]

Hi,

Yes I eventually got a response from them.

The top reflectors used to be 30 Euros from them but he quoted me 90 Euros so it is clear he wants to make maximum profit. I lost interest in the company at that point.

The top reflectors are easily made from Aluminium sheet. I also have some stainless steel Archi (?) reflectors that I intend to modify to fit the Jovy head.

What version of software are you using please ?

Would you detail your top heater upgrade as well please ?

Fraser

[moss99]

90 euro    , might look into making some , have you got any photos of them? ,,  the top heater is ELSTEIN RFS80  ,, software is control room v3.06  , i haven't  used it much at all , i bought a camera for it and  still waiting for it  to turn up  ...

[Fraser]

Yes I have pictures that I will post. I bought some pre cut aluminium plates that are perfect for the job. I also bought an inexpensive hand nibbler tool that will easily cut whatever size hole I want in the thin aluminium plate.

Fixing the plate to the head is something I have not got a solution for yet. The original Jovy design is actually not that good. You cannot use magnets either as they hate the heat. There are many options though.

I am unsure what the effect of the reflector plates will be on the heater or it’s surrounding casing. There will be a lot of heat reflected back into the head casing and there is no fan to move the air away quickly. It’s going to get very hot, especially if you upgraded the heater. I will probably ensure that there is space between the reflector plate/mask and head to allow air convection cooling.

I will find the aluminium plate supplier and nibbler tool for you and post details here.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Nibbler tool :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anvil-AV-NIBT-Nibbler-Tool/143413039913?hash=item2164155329:g:HCUAAOSwXqpdpzE8

The chap selling the packs of 10 precut 0.5mm aluminium plates has sold them all. You can find plenty of UK sellers of such on eBay though. Many will cut to your size spec upon request..

Fraser

[Fraser]

OK,

Details of the reflectors including hole dimensions......

http://www.skailoks.lv/shop/sheet/Heater_reflector.pdf


Pictures attached

Fraser

[moss99]

Thats great , thanks for that .. 

[itscoldoutside]

Thanks for posting all this Fraser lots of useful files and info for a new Jovy 7500 owner. I'd love to hear any updates if you have any, like if you ended up making any reflectors? or if you found a good CCD camera that's suitable.

I haven't really used mine yet, I had to do some minor repairs / tweaks because it wasn't packed very well when it was shipped to me. I also ordered the replacement 450w top heater that took several months to arrive. I've fitted it but sadly the mount / reflector wasn't included so I had to bend the old one in a new shape to get it to work. A bit of a bodge but it should be okay.