Solder materials for PCBs assembly

• What is soldering in PCBs? 

Soldering within PCBs is the way of joining components on PCBs surfaces by melting and putting a filler metal (solder) into the joint. Based on the substrate materials you are soldering; you must choose the solder with a lower melting point. 

• Methods of soldering on PCBs 

1. Hand soldering 

Hand soldering is done for through-hole electronic components using soldering iron or soldering station. Hand soldering is not meant for mass production. It is done for repairing and repairing rejected PCBs during mass production or for repairing faulty Printed Circuit Boards after using electronic products for a long time.

2. Automate soldering 

Automated soldering is done for mass production. It can be done by using a Wave Soldering machine, Reflow machine or Automatic SMT Machine. 

– Wave Soldering machine 

Wave soldering is a large-scale soldering process by which electronic components are soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) to form an electronic assembly. The name is derived from the use of waves of molten solder to attach metal components to PCBs.

A wave soldering machine consists of a Flux Applicator, a Pre-heat Tunnel, and a Pumped Wave of Solder. 

The process is much faster and can create a higher quality product than manual soldering of components, suitable for mass production. 

– Reflow machine 

Reflow soldering is the most widely used method of attaching surface mount components to printed circuit boards (PCBs).  The aim of the process is to form acceptable solder joints by first pre-heating the components/PCB/solder paste and then melting the solder without causing damage by overheating.

A reflow soldering machine consists of Pre-heat process, Thermal Soak process, Reflow and cooling process. 

– SMT machine 

SMT (surface mount technology) component placement systems, commonly called Pick-and-Place machines or P&Ps, are robotic machines which are used to place surface-mount devices (SMDs) onto a printed circuit board (PCB).

A SMT machine typically includes three steps: Solder Paste printing, Components placement and Reflow soldering.

• Materials for soldering  

1. Solder paste Solder paste develops in the direction of halogen-free, temperature stable. Find out more about solder paste: https://prostech.vn/products/application/soldering/solder-paste/
2. Solder wire  Key benefits: Broad range of melting points Durable mechanical bonding Range of diameters Low oxide formulations Formulations for both manual and automated processes Find out more about Solder wires: https://prostech.vn/products/by-market/general-industrial/
3. Solder bar
4. Flux for Pre-soldering Key benefits: Exceptional soldering performance Electrically safe, high surface insulation resistance (SIR) Minimal residue Suited to a broad range of applications and metallic substrates For wave and selective soldering automated process Find out more about Solder flux: https://prostech.vn/products/by-market/general-industrial/

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