Sunday, January 5, 2014

Reflow Soldering Oven: Survival Of Assembly Plants

By Harriett Crosby


Assembling electronic components on to printed circuit board (PCB) traditionally depends on soldering them on to that motherboard. In a well functioning reflow soldering oven, the best possible results are usually achieved. The technique is one of the most modern the widely used for this kind of attachments although just like other forms of technologies, it is too undergoing revolution.

The heat in the majority of these ovens is produced from ceramic infrared heaters, and then directed to assembly chambers through radiation process. The infrared ones uses fans to force heat into the assembly chambers where the PCB and the components are exposed to optimal temperatures for melting of the solder for permanent fixing of the components on to the PCB.

A basic reflow oven has four stages through which the operation goes to be complete. The starting point is the preheat zone. This is where the temperature/time rate (ramp rate) is determined. It is the rate at which the temperature of the mounting board and the electrical components on it changes relative to time. This is significant as it helps determine the maximum temperatures possible that can be reached and for how long. The solvent in the mix also starts evaporating at this point.

The PCB is then taken to the thermal soak zone where the removal of solder paste volatiles takes place. Flux activation which involves freeing of leads and pads of any oxide then follows. The temperature range is anywhere between 60 to 120 degrees primary depending on the predetermined ramp rate.

The reflow zone is the third place where the temperatures reaches maximum peak, usually above the liquidus point. The soldering paste is molten under efficiently controlled conditions reducing the surface tension of flux at the point of metal juncture. The result of this process is the permanent fixing of electrical components on to the circuit board. The ramp rate and temperature control is highly significant at this phase. The sudden change of temperatures from the soak zone to above liquidus can easily destroy the devices through temperature shock and thus calls for very efficient control mechanisms.

The last phase for the PCB is the cooling zone where the board and its components cool and the soldier solidifies. The temperature control is also significant here to avoid thermal shock excess intermetallic formation. The primary goal here is to achieve a mechanically sound and fine grain structure.

With the modern sophisticated ovens, the most up to date technologies are employed to give the best possible yields. These are operated by modern setup processes that identify the best possible combination of zonal temperatures and conveyor speed. Among other things, the production time has been significantly minimized greatly increasing efficiency.

The business environment around us is rapidly changing particularly in regards to the customers, market, technology and competition hence the need to continuously review or operating methods to be sure they are optimal. The best reflow soldering oven guarantees maximum productivity and profitability for assembly firms and other businesses require soldering.




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