Selective Soldering Technology
The identification of new solutions by leveraging the most recent technologies undoubtedly leads to increased efficiency and performance of equipment used across various industries and fields of activity. This is why our company is constantly focused on the adoption, development, production, and distribution of technologies for electronic components that can bring real benefits in terms of final product quality.
These concepts always aim at product improvement, reducing the time required to manufacture a component, and lowering maintenance costs for equipment that uses the produced components.
Within our EMS services area, since 2022 we have made available to all clients the latest circuit assembly and finishing technology, provided by the newest generation of selective soldering equipment developed by Nordson (Integra series). It offers numerous advantages compared to wave soldering or manual soldering.
What is selective soldering?
The construction of a printed circuit board (PCB) involves two production processes: fabrication and assembly. Fabrication refers to building the physical structure of the board. Assembly takes place when all electronic components are placed and fixed onto the board, resulting in what is known as a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly).
To ensure specific properties and improve the quality, functionality, and durability of the board, the soldering method used for component assembly is extremely important. The technological process is performed using a machine that solders circuits and electronic components onto the printed circuit board. For this purpose, it is equipped with software, sensors, a pumping system, and a reservoir containing soldering material, which is applied through different types of nozzles, precisely bonding components from the underside of the boards. The solder is applied only to contact areas that ensure electrical connection between components and the circuit board.
The mechanism used in this soldering method is designed for multi-directional and multi-level movement assembly. These movements are coordinated by dedicated software, controlled by a trained operator. Custom programs can be developed for each circuit or panel to be assembled.
In addition to the specialized motion, programming allows the operator engineer to control application time and temperature during soldering. These parameters ensure more precise results and prevent overheating of certain areas or components, which could otherwise affect product compliance.
What are the advantages of selective soldering technology?
Computer-controlled assembly and selective soldering processes provide numerous advantages in the execution and results of PCB manufacturing. The resulting products have significantly improved characteristics compared to those produced by manual soldering or wave soldering.
In many industries, the trend is to eliminate rework processes caused by soldering defects in order to reduce waste, costs, and potential additional issues. Therefore, a modern technology that minimizes risks and problems while increasing efficiency creates significant opportunities.
The most important advantages of selective soldering technology are:
- Significantly reduces production defects
- Ensures improved PCB design quality
- Provides higher accuracy in soldering all components
- Allows soldering and joining of different parts made of different materials across multiple levels
- Enables soldering both horizontally and at various angles
- Supports highly complex and precise assembly tasks
- Combination of multiple solder nozzles and temperature control increases safety in complex soldering processes without damaging boards or components
- Uses less soldering material
- Temperature is precisely controlled, preventing damage to boards, circuits, or components
- Higher precision throughout the process and improved compliance
- Faster assembly process
- Processes can be customized for each project and specific requirements
- Can be used for double-sided or multi-layer soldering
- Reduces production errors
To achieve the performance provided by this technology, we have trained the personnel operating the soldering line (operators and engineers).
This new technology brings numerous benefits for all those interested in increasing production capacity, improving assembly quality, enhancing production flexibility, and optimizing delivery times and conditions. It can be successfully used for customized, complex projects, both small and large scale, with high component density.