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SMT Reflow Soldering Oven: How It Work

By Harriett Crosby


When it comes to soldering of electrical components on to printed circuit board (PCB), surface mount technology (SMT) is the most widely used method. The SMT reflow soldering oven is the machine that has greatly contributed to this technology. Highly technical principles in bonding are all put together to ensure optimal functionality of this particular machine that has literally transformed the electronics industry. In addition to precise control of this process, the machine consumes less power than other methods used and produces more products per unit time than any other method.

The reflow soldering is the process of joining electronic devices to the printed circuit boards as the contact pads. This requires the use of solder paste and heat to attach the components. It is the SMT reflow soldering oven that is best in this. It allows for better control of heating process that minimizes chances of defective components.

The beginning point is making of the soldering paste. This is a mixture of flux, some chemical used as cleaning agent and small solder particles. This makes a sticky paste that is used to loosely hold the electronics on to their predetermined positions on the PCB.

Through a conveyor belt, the PCB and the mounted components are directed into the oven. This requires time and temperature precision to avoid destroying any of the components. There are four phases that these components pass through in the oven. In starts at preheat zone where time/temperature rate (ramp rate) is determined. This is important to the other zones too as it gives the correct temperature to be used. The melting point of solvent is also set here.

The second zone is the thermal soak zone. Removal of paste volatiles takes place here through a 60 to 120 second heat exposure of the PCB at a predetermined temperature. This is followed by the reflow stage, the stage in which the whole thing happens. Printed circuit board and components are exposed to the highest possible temperatures. The tolerable (liquidus) temperature for each of the component is determined and the maximum temperature is set just below it. This forces reduction between the surface tension between solder particles so that they melt at the point of contact on the pad.

In the fourth and final zone, the process of cooling takes place. This too is a controlled process. The heating and cooling is such controlled that the PCB and components are not exposed to thermal shock. This is perhaps what makes SMT reflow soldering oven outperform all other methods of bonding.

The heaters in these types of oven are made of ceramic materials with various options through which heat reaches the heating zones. The heat transfer can either be through hot air (radiation) and infrared electromagnetic radiation among other alternatives.

SMT reflow soldering oven comes with a number of advantages such as simpler and much faster automated assemblies, very small levels of errors in component mounting, high level of production rate (some capable of placing up to 136,000 components per hour), possible to mount components on both side of the PCB, and electrical efficiency.

In order to remain relevant in electrical assembly industry, just like any other industry, it is important to use highly efficient and most up-to-date technology. There are latest models SMT reflow soldering oven that offers efficiency level that results to high productivity and profitability to a firm.




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