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.
Thermal soak zone with temperature ranging from 60 to 120 is the next stage for the circuit board. The purpose is the removal of solder paste volatiles and flux activation (oxide reduction from leads and pads). Temperature control at this phase is also very essential. Too high temperature leads to damage to the PCB and the components while too low temperature leads for failure of full oxidation of flux.
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 stage is the cooling zone where the circuit board and its component are cooled. This process too is done under efficient temperature control as sudden temperature changes may result to thermal shock. It is also important to avoid excessive metallic formation at this stage as the desired finished circuit board should have components attached with fined grained structured solder making it mechanically sound.
In the modern ovens with the most up to date technology, there is usually no need for solder to flow more than once as these advances techniques guarantees that the granules in the paste can surpass the reflow temperature of the solder used. The trick is therefore to select an oven that can perform optimally at all the phases resulting into the best possible PCB with attached components.
The changing customer needs, competition, market condition and the general technology all calls for adopting measures that optimizes operating efficiency in terms of yield and profitability. It is such measures that can ensure the survival of a firm into the future. For assembly firms in particular, an efficient and modern reflow soldering oven is more than necessary as it increases the production rate and minimizes on power consumption.
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.
Thermal soak zone with temperature ranging from 60 to 120 is the next stage for the circuit board. The purpose is the removal of solder paste volatiles and flux activation (oxide reduction from leads and pads). Temperature control at this phase is also very essential. Too high temperature leads to damage to the PCB and the components while too low temperature leads for failure of full oxidation of flux.
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 stage is the cooling zone where the circuit board and its component are cooled. This process too is done under efficient temperature control as sudden temperature changes may result to thermal shock. It is also important to avoid excessive metallic formation at this stage as the desired finished circuit board should have components attached with fined grained structured solder making it mechanically sound.
In the modern ovens with the most up to date technology, there is usually no need for solder to flow more than once as these advances techniques guarantees that the granules in the paste can surpass the reflow temperature of the solder used. The trick is therefore to select an oven that can perform optimally at all the phases resulting into the best possible PCB with attached components.
The changing customer needs, competition, market condition and the general technology all calls for adopting measures that optimizes operating efficiency in terms of yield and profitability. It is such measures that can ensure the survival of a firm into the future. For assembly firms in particular, an efficient and modern reflow soldering oven is more than necessary as it increases the production rate and minimizes on power consumption.
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