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The Hot-Air (re)Work & SMD Soldering Thread — Parallax Forums

The Hot-Air (re)Work & SMD Soldering Thread

CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
edited 2009-06-23 21:46 in General Discussion
KEYWORDS: SMD, hot air, hot-air rework,·stencil, soldering, solder paste,·soldering tools, soldering equipment, solder wick, toaster oven, how do I solder SMD


This thread is intended to help you learn - and to encourage you to·try -·SMD (Surface Mount Devices) methods.

Don't worry: many·of us here feel·a bit intimidated trying to work·with such small components.

If you would like to learn more about·SMD techniques, please·post your questions in this thread.

If you know and use these techniques, please·do contribute your tips and experience. Links are always welcome.

Discussion and direct help very much wanted.


thanks for your assistance!
-Howard in Florida
(an SMD N00B [noparse]:)[/noparse]

[noparse]/noparse][u]EDIT ---[color=white]·[/color][b]check back[color=white]·[/color]here for new links[color=white]·[/color]appended as we[color=white]·[/color]find them[/b] ---[/u

HollyMinkowski found a basic hot air station for USD 118 delivered for a 100% rated seller --- and look through this thread for other deals and links.
stores.shop.ebay.com/TheBestLuckCorner__W0QQ_armrsZ1

From a tip Mike Green gave about an SMD·tutorial on SparkFun,·we found this:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/tutorial_info.php?tutorials_id=36

06/18/09 = Drag soldering technique:
http://www.howardelectronics.com/jbc/dragsoldering.html

06/20/09 = Zyphertronics desoldering·system (watch the interesting video, mid page):·
http://www.ameritronics.com/lowmelt_desolder_wire_de-solder_removes_chip_quickly.htm

06/21/09 = SMD,·a 10,000 foot view, but does review the various techniques used in solder (re)work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-mount_technology

mctrivia's link to a cool [noparse]:)[/noparse] DYI reflow soldering oven (see links at page bottom for some GPL Linux electronics tools):·
http://web.interware.hu/lekovacs/reflow_oven/index.html

Oven from the links at the bottom of ^that page --- (or, when your spouse asks, "hey, where'd the toaster oven go??"):
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/200006/oven_art.htm

7/14/09 From the prop forum, discussion about solder pastes
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=806251
_____________________________________________________________________________·
Link from·the Propeller forum,·titled "BOOST Propeller Chip?", that spawned this thread:
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=816568

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Post Edited (CounterRotatingProps) : 7/14/2009 8:56:41 PM GMT
«1

Comments

  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-18 23:59
    The best technic I have found is to use a stencil, solder paste and a convection toaster oven.

    Stencils cost $20
    Toaster I paid $50
    Past I forget but not expensive and does lots of boards.

    Hoe to use.
    Place stencil over board
    Put past on 1 side.
    Use old credit card to draw paste over board.
    Remove stencil
    Place parts
    Pre heat toaster to 200 f
    Let boards sit for 4 min
    Turn temperatur to 325 f
    When elements turn off time 2 min
    Turn temp to 450f
    When solder starts to go molten time 30 second
    Turn off
    Bang toaster gently to let parts self seat.
    Open door and give 10 min to cool down.

    If no stencil use syringe solder.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-19 00:01
    My pcb are cheap and make good practice platform for using qfn prop

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-19 00:04
    mctrivia, can you please explain more about the Stencils? (Keep in mind many who may read this thread may be rank N00Bs at this like me [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    thanks !
    -H
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-19 00:06
    After work I can. I am on my blackberry now.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-19 00:18
    There is a thread in sandbox on later cut stencils. Stensils are nicer but sering solder works well also

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-19 01:15
    i got my stencils made at: http://ohararp.com/Stencils.html

    here is an example of the file they need. this file makes the stencil for the top of all my propmodules.

    what would you like to know about them?

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    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.

    Post Edited (mctrivia) : 6/19/2009 1:21:17 AM GMT
    pads
    pads
    panel.pads
    7K
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-06-19 01:36
    I looked at that SMD tutorial at SparkFun and I think it's great!
    Pretty much all you need to know. Just get a hot air station and a big roll
    of solder wick and you are good to go.

    The Hot Air station I gave the link for in China looks pretty much the same
    as the one at SparkFun but at about 1/2 the cost delivered.
    If you get it do be sure and get the 10pak of tips for the iron at the same time
    for $8 as shipping is free for them if ordered with the station.

    A good way to learn is to take the boards out of defunct electronics and practice
    creating and solving problems using the sm devices that are on all circuit boards.

    And do be sure to not breath too much of the stinky smoke you make when
    practicing smile.gif
    3ebc_1.JPG
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-06-19 04:20
    Here is a rework station for $97.48
    I like the looks of the one above better though but this might be fine
    and UPS delivery from CA is included in the price.
    cgi.ebay.com/SMT-SMD-Hot-Air-Desolder-Rework-Station-Welder_W0QQitemZ200292257268QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea2594df4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A2103|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
    852D-1.png
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 01:35
    @Holly: I'm almost scared to ask you if you can find one still cheaper wink.gif - what a bargain hunter (huntress?) you are!

    > I looked at that SMD tutorial at SparkFun and I think it's great!

    Yes, they have a lot of good things there indeed.

    What do you all think of the soldering tweezers?

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    Post Edited (CounterRotatingProps) : 6/20/2009 7:08:24 PM GMT
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 01:55
    hot air: www.ameritronics.com/hotairreworkstation.htm
    syringe: www.ameritronics.com/lead-free_solder_paste_RoHS_nolead-10cc.htm

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 01:56
    tweezer tips are really nice for removing surface mount parts. never used for any other purpose.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 19:10
    > Stensils are nicer but sering solder works well also

    @mctrivia: what's 'sering' solder - is it some form of solder paste?

    RE: Lead-free solder

    With all the RoHS stuff on the market, I've been wondering what happens if you accidently try to solder a lead-free component with leaded solder, or vice versa --- does it make an unusable mess, cold joints, etc?

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 19:13
    almost all components now are rohs compliant or exempt(lithium cells are except). there is no problems using leaded solder on them or unleaded. you are just not allowed to sell in europe if you use leaded.

    syringe solder was a type. it is a suspended solder that comes in a syringe to allow for accurate placement.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-06-20 19:15
    mctrivia said...
    My pcb are cheap and make good practice platform for using qfn prop

    I agree whole-heartedly with this ... just destroyed two of them this week [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Bought a $30 600F heat-gun from Halted Specialties yesterday. Works great for removing parts.

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 19:18
    hope your pcb are still ok so you can try again. once you get the nack of it they are not hard to work with.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 19:22
    Steve,

    I was just thinking about heatguns instead of the rework stations.
    Obviously a heatgun is a tad more out of control

    > just destroyed two of [noparse][[/noparse]mctrivia's boards] this week [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    > Bought a $30 600F heat-gun from Halted Specialties yesterday. Works great for removing parts.

    Was the destruction before or after (that is WITH) the heat gun??

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 19:27
    i have used a heat gun in the past to solder bga chips on to a board. you get 1 chance because the board will start caramelizing from the high heat.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-06-20 19:36
    The gun I bought has a half-inch tapered nozzle. No trouble with carmelization yet.
    Worked better than the toaster oven for me [noparse]:)[/noparse] Less waiting, power consumption, localized airflow, etc....

    I bought those two boards specifically to experiment with QFN Propellers.

    The placement silk-screen is priceless ... I have some boards without it, and I screwed with one all day.
    My question is: once you place the chip for the oven, how do keep it from wondering out of place?

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 19:41
    Placement silkscreen is a must for QFN or BGA chips.

    Surface tension will make the pins want to center themselves on the pad. As long as you are not off by more then 1.5x the pad spacing it should work. This is the reason for the tap the oven when done instruction it helps the chips move to the center of the pads.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 19:52
    > what would you like to know about [noparse][[/noparse]Stencils] ?

    OK, for those of us who've never done this...

    it looks like many of the stencils are made of a tradename polyimide film called "Kapton" 1), which is then cut using a laser, leaving reveals.

    Does the stencil make the pads?

    _____________________________________________________
    1)http://www2.dupont.com/Kapton/en_US/
    see also:
    http://www.professionalplastics.com/KAPTONFILMPOLYIMIDE

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    Post Edited (CounterRotatingProps) : 6/20/2009 8:02:41 PM GMT
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 19:58
    no the stencil does not make the pads. The stencil goes over the board and lines up with the pads to allow placement of the solder paste easily and acurately on the pads.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 19:59
    Right, sorry, I should have re-read your instructions earlier! I forgot you posted that!

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 20:04
    no problem.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-20 20:14
    RE Stencil solder paste placement, this guy makes it look easy, like buttering bread [noparse]:)[/noparse]



    mctrivia, you mentioned BGA chips just a bit ago,

    can you soldering one of those in your easy-bake [noparse]:)[/noparse] oven ? They look pretty intimidating!

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-20 20:17
    yep. BGA are not that hard. I find they are actually easier then QFN if you place vias under the pads.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • mikedivmikediv Posts: 825
    edited 2009-06-21 01:33
    HollyMinkowski what an awesome thread I have just ordered the China hot air re-work station I have been putting off dealing with SMT in anyway possible , but the more projects I build the more space I need and the more SMT I run into
    I love this and welcome any info available ,, Mike should make this a sticky

    I would love more info on solder paste?? and Stencils,, is it possible to just handle the majority of SMT stuff with just using hot air re-work and solder paste ,, Do you have to use stencils , The reason I ask it looks kind of hard to fiddle with placemnet of some of the stencils I have seen unless I am looking at the wrong thing,, I also tried the heat gun it was like shooting a mouse with a bazooka even with the differant tips my biggest problem is how to tell when the solder paste has really melted most the time if I Wait for it to get shiny the circuit board starts to turn black and smoke

    Post Edited (mikediv) : 6/21/2009 1:40:41 AM GMT
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-06-21 01:37
    welcome to the wonderful world of surface mount.

    I am currently offering a bulk discount on my pcb to the first 4 that take advantage. 20PCB for $50. If you order 10 PCB on my site and mention this deal in the notes I will send you 20.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are now in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • Greg LaPollaGreg LaPolla Posts: 324
    edited 2009-06-21 16:49
    I recently got a similar unit from here. They sell them 10 bucks cheaper on ebay all the time. This unit has a vacuum pump that catches the smoke from the solder gun and pumps it through a carbon filter. The quality is pretty good.


    Greg
  • CounterRotatingPropsCounterRotatingProps Posts: 1,132
    edited 2009-06-21 19:35
    @Greg: the unit Holly posted earlier is < 100 USD delivered. Do you think the vacuum pump on the one you mention is worth the extra $78 (with shipping) ?

    > like shooting a mouse with a bazooka

    @mikediv: LOL ! Hopefully this thread will make working with SMD more like shooting fish in a barrel [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    - H

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  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2009-06-22 15:10
    @Greg LaPolla

    That looks like a really good hot air station.
    Nice that they sell replacement heaters...wonder if they also
    sell replacement membrane air pumps? The lady in China sells
    parts but I have no idea how reasonably.

    A filter for the stinky smoke is a must IMO!
    I usually go into a small room at work that has outside air pumped into these light weight
    hood things you wear.... you can't smell any smoke because you are getting external air
    through a flexible plastic hose...I hate smoke! they laugh at me for using the room just to
    avoid solder smoke...usually they spray coatings onto stuff in there.
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