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SMT

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-03-13 22:51 in General Discussion
Has anyone ot there become adept at soldering surface-mount devices to
boards either at home, or in a small workshop without all the expensive
tools? If so, would you care to share some of the basics?

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-12 06:25
    Hi Chris,
    Suggest you check out recent issue of QST magazine on soldering and handling
    SMT devices. I don't recall the issue number. Continue to use precautions
    regarding ESD (electro-static dsicharge) on all semiconductor devices.
    Good Luck, Burt
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-12 10:52
    A good iron, tweezers and a magnifying light if your eyesite's not real
    good. I'm talking a Weller or Edsyn type iron with a base station. Can
    be adjustable, but not necessarily. A very long, pointed tip is what I
    prefer, and very fine solder.

    I find pre-tinning the pads, or some folks use solder paste,works well.
    You need to work quick, and not overheat the part. In particular, ceramic
    caps are susceptible to cracking damage, which may not be evident
    immediately, but may drive premature failure down the road. Don't try to
    accelerate cooling off the part after soldering.

    Stew Benedict

    On Sun, 11 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:

    > Has anyone ot there become adept at soldering surface-mount devices to
    > boards either at home, or in a small workshop without all the expensive
    > tools? If so, would you care to share some of the basics?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-12 16:34
    Chris,

    It is easy to solder SMT devices without the expensive
    equipment. Hand soldering is time consuming and would
    be OK for 1 or 2 prototypes.

    To hand solder you will need a pair of tweezers, rosin
    flux and 0.10" diameter solder.

    Procedure:

    For Resistors/Capacitors;

    1. Apply flux to PCB footprint for component to be
    soldered. If you use a rosin flux and allow to dry it
    will become tackie. This will help hold the component.

    2. Use the tweezers and place the component.

    3. Using to 0.010" diam wire solder, lay the solder
    along the component lead. Apply heat. Repeat to other
    lead.

    For IC's

    1. Apply flux to PCB footprint for component to be
    soldered. If you use a rosin flux and allow to dry it
    will become tackie. This will help hold the component.

    2. Apply solder to one of the IC pads.

    3. Use the tweezers and place the component, and hold.

    4. Using the soldering iron heat the pad which has to
    solder applied and allow solder to flow onto IC pin.

    5. Using to 0.010" diam wire solder, lay the solder
    along the component leads. Apply heat.

    By using the 0.10" diam wire solder you will get the
    proper amount of solder to make a good joint.

    If you have any other questions please feel free to
    contact me directly.

    Regards,

    John DeFeo
    Director, Engineering
    Motion Sensors Inc.
    Ph: 252-331-2080
    Fax: 252-331-1666
    e-mail: jwdefeo@y...
    WEB site: http://www.motionsensors.com

    --- "Chris Loiacono (E-mail)"
    <chris01@t...> wrote:
    > Has anyone ot there become adept at soldering
    > surface-mount devices to
    > boards either at home, or in a small workshop
    > without all the expensive
    > tools? If so, would you care to share some of the
    > basics?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >


    __________________________________________________
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 00:57
    Go to the Seattle Robotics Society's web page and look in the Encoder
    for how to solder SMT devices using a toaster oven. Very cool stuff.
    http://www.seattlerobotics.org/

    Original Message
    From: Chris Loiacono (E-mail) <chris01@t...>
    To: Basicstamps Egroup (E-mail) <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2001 7:36 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] SMT


    > Has anyone ot there become adept at soldering surface-mount devices to
    > boards either at home, or in a small workshop without all the expensive
    > tools? If so, would you care to share some of the basics?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 02:05
    I've looked into this. The problem is the solder paste has to be kept
    refrigerated and because of this you can only get it sent overnight. I don't
    know if the wife would let me put solder paste into the fridge....

    Al Williams
    AWC
    * Expand your Stamp I/O: http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak3.htm

    >
    > Go to the Seattle Robotics Society's web page and look in the Encoder
    > for how to solder SMT devices using a toaster oven. Very cool stuff.
    > http://www.seattlerobotics.org/
    >
    >
    Original Message
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 03:06
    ideally, yes. but where I used to work we would use the pneumatic
    syringes, and sometimes they would last months.. nobody took care of it,
    and the worst that would happen is that it would get a bit too thick and
    would start to get gummed up.
    I think if you just kept it in a relatively cool place (near the A/C
    vent?) it should be ok

    Jason

    Al Williams wrote:
    >
    > I've looked into this. The problem is the solder paste has to be kept
    > refrigerated and because of this you can only get it sent overnight. I don't
    > know if the wife would let me put solder paste into the fridge....
    >
    > Al Williams
    > AWC
    > * Expand your Stamp I/O: http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak3.htm
    >
    > >
    > > Go to the Seattle Robotics Society's web page and look in the Encoder
    > > for how to solder SMT devices using a toaster oven. Very cool stuff.
    > > http://www.seattlerobotics.org/
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

    --
    _______________________________________________
    Jason Lavoie
    jlavoie@e...
    jlavoie@o...
    ICQ#:10604243
    Electrical Engineering III, Carleton University
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 14:08
    > solder paste has to be kept refrigerated

    Why refrigerated? I've not used it before, but sure wouldn't have guessed
    that as a requirement.

    -- Mitch
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 14:26
    I have two jars of 50/50 paste made with an aqueous flux - that have been
    sitting on my bench for months (not refrigerated.) I have used the paste
    when it was new, and again months later. Of course, I have to mix it each
    time, as it seems to separate. I keep the covers screwed on tightly, and
    I've not had any trouble with it each time it's been used.

    Perhaps someone can clear up the confusion. Are there any paste solder
    "experts" out there today?

    Chris

    >
    Original Message
    > From: M. D. Miller [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=oYwhb7a_qPIveCKVP09ftD3AgLI0zm_16ApDNRqu5bKuHQWjHj5BcEL5oUr2Gcezhx4NAO6ugV3k]mdmiller2@h...[/url
    > Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 9:08 AM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] SMT
    >
    >
    > > solder paste has to be kept refrigerated
    >
    > Why refrigerated? I've not used it before, but sure wouldn't
    > have guessed
    > that as a requirement.
    >
    > -- Mitch
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-13 22:51
    I'm by no means an "expert" on this stuff...but I worked closely with those
    that were. Several years ago, I used to work at a facility where we
    performed research on electronics manufacturing processes and we ALWAYS kept
    the solder paste in a refrigerator. I know if it was left out, it had to be
    thrown away as it would not perform as it was supposed to during testing.
    Since that's one of the things we did was test the different solder
    pastes...it made a difference. I've seen the quality of the solder joints
    at really high magnification using a S.E.M. (Scanning Electron Microscope)
    and old, left out overnight paste didn't produce as nice results. For the
    most part, it still worked...but the solder joints had a much higher rate of
    failure when subjected to enviornmental extremes. Anyway.....

    Kept refridgerated... it will also last a fairly long time.

    - Brice

    Original Message
    From: Chris Loiacono (E-mail) <chris01@t...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 9:26 AM
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] SMT


    I have two jars of 50/50 paste made with an aqueous flux - that have been
    sitting on my bench for months (not refrigerated.) I have used the paste
    when it was new, and again months later. Of course, I have to mix it each
    time, as it seems to separate. I keep the covers screwed on tightly, and
    I've not had any trouble with it each time it's been used.

    Perhaps someone can clear up the confusion. Are there any paste solder
    "experts" out there today?

    Chris

    >
    Original Message
    > From: M. D. Miller [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=ziuOKrFa2uw4dbApJ2ey_-a1GtK7VJkCZ3OaYblYFeMihc9_A7YHcUVhVS96OJcyET34tIr7tPcm]mdmiller2@h...[/url
    > Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 9:08 AM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] SMT
    >
    >
    > > solder paste has to be kept refrigerated
    >
    > Why refrigerated? I've not used it before, but sure wouldn't
    > have guessed
    > that as a requirement.
    >
    > -- Mitch
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >




    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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