Reflow Soldering Oven: The Techniques And Working

By Harriett Crosby


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.

Maximum temperatures are reached at the reflow zone (the third stage). At this stage, the surface tension of the flux gets reduced at the metal juncture resulting to metallurgical bonding-all the solder powder combines. In considering the maximum tolerable temperature, the components with the lowest thermal damage is very significant as the maximum operating temperature is set slightly below this level. It is at this phase that full control of the temperatures and exposure time must be done for obvious reasons of avoiding device destruction.

Cooling takes place in the last phase also known as the cooling zone from where the molten solder solidifies into the precise target points permanently fixing the electronic components on to the PCB. The temperature control is still significant as such problems like thermal shock or the excessive metallic formation must be avoided I order to obtain a mechanically sound devices attached with fine grained structured solder.

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 business environment around us is rapidly changing particularly in regards to the customers, market, technology and competition hence the need to continuously review or operating methods to be sure they are optimal. The best reflow soldering oven guarantees maximum productivity and profitability for assembly firms and other businesses require soldering.




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