Selective
soldering with nitrogen is an essential process in the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). It is used for bonding components to
PCBs that could otherwise be damaged if exposed to a lot of heat. Another area of application are mixed-technology circuit boards with
layout constraints.
How does selective soldering work?
Selective soldering is an automated process. It gives you the precision of hand soldering with none of its delays and inconsistencies.
Preparation: The first step is to program the solder pot with the positions on the PCB that have to be soldered.
Fluxing: In the fluxing stage, flux is applied to the components that must be soldered. This is a major difference to wave soldering, where
flux covers the entire PCB.
Preheating: Then the temperature of the assembly is raised until there is sufficient heat for activating the flux. This ensures the
effective filling of spaces with solder.
Soldering: Finally, there is the soldering process itself. A soldering pen distributes solder material on the board in a pattern programmed
to only cover the points that need to be soldered. Then the soldering of the leads to the PCB can commence. The solder pot lowers and moves
to the next spot.
The benefits of selective soldering
Different soldering methods are available for PCB production. The most common are wave, selective soldering and reflow soldering. In the
choice between these options, selective soldering offers distinct benefits:
Selective soldering results in better wetting, which refers to the ability of the molten solder to create a bond between component and PCB.
It also reduces the amount of flux required, which lowers operating costs and reduces the leftover residue.
Selective soldering eliminates the need for PCB cleaning or brushing because it results in clean, shiny joints.
The process reduces defect formation and other problems.
The role of nitrogen in selective soldering
Because of its inert properties, nitrogen is applied in soldering to ensure the process is free from oxygen. That is because oxygen would
react with the solder. This would create an oxide layer that can lead to quality problems or short circuits in the selective soldering
units.
How to make on-site nitrogen generation pay off for you
Many companies rely on nitrogen deliveries. However, this option comes with a high cost of gas. You not only have to pay a lot for the
nitrogen itself but also for rental fees for the nitrogen cylinders. In addition, purchasing nitrogen from a vendor requires you to free
storage space, which can lead to supply bottlenecks and logistics headaches.
A much better alternative is on-site nitrogen generation with a compressor and a nitrogen generator.
This eliminates these challenges while also offering a series of additional benefits. First and foremost is the reduction in costs. A cubic
meter of nitrogen generated on-site is significantly cheaper than a cubic meter of purchased nitrogen.
Equally important is supply control. Nitrogen is critical to your soldering activities. Can you really afford to be dependent on third party
suppliers?
In addition, a nitrogen generator allows you to select the required gas purity. This is critical in ensuring appropriate solder spreading
behavior at low temperatures. Setting the right purity also allows you to reduce your energy and thus operating costs.
Finally, you can eliminate the transport emissions associated with gas deliveries and lower your carbon footprint.
Increasing the effectiveness of selective soldering with nitrogen
Different factors determine the effectiveness of the selective soldering process. These include the configuration of the machine, the
attributes of the flux, and the nozzle choice. And, of course, the nitrogen you use is important. You have to make sure it is of the right
purity to prevent dross formation. High-purity nitrogen can also extend the lifetime of the nozzles, which saves costs.
A nitrogen generator from Pneumatech is the optimal solution for providing you with a steady supply of high-quality nitrogen. This not only
lowers your operating costs but also can help you to take your selective soldering operation to the next level. To learn more, contact one
of our experts now.
Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
Nitrogen Generation
An extensive line of Air Treatment components
AIRnet Piping System and Filtration
Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products are used extensively around the world in
industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world-class compressors here in the land of
the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported with
nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts
available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption and meeting our sustainability goals
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Selective
soldering with nitrogen is an essential process in the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). It is used for bonding components to
PCBs that could otherwise be damaged if exposed to a lot of heat. Another area of application are mixed-technology circuit boards with
layout constraints.
