
Issues like board temperature and time the board spends in the solder wave need careful monitoring. In some ways, wave soldering is more complex. So, how do you know which type of soldering to use and when? It may depend on a variety of factors, such as pad shapes, the amount of time you have, component orientations, type of printed circuit board and more. You can solder individual joints with a hot air pencil if necessary. We then heat the entire assembly in a reflow oven or under an infrared lamp to melt the solder and connect the joint.

In reflow soldering, we make a solder paste out of powdered solder and flux, then use that paste to attach components to contact pads. Although it’s possible to use reflow soldering for this purpose, it rarely is since wave soldering is more cost-effective. Wave soldering is more frequently used for soldering through-hole components. The reflow soldering process is a little bit different than wave soldering, but it’s the most common way to attach surface mount components to a circuit board.

Get Pricing and Lead Time What Is Reflow Soldering? The wrong solder temperature can result in failure to obtain the proper solder thickness, which could make the board more susceptible to stress. Insufficient preheating can cause cavities, which can compromise both board strength and conductivity. Failing to sufficiently control for temperature can put mechanical stress on the board, which can lead to cracks and loss of conductivity. Proper temperatures are very important during the wave soldering process. The PCB then receives a water spray or air blowing to safely cool it and fix the parts in place. A pump in the pan creates a “wave” of solder that washes over the board, soldering the components to the board. It works by passing each circuit board over a pan of molten solder. Wave soldering is a bulk soldering process that enables one to manufacture many circuit boards in a very short amount of time. Reflow Soldering | More on Soldering and Printed Circuit Boards Jump To: What Is Wave Soldering? | What Is Reflow Soldering? | Wave Soldering vs.

What is the difference between the two, and how do you know which type of soldering to use in which circumstances? There are two main types of soldering for PCBs: wave soldering and reflow soldering. But not all types of soldering are created equal, and it can be important to differentiate between wave and reflow soldering. Without soldering, there are no printed circuit boards. The only reliable way to get your circuits to stick to your board and stay there is by soldering them on. Soldering is a huge part of the printed circuit board design process.
