Reflow soldering for dummies

mkr5000 · 2016-05-27T20:20:17+00:00

In all my years as an electronics "hobbyist", I've never bothered to experiment with SMD and reflow soldering. I have a project now that is a very simple board and may even try some of those DIY techniques I've seen posted but also may send the board out to be populated. BUT -- inevitably I'll use a combination of SMD and some through hole, (for a pin header, transformer, terminal blocks etc). My question is -- if I send the board out and ask them to do JUST the SMD components (and I do all the through hole when I get them back) -- will I be able to do the through hole? will the plated holes clog up ? (even without the flux?) or should I allow for larger diameters etc? like I say -- complete novice at this. -- thanks

May 27, 2016 66 Replies

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Tom Gardner 10 years ago

I know what you mean, having been skiing since safety bindings were optional extras.

I also know I've watched one person die, and probably two. The probable was on the roads. The certain death was on a ski slope.

I was on a chairlift watching someone go down the piste fast but smoothly and well in control. When I looked back a few seconds later, he was sliding down. After ~100yards he hit a snow cannon with a memorable "crump", and then didn't move.

At the top I called out the emergency services and wrote a description of the accident. A couple of days later the local paper reported that he was an experienced local skier.

My daughter watched the incident, and it was a good talking point.

OTOH, I've watched people prang aircraft through lack of attention, without injury :)

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John Larkin 10 years ago

You can die stepping out of a bathtub or climbing down stairs; technically, I *did* once die climbing down stairs. Skiing is quite safe compared to motorcycling or skydiving or smoking cigarettes.

About 40 people die skiing per year. About 700 ppb per visit. Bicycling is more dangerous. Most skiing deaths come from high-speed collisions with trees; that is avoidable.

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc lunatic fringe electronics

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mkr5000 10 years ago

Why can't I find anything on "screen printing solder paste" ? Is that out o f the question? I can't imagine why -- I've had a small screen print setup for a long time, nice aluminum frames, durable polyester fabric. I would th ink if it could do ink it could do solder paste ?

Plus the registration on a screen is easy.

All I see are the stencils.

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krw 10 years ago

I'm sure there is a heart attack or two in there, too.

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John Larkin 10 years ago

Probably. Exercise at altitude.

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc picosecond timing precision measurement jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com http://www.highlandtechnology.com

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Jasen Betts 10 years ago

If the solder particles pass through the weave and the "gum" sticks to the board better than it sticks to the weave it could work. you also need to get uniform and repeatable thickness.

Stencils are basically the same process but without the weave, since the aperatures are all convex curves there's no risk of the squeegie snagging on a promontary, so no need for weave.

\_(?)_

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John Larkin 10 years ago

Here are some stencil pics.

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John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc lunatic fringe electronics

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