Capital Equipment Exchange has a range of used wave solder machines and used reflow ovens to help you increase production and solder components to your printed circuit boards (PCB). But which process is better? It depends on the type of PCB assembly and production process you are using. Regardless of the process, precision soldering is necessary for the function of any printed circuit board.
As the demand for electronics components increases, manufacturers need to find ways to increase the speed and efficiency of PCB assembly. Wave soldering is a faster process and is used primarily with through-hole printed circuit assembly, but is also used with surface mount technologies.
There are five parts in the wave solder process: preparation, fluxing, pre-heating, wave soldering, and cooling.
Like any process used for printed circuit board assembly, there are pros and cons to the wave solder process. Your manufacturing needs - and the complexity of the board - are both factors to consider.
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Cons:
Reflow soldering is the preferred method for surface mount assembly but is also an option for other assembly methods. In this process, solder paste is applied to the PCB, where components will need to be bonded. Pick and place machines add the components to the paste. The assembled board is then conveyed into the reflow oven where the paste melts and creates solder joints.
Reflow soldering works for both single side and double side mounting. There are four stages the board goes through in the reflow oven: preheating, thermal soak, reflow soldering, and cooling.
SMT reflow ovens have some advantages for the PCB assembly process. This solution is not as fast as wave soldering, so it is not always well-suited for companies with high-volume needs.
Pros:
Cons:
Deciding which solder process is better is subjective to the needs and demands of your particular assembly process. No matter which method you choose, Capital Equipment Exchange has both used reflow ovens and wave solder machines available for purchase - helping you both save money and boost your production level.
Please browse our inventory of used SMT equipment or contact us today for a custom quote or detailed information.