How to solder electronic components?
Learning how lead-free Solder manufacturer solders correctly is essential for anyone who wants to be a maker. Welding is not an easy skill to master. Moreover, it requires all the effort and passion, typical of a true maker. Certainly, some tips and tricks can help you improve the quality of your weld. In this tutorial we will cover the necessary materials and some techniques that will help you make a perfect weld and safely.
What does soldering mean?
The soldering technique is widely common in electronics. If you check any circuit board you can see that the components of that board are fixed using this technique. Welding is the process of joining two or more electronic components by melting tin in the connection. Tin is a metal alloy and when it cools it creates a strong electrical connection between the components.
Necessary materials for lead-free Solder manufacturer
To carry out the welding and desoldering procedures lead-free solder manufacturer need a series of tools:
Soldering iron
It is a fundamental tool in the process. They are usually plugged directly into the mains, either 110 V or 220 V. And heat up to temperatures above 400ºC in order to melt the tin around the electrical connections.
For beginner makers, it is recommended that soldering irons with modest powers, from 15 W to 30 W. be used. These tools still have the function of changing their tips. Each tip is more suitable for a particular type of welding.
Soldering station
It is a good version of the classic soldering iron. For those who need to perform large amounts of welding, a soldering station is a luxury. Furthermore, it allows greater control and flexibility in the task. The main feature of this equipment is the possibility of precisely adjusting the temperature of the soldering iron.
The stations increase the degree of lead-free Solder manufacturer professionalism. And it creates a safer working environment as many have temperature sensors and alerts.
Lead free Soldering iron tips
Most soldering irons have tip changing functionality. There is a wide variety of these soldering iron tips. Moreover, they vary in size and shape. Each tip is good for one purpose and has an advantage over the other. The most common in maker designs are cone shaped tips and chisel shaped tips.
Tapered tips are applicable in precision welding due to their fine tip. As its tip is thin, it is able to heat small areas without affecting neighboring areas. Similarly, chisel tips are good when welding wires and large components.
Metal sponge or conventional sponge
The sponge helps to keep the soldering iron clean and away from oxidation. It is common to see makers using the conventional wet sponge. However, the wet sponge tends to shorten the life of the soldering iron due to the expansion and contraction of the tip metal.
In addition, the wet sponge lowers the temperature of the soldering iron for a time when it cleans. The best alternative to using the conventional sponge is the metal sponge.
Soldering iron holder: lead-free Solder manufacturer
When working with the soldering iron, you will feel the need to keep it in a safe place under safe operating conditions while you work. What I mean is, prevent your soldering iron from coming into contact with flammable materials. It can be even the contact of hot parts with lead-free Solder manufacturer hands.
Most soldering stations already come with this built-in support. The simplest soldering irons have a very fragile and light support.
Tin: lead free alloy
As I said above, tin is a conductive metal alloy that is capable of creating an electrical connection between components. Tin may or may not have lead in its composition. Inside the tin wire there is a material called flux. It helps to improve the electrical connection and increases the mechanical strength. The stream is also sold separately in jars as a paste.
Use of lead free tin for soldering
When soldering electronic components, the use of lead-free tin is common. The lead-free alloy is made of tin and copper, while the lead-free alloy is 60% tin and 40% lead. The latter has fallen into disuse due to health concerns. And, if you have access to this type of tin, it is necessary to use adequate ventilation for your use and hand hygiene in case of direct contact with the material.
Tip: Be careful where you buy your tin. Building material stores often sell a type of weld that has an acid core. This type of solder destroys circuit boards as they are manufactured to serve plumbers.
Magnifying glass with support and tweezers
The supports with tweezers and magnifying glass have two or more “alligators”. They help to fix objects while you use the soldering iron and tin. You will always need a third hand under your control in the welding activity. Especially when you are a beginner lead-free Solder manufacturer, so having this item in your lab is very useful.
Solder sucker lead-free Solder manufacturer
unsolder the pump, also called solder sucker, sucks the molten solder to separate the circuit board of the welded components. The solder sucker works best on components fixed in holes but can also be used on SMD components, devices mounted on the surface, but it is less effective, and it is suggested to use the soldering mesh. That said, the solder sucker is one of the cheapest options.
How does lead-free Solder manufacturer solder electronic components?
The best way to learn how to weld is in practice. So let’s use a practical example with a step-by-step guide to help you better understands how to do it. In this example, we are going to solder some resistors and two capacitors on a printed circuit board.
Perforated plate solder
Perforated plate soldering is an interesting case. Components are welded to the perforated plate in the same way as illustrated in the previous welding procedure. However, the perforated plates have islands isolated from each other. And it is necessary to create the circuit tracks and one way to do this is by using solder. Good lead-free Solder manufacturer follows the same procedure.
Step 1: Determine the path
Lead-free Solder manufacturer must have clearly defined in our mind, or preferably noted, where we want to pass the trails. Check the best path that requires the least amount of jumpers.
Step 2: Welding the islands in the way
Now, place a drop of solder in the previously defined path. Once this is done, create short circuits between the islands with another drop of solder, so we will make our solder track.
How to solder wires?
Here we will explain how we do to weld wires together. In this part, it is recommended, for those starting out, that they use a kit with claws. The magnifying glass with support and tweezers will help a lot in this procedure.
Remove the insulation from the wire, and if the wire is multifilament, twist using your fingers. Make sure your soldering iron is hot and place the tip on the wire we are going to weld for 1 ~ 3 seconds. Keep the soldering iron in contact with the wire and then approach and touch the solder until the entire bare part is covered with solder. Repeat the process on the other wire.
Final Words
Now, position the two wires against each other, you will do this better with the help of the claws, and touch the soldering iron at the junction. This will melt the solder and join the wires together.
It is also possible, before welding, to twist the wires by twisting. And then subsequently apply the tin to the joint, as seen in the gif procedure below.
