|
|
|
|
July 23, 2006
Can we pour left over paste into the solder pot?
What is the effect of pouring left over solder paste from a screen printer into a wave solder machine pot? Is the flux capable of contaminating the pot, or will it be evaporated rapidly with the pot temperature??
Is this a normal practice?
M.S.
This "Ask the Experts" page has been viewed 1072 times.
Ask the Experts Comments
July 23, 2006
Adding solder paste to a wave pot can be a messy practice. The flux in paste is approximately 50% by volume, so half of the paste added needs to burn off. Some of the material especially no-cleans in high concentrations can catch on fire. The existing residues can be very gummy. I would not recommend this practice. This could be dangerous and could cause a lot of residue to be trapped in the pot depending on amount of paste added and how it is added. However if it is done properly the wave pot will be nice and clean.
Karl Seelig, Vice President of Technology
AIM
kseelig@aimsolder.com
In his 25 years of industry experience, Mr. Seelig has authored over 30 published articles on topics including lead-free assembly, no-clean technology, and process optimization. Karl holds numerous patents, including four for lead-free solder alloys, and was a key developer of no-clean technology.
|
July 23, 2006
Don't really want to do that, your much better off if you just sell it back to your paste vendor. If the alloy is the same it won't cause a problem but will cause more maintenance with the build up of the solder paste flux. But then again if you are talking only small amounts then no problem.
Kenneth Kirby, Applications Engineer
Speedline Technologies
Mr. Kirby has been in the electronics manufacturing industry for 18 plus years. Over the years Ken has been in roles such as Equipment and Process trainer, Senior Process Engineer, R&D Application Development Engineer and currently Process Application Engineer.
|
July 23, 2006
Solder paste scrap should never be placed in a solder pot. The solvents in the solder paste may flash and create a fire hazard. This is not at all a normal practice in industry.
Spent solder paste should be placed in buckets and disposed according to local regulations.
Brian Smith, Global Sales & Marketing Manager
Kester Paste
bsmith@kester.com
 Mr. Smith is the Global Sales & Marketing Manager for Kester and has worked in the soldering materials industry since 1994. He holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and has an intensive background in soldering materials technology and SMT process optimization. He has visited hundreds of electronics assembly companies globally and has assisted many customers with lead-free qualification and conversion efforts. He has achieved Certified Process Engineer status through the SMTA.
|
|
|
|
