Selective Soldering: Key to Modern PCB Manufacturing And Assembly (Part One)

Overcoming Dual-Sided PCB Soldering Challenges: Selective Soldering is the Key

In the electronic manufacturing process, soldering technology determines product quality and performance. As electronic devices become increasingly smaller and more complex, traditional soldering methods are no longer sufficient to meet the demands for high precision and reliability. Thus, selective soldering technology has emerged to solve these challenges effectively.

selective soldering process
selective soldering process (Image source: online)

Case Study: How LCSC Overcame the Soldering Challenges of Complex PCB Designs

A single-output power supply module, specifically H5S-P5010 191196 ESHION – C910357, uses a double-sided PCB design, with surface-mount devices (SMDs) on one side and through-hole devices (THDs) on the other. For such complex double-sided designs, the selective soldering offers significant advantages.

Taking the case of traditional wave soldering, it solders all components simultaneously, which inevitably affects the quality of the soldering on both sides of the board, especially in cases of dense layouts and multi-layer designs.

Double-sided PCB H5S-P5010 191196 ESHION - C910357
Double-sided PCB H5S-P5010 191196 ESHION – C910357 (Image source: online)

In contrast, selective soldering allows for control of the soldering process, focusing only on the areas that need soldering, thereby avoiding the drawbacks of wave soldering. This method not only improves the soldering quality of the product but also effectively reduces production costs, making it particularly suitable for power supply products with double-sided PCB designs.

Selective Soldering: Precision And Efficiency

Selective soldering precisely solders specific areas or components on a PCB. To illustrate, that it uses specialized nozzles or small solder waves, making solder accurately applied to the designated solder points, preventing contamination of other areas with solder or flux.

Selective Soldering Nozzle on the Machine
Selective Soldering Nozzle on the Machine (Image source: online)

Its is ideal for handling double-sided, multi-layer, and mixed-assembly PCBs, particularly in complex circuit designs, as it enhances both soldering quality and efficiency.

a thicker fillet and a thinner fillet using different nozzles
a thicker fillet and a thinner fillet using different nozzles (Image source: online)

Comparison Betweem Selective Soldering and Traditional methods

Both reflow soldering and wave soldering have their specializations, but they fell short when faced with high-density, complex PCB designs. Below is a comparison of three soldering methods.

Method Advantages Disadvantages
Reflow Soldering Suitable for SMD soldering with high process maturity, capable of achieving high placement density and completing the soldering of multiple SMD components in a single heating cycle. Ineffective for THT soldering, requires additional processing; comprehensive heating can cause significant thermal stress on the PCB, potentially damaging sensitive components
Wave Soldering Suitable for through-hole component soldering, with relatively fast soldering speed High design requirements for the PCB layout, complex designs may lead to soldering defects
Selective Soldering Highly targeted, only applies solder to designated solder joints, preventing contamination of other areas, ideal for complex mixed designs on dual-sided or multilayer PCBs; precisely handles single-sided THT joints or mixed SMD and THT boards; uses small solder pots and accurate flux spraying techniques to reduce material waste and environmental impact; flux is applied via droplet methods, allowing precise control of amounts, reducing residues, and improving soldering cleanliness and quality Higher equipment cost; soldering efficiency may not match wave soldering for pure through-hole components; requires skilled operators and precise setting of soldering parameter

Some images are sourced online. Please contact us for removal if any copyright concerns arise.


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