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Solderless Methods for Tuning RF Circuits

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SMTA-Joe

#83648

Solderless Methods for Tuning RF Circuits | 25 October, 2019

Hello SMTA,

This may be beyond the scope of the SMTA since it does not strictly deal with assembly of electronics, rather, it is about potential solderless methods for manually tuning RF circuits.

Our Engineers & QC have tasked manufacturing with researching new ways for the Test Department to manually tune RF paths that do not involve soldering foil tabs in place. Eliminating flux residue near bond wires, and subsequent cleaning, being the main concern.

Suggestions so far are Au/Ag epoxies, or even conductive paint pens. Some of the engineers have attempted these methods before and determined that there are too many cons. Trace amounts being left on the duroid material after removal, curing wait times, and messy application, to name a few.

My question is if anyone knows of any method to replicate the effectiveness of manually soldering foil tabs to RF lines for tuning purposes.

If anyone knows somewhere else I may need to direct this investigation beyond SMTA, that would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @ SMTASMTA

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#83655

Solderless Methods for Tuning RF Circuits | 28 October, 2019

I presume you mean at microwave frequencies. If not get it right in the CAD. Programs such as Microwave Office and VSS make it easy. Also Ansoft, Keysight Eagle etc. Having used MO and Eagle I would heartily recommend them. In the bad old days one trimming technique we used was a few capacitive lines near the appropriate junctions.we would then remove them with a soldering iron and scalpel to tune. After we had bult tested and tuned you could then make every board the same. But this would take a few iterations of the design.

sarason

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Reflow Oven

Jade Series Selective Soldering Machines