You're right Earl� Drag soldering is a dead issue as far as new technology is concerned. They do, however, work for most through-hole boards� but so do wave machines. There are only two manufacturers left that still produce drag soldering machines. It is a very niche market. Basically, they are good for large size, through-hole boards, low volume, low budget. If it were my money� Buy a wave soldering machine. Drag soldering machines, 8 mm projectors, reel-to-reel tape recorders, and Volvo 240's are all good, just not practical for today.
| | I am a former employee of a drag soldering machine manufacturer. For years they attempted to devise a method of soldering surface mount devices via the drag soldering machine. Bridging was the largest problem along with component damage due to excessive dwell times (needed to reduce bridging). | | My advice� Keep the drag soldering machine for through-hole and forget about using it for SMT.
| | | Looking for suggestions from anyone doing selective soldering | | | with a drag solder machine. | | | Needs dictate automated soldering of double-sided mixed tech with SMT ICs | | | on both sides. Concerns arise regarding immersing some packages in the pot | | | for extended periods and bridging. | | | Is is possible to use pallets with this type of process. Should I | | | throw out the drag machine and look at a wave or some sort of specific selective machine? | | | Thanks in advance. | I am not being critical but, in hopes of learning something, I thought drag soldering was a dead issue. Is it still alive and, if so, for what purpose? | Earl Moon
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