Wave soldering machine selection

We are an assembly house engaged in large volume manufacturing of Computer motherboards and others. We are in the process of selection of a new wave soldering machine. Can somebody help me inform what are the different parameters which must be ensured while selecting a wave soldering machine.

Best Regards

Vinesh Gandhi

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| We are an assembly house engaged in large volume manufacturing of Computer motherboards and others. We are in the process of selection of a new wave soldering machine. Can somebody help me inform what are the different parameters which must be ensured while selecting a wave soldering machine. | | Best Regards | | Vinesh Gandhi | Vinesh: I'd like my new wave solder machine to be able to reflow top-side surface mount parts. TTYL Dave F

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| We are an assembly house engaged in large volume manufacturing of Computer motherboards and others. We are in the process of selection of a new wave soldering machine. Can somebody help me inform what are the different parameters which must be ensured while selecting a wave soldering machine. | | Best Regards | | Vinesh Gandhi | Vinesh,

From an engineering perspecitve, repeatability is the key. Repeatability of flux deposition, preheat temperatures, wave temperature, and wave contact. You want to know that no matter which operator on which shift is running the machine, it will perform the same way. In this age of computer controlled everythings, there is absoluelty no reason to have automated, but uncontrollable processes.

From a business perspective, machine uptime (time between failures, maintenance requirements, etc) is critical to an assembly operation. Then comes service and support - it should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A live person on the other end of the phone. Not an answering service or a pager number.

From a customer's perspective, you need good references on whatever machine you seriously consider. Salesmen promise the world, but actual users can give you the real scoop.

Personally speaking, I am a big proponent of Electrovert machines. Been running them since '94 with no big complaints.

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| | We are an assembly house engaged in large volume manufacturing of Computer motherboards and others. We are in the process of selection of a new wave soldering machine. Can somebody help me inform what are the different parameters which must be ensured while selecting a wave soldering machine. | | | | Best Regards | | | | Vinesh Gandhi | | | Vinesh, | | From an engineering perspecitve, repeatability is the key. Repeatability of flux deposition, preheat temperatures, wave temperature, and wave contact. You want to know that no matter which operator on which shift is running the machine, it will perform the same way. In this age of computer controlled everythings, there is absoluelty no reason to have automated, but uncontrollable processes. | | From a business perspective, machine uptime (time between failures, maintenance requirements, etc) is critical to an assembly operation. Then comes service and support - it should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A live person on the other end of the phone. Not an answering service or a pager number. | | From a customer's perspective, you need good references on whatever machine you seriously consider. Salesmen promise the world, but actual users can give you the real scoop. | | Personally speaking, I am a big proponent of Electrovert machines. Been running them since '94 with no big complaints. | I agree with the above, but you have to know the product you are going to run across the machine, as well as the variables you intend to impose. Does your product have surface mount components? If so, how small? Are your layouts wave friendly? What type of flux and bar solder do you intend to use? Do you need a hot air knife? Is IR preheat OK or do you need convection? Spray fluxer or foam?

You see, there are a lot of variables involved with machine selection, then just a few I mentioned. Call several vendors and show them some of the boards you intend to solder. they can recommend what would be needed.

I have been involved with wave soldering for about 13 years and believe Electrovert about the best machines made today. There service on the other hand has gone down hill and really makes it a challenge to get the right parts within a decent time frame. Luckily this doesn't occur too often, but when it does.....

Hope I helped.

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