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The difference between automatic laser soldering machines and traditional soldering.
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Release time:
2022-02-14
What’s the difference between laser soldering machines and manual soldering? Most of us are familiar with the traditional manual soldering technique using a soldering iron, which has long been the dominant and widely used method in today’s soldering processes. However, as electronic products continue to shrink in size, the demand for stable, automated soldering is increasing. Traditional manual soldering can no longer meet users’ needs. As a result, a new automated soldering technology—the laser soldering machine—has emerged and has become a cutting-edge innovation in the automated soldering equipment market. Understanding how to use laser soldering technology allows you to fully leverage its advantages. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between manual soldering and laser soldering.
What’s the difference between laser soldering machines and manual soldering? Most of us are familiar with traditional manual soldering techniques using soldering irons, which have long been the mainstream welding equipment in today’s soldering processes. However, as electronic products continue to become smaller and more compact, the demand for stable, automated soldering is increasing. Traditional manual soldering can no longer meet users’ needs. As a result, a new automated soldering technology—the laser soldering machine—has emerged and has become a cutting-edge innovation in the automated soldering equipment market. Understanding how to use laser soldering technology allows you to fully leverage its advantages. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between manual soldering and laser soldering. The differences between laser soldering machines and manual soldering:
The process of laser soldering and manual soldering with a soldering iron consists of three basic steps: preheating, heating while applying solder, and post-heating after the solder has been applied and shaped. Although the basic processes of manual soldering and laser soldering are similar, the methods used to provide heat for soldering differ. The key difference lies in:
Hand-soldering technique using a soldering iron:
The soldering iron should be preheated first, heating it to around 350℃. After the soldering iron is preheated, heat the solder at the joint to its melting temperature (for heat transfer), then feed in the solder wire to be welded. Once the solder wire is fed in, melt it so that it flows and takes shape—this completes the operation.
Laser Soldering Machine Operating Procedures:
First, the welding components are irradiated with a laser, causing the irradiated parts to begin heating up. As the irradiated parts heat up and melt the solder wire, the required amount of solder wire is fed in to provide the solder material. The solder melts and forms a joint, completing the entire welding process.
The methods for soldering and heating with a soldering iron tip are different, yet they often complement each other in practice. While manual soldering irons transfer heat through the iron tip and solder, laser soldering heats the irradiated components directly via laser radiation. Therefore, when using a manual soldering iron for soldering, if the temperature of the iron tip is insufficient, you can use focused laser irradiation to raise its temperature. Of course, due to continuous irradiation, the iron tip's temperature might become excessively high; thus, it’s important to carefully adjust both the irradiation intensity and duration.
During soldering, temperature is critically important. As the temperature rises or falls, the compositional state of the solder changes. If the temperature is too low, the soldering will be incomplete, and the solder wire won't melt; if the temperature is too high, the solder joint may overheat and damage the equipment. Therefore, under proper temperature conditions, it's extremely difficult to achieve strong and reliable solder joints without maintaining the right temperature. Moreover, when the temperature is inappropriate, the flow of flux itself can also change direction due to temperature variations. When heated to the appropriate temperature, the flux will first flow toward the soldering components, removing oxides and contaminants from the surrounding area to ensure a better solder joint. However, if the temperature is too high, the solder will block the flux from flowing in the first place. Additionally, excessive heating can damage the substrate and lead to many issues that are invisible to the naked eye—such as cracks on the substrate.
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