Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1546933
58 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2026 F E AT U R E A RT I C L E BY N O L A N J O H N S O N , I - C O N N ECT 0 07 P roduction soldering techniques that persist on the shop floor each have their own unique advantages. For complete board assemblies with standard joints and built-in volume, convec- tion reflow is a perennial choice. For through-hole joints, the solution is wave soldering. A relatively small number of solder joints may justify robotic or human hand soldering, but another soldering technique that seems to be gaining prominence is laser soldering. The advantages of laser soldering can be substantial, offering selective soldering, noncon- tact heating, localized thermal control, and access to joints that would otherwise be challenging for soldering irons, wave systems, and conven- tional reflow. But joint geometry, materials, optical Why Laser Soldering Gets So Much Attention