Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/881969
October 2017 • SMT Magazine 19 tain scenarios that I cannot put on that robot because I don't have the ability or the volume for it to be successful. I need to have trained sol- derers to successfully make those solder joints. We see volume-driven environments and Class 3 requirements are challenging robotics to be consistent, but then you have the visual valida- tion factors as well or an automated system that can hopefully perform that inspection as well and meet IPC requirements. So, it's all about the tooling, the fixturing and the alignment piec- es that come with the robotics. We had a high volume product that worked very well on the robot. Some of the variations that we run into though is if a no-clean solder is required, we have to change over requirements or needs for additional equipment then. "So, in a contract manufacturer's world, it really depends on the size of the customers' need and their design. We have other scenar- ios that we're looking at right now, for exam- ple, that require some very detailed soldering efforts that are very inconsistent when you put it on and depend on the people to do it. We could get some more consistency out of the ro- bot once we get tooling in place and design of fixturing and supporting the components that you need in play. It is a significant investment to go that route. There are pros and cons in each direction and the application is really depend- ing on that answer. So, if we're building high- volume cellphones, you would have a different conversation, but if we're building lower-mix, medium-mix or low-volume products to mid- volume products, then we have a little different approach to it." From an assembler's point of view, the great- est challenge when it comes to solder joints is, according to Nunenkamp, is physically getting the IPC knowledge to the point of making the right judgment call on quality rather than per- sonal preference. "The insufficient viewpoint, the non-wetting calls, the things that are con- sidered defects in the world of IPC are getting that trained eye and knowledge instilled in the people that we need so that they can cre- ate the good solder joints and then can agree with the inspector's eyes as well," Nunenkamp explains. "Obviously, driving inspections back to the operator that's making the joints is our preference so that we don't double up our ef- fort, but that's really one of our largest challeng- es. Then, I think the other piece of the puzzle is getting them to use the tools that are made available and adequate for the job. The thermal energy that Robert talked about is one of those challenges that continues to be around, but you might use a pre-heater, you might use an alter- ACHIEVING THE PERFECT SOLDER JOINT: THE MANY PERSPECTIVES ON SOLDERING