Laser Soldering
Laser Soldering, the MASTER of contactless and high reliable soldering
This contactless soldering method achieves numerous benefits to production process.
This film describes the technical principals of laser soldering and shows the various laser shape technology for applications who require higher reliability, such as Automotive electronics, Aviation and so on.
This is the fastest way to understand laser soldering and look for your process enhancement.
How Does it Work?
In traditional iron tip soldering, the soldering tip is heated up to the required temperature of around 350° C. It is then placed onto the soldering point and heat is applied. When the melting temperature is reached, solder is applied to the surface, which results in the formation of an intermetallic compound.
In contrast to iron tip soldering, laser soldering is a contactless method –no soldering tip touches the circuit board or electronic parts. Instead, a laser is pointed on the soldering surface, thus heating up the base metal in the required area. The surface temperature rises continuously to the melting temperature, at which time solder is supplied directly to the soldering point. Achieving thermal conversion through surface heating rather than heat transfer enables more precise soldering, but also increases the danger of overheating. It is therefore crucial to use skilled experts or automated soldering solutions for this process.
Advantages
Because of their different properties, iron tip and laser soldering are ideally suited for different purposes. While the first is best for parts with high heat capacity, laser soldering is the better choice for ultrafine parts. This is due to a set of specific advantages.
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Less Danger of Damage
As soldering is contactless, there is less danger of damage to electric parts. No physical load is placed on the circuit board or other sensitive components, which could be harmed by the heat of a soldering tip.
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High-Precision Micro Soldering
A laser’s parameter is much smaller than even the finest soldering tip. It can therefore reach spaces that would be too narrow or otherwise inaccessible for an iron tip. As electronic parts become smaller and more intricate, this is becoming more and more relevant. Laser soldering can become even more precise when automated.
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Variety and Customization
Japan Unix features various patented laser beam shapes, such as ring type or square type lasers. Manufacturers can choose the laser type most suitable for their board pattern and components, which avoids inadvertently burning sensitive parts. In addition, a beam-splitting technology provides “twin-spot laser”, which enables simultaneously soldering two joints.
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Easy Maintenance
Laser soldering requires little to no maintenance, and machine cleaning is exceedingly easy. In contrast to iron tips, lasers don’t show symptoms of fatigue and don’t need to be replaced regularly. This comes with significant cost cuts for manufacturers.
Application Scenarios
Laser soldering is especially suited for applications that require micro or pinpoint soldering. This field is rapidly expanding with technological advancements. Example industries that could greatly benefit from laser soldering are:
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Automotive
With connected and electronic mobility on the rise, electronics components are becoming more frequent in automotive vehicles. With human lives at stake, parts like actuators or airbag sensors need to be highly reliable while also being compact and light. Laser soldering is uniquely equipped to deliver on these diverging requirements.
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Electronics
Electronic devices are getting smaller and more complex, making it necessary to solder more components on a less space. Furthermore, most components are heat sensitive and are easily damaged. Laser soldering facilitates the required pinpoint soldering, and because it is contactless, there is no damage to electronic parts.