April 2013 Archives

Among the welding technologies, spot welding technology which has a close relationship with automation.

(1) Spot welding technology and automation

-A representative example of automated spot welding technology is the automotive production lines.
-Automobile production line is composed of a collection of about 300 process steps, and about 4000 parts are assembled in around 50 seconds cycle time.
-The representative technology that realizes the high production efficiency, high quality, weight reduction, body strength improvements, and safety is the spot welding technology.
-The dedicated devices that perform high speed spot welding processes are the units with integrated high level technology with names such as Servo Guns and Air Guns.

[Fig.1] Automotive body spot welding

(2) Principle of spot welding

-Spot welding is a type of resistance welding that utilizes resistance heating by electrical conduction on the base materials, and jointing is formed in spots.

[Fig.2] Spot welding principle explanation diagram

The important point in assembly/mounting production technology is to supply appropriate heat energy to stabilize the melting metal at targeted temperature. However, sudden heat rise can result in mounting failure due to uneven heat conduction and large residual stress, causing degradation of durability quality. On the other hand, production techniques to reduce production tact time are also needed.
Here, representative tact time reduction methods of mounting technology are explained.

(1) Fundamentals of mounting technology: About self-alignment effects

-Self positioning movement of the part that naturally occurs while the melting solder solidifies is called "Self-alignment effect".
-On PCBs, preliminary solder spots are deposited where the parts are to be soldered. The self-alignment effect utilizes a phenomenon where the preliminary solder spots position the light weight parts into proper positions by melting solder's surface tension.
-Adhesive flux is applied on the preliminary solder spots, and the parts are temporarily affixed on the preliminary solder spots by the adhesiveness of the flux.
-The following production techniques are needed to gain the self-alignment effect.

a) Stability of preliminary solder position and amounts
b) Stability of flux application position, amounts, and adhesiveness
c) Uniformity of soldering heat conduction

[Photo 1] Self-aligned chip part (Right) and defective soldering (Left)

(2) Tact time reduction method of mounting technology

-In order to reduce the tact time while maintaining uniform heat conduction, mounting fixtures are preliminarily heated.
-Aim of preliminarily heating
a)By preliminarily heating the mounting fixtures, heat application time to solder melting is reduced.
b)By moderating the temperature change, the residual stress is suppressed.
c)Highly accurate stabilization of solder melting temperature by uniform heat conduction.
-Pre-heating table (MISUMI, hot plate: HTPL, [Fig.1]), Sheathed heater (MISUMI: MCHG, [Fig.2]), Temperature controller (MISUMI, Temperature controller: MTCS, [Photo 2]) can be utilized.
-In order to make fixture side heat conduction uniform and accelerate, heat insulation material (EX.: Epoxy Glass Plates: EPXA) and heat transfer material (EX.: aluminum plate: A5052P) are used in designs.

[Fig.1] Example of a hot plate, [Fig.2] Construction of a sheathed heater, [Photo 2] Temperature controller

When trained experts perform soldering with "Soldering irons", they visually determine by seeing the soldered parts with expert eyes to assure a certain soldering quality.

■Example of solder expert's evaluation criteria
Expert's evaluation criteriaRelationship with the soldering
(1)Adequacy of preliminary solderingAdd solder if preliminary soldering has insufficient solder
(2)Reaction state of flux and solderEstimated time of soldering, and determination for cleaning timing of the tip
(3)Solder flow conditionDetermination of soldering iron tip temperature inadequacy, and estimation of soldering completion

-As shown in the table above, it is unavoidable that the soldering quality would vary with manual soldering processes due to varying expertise levels.
-Therefore, implementation of soldering robots is strongly desired. However, replacing works by trained experts is with difficulties production technologically. Especially to achieve stable quality for the mass production, the designer needs to understand the soldering related engineering in whole as explained in the Vol. 357, and implement proper process designs and working standards.
-Production technology needed for soldering robots will be explained with the soldering robot in [Photo 1].

a)Optimal selection of soldering iron tips against the object to be soldered
■Explanation
*Since heat conduction uniformity is required
*Since uniform pressure application is required on sections to be soldered
b)Solder supply method, position, amount
■Explanation
*Trained experts determine the size, amount, and application position of flux containing solder by soldering condition
c)Solder iron tip pressure application method and soldering time
■Explanation
*Pressure bonding direction and load, also soldering time are determined based on the shape of workpiece to be soldered

[Photo 1] Soldering robot

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