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2005

07/02/2005

Lead Free?

Many of our valued customers have questions about how lead-free solder will affect their hand soldering processes. Across the board, lead-free solders have a higher melting point than lead containing Eutectic or 60/40 solder alloys. The effect of the higher melting temperatures results in a tighter process window and demands more control over the process. The items to consider when evaluating your hand soldering process and current equipment are:

1. Tip Temperature consistency
2. Tip Temperature maintainability
3. Thermal transfer efficiency from the tip to the work, and
4. Thermal recovery capability.

While many operators will immediately assume that they must turn up the temperature to compensate for the higher melting temperature, this is not true for PACE products. PACE?s soldering systems feature advanced electronics that monitor the thermal demand at the tip and respond immediately by driving the optimal amount of heat into the work at safe, low temperatures. In fact, PACE?s TD-100 soldering iron boasts one of the most efficient heat transfer capabilities and is clearly one of the most responsive irons on the market today. This means that the TD-100?s ability to recover from thermal loading and maintain its heat output is far superior to other conventional irons, eliminating the need for higher, unsafe temperatures when using lead-free solders. Quick and consistent heat transfer also ensures that flux is fully activated and burned off leaving the work site properly prepared for the formation of highly reliable solder joints.

PACE?s soldering systems continue to offer legendary thermal control as well as advanced features to maintain your process. Unique PACE features such as Power Modules and/or password protection ensure consistency and quality in your process. Economical tips and standard features such as ?Setback? and ?Auto-Off? maximize tip life to reduce operating costs and increase your bottom line.

Lead free soldering is inevitable and PACE is leading the way to meet the challenges our customers will face during the transition from lead containing to lead free soldering. PACE Incorporated is pleased to introduce environmentally friendly soldering tips that are designed for 100% compatibility with lead free solders. All of PACE?s soldering and component removal tips are now tinned with lead free solder (SN 99.3%, Cu 0.7%). Because more aggressive fluxes are commonly required when using lead-free solders , we have also optimized the iron plating on our tips to maximize thermal transfer while providing for the longest life possible. Additionally, PACE is constantly researching methods to improve tip life and reduce manufacturing costs. Choosing PACE is building in future cost reductions into your process!

When reworking area array components with lead free solder, the greatest enhancement to existing equipment is the use of nitrogen for reflow. All PACE area array rework systems come standard with nitrogen capability!

There is more to the story of lead free than just the impact on hand soldering operations . The main driver behind the ?lead free? initiatives is to protect our environment. PACE?s advanced tip manufacturing facility uses only environmentally friendly materials such as trivalent chrome as opposed to hexavalent chrome, which is a known carcinogen and environmental contaminant. Our state of the art treatment facility leaves our waste-water cleaner than our supply water! Also, to reduce the amount of lead that is deposited in landfills around the world, all of PACE?s products will be made with lead free electronics assemblies by 2005, a full year before the 2006 requirement! For more information on lead free soldering or PACE?s leading efforts in the industry, contact your local PACE representative or call PACE directly.