TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter is devoted to a discussion of the various unit processes of soldering, e.g., fluxing, preheating, soldering, and cleaning. The equipment itself is covered in Chap. 6. The techniques of wave soldering of printed circuits and surface mounting are covered in a complementary book. [1] Hand soldering is discussed in Chap. 8, which includes repair and touch-up. Soldering to special surfaces and unique applications are given in Chap. 9, which includes tinning and surface preparation. Readers are encouraged to study this chapter first and then proceed to the specific item of interest to their organization.
After the appropriate materials have been selected for a specific application (see Chap. 4), it is time to determine the proper technique and equipment to obtain a quality joint. Presoldering procedures and postsoldering operations are as important as the soldering process itself. This chapter is intended to help readers make the proper process selection to match their entire assembly and to outline the proper sequence of operation for optimum quality.
Soldering, like any other industrial processes, is fully controllable, provided there is good documentation. It is incumbent on management to take the necessary steps to assure these specifications are constantly updated. The process should never be allowed to depend on individual know-how, or memory, unless it is also written down.
Successful industrial organizations have a person, task group, or soldering committee charged with the responsibility of setting up a full...
