All Questions
Tagged with pcb-fabrication soldering
17
questions
3
votes
1
answer
447
views
Interaction between PCB surface finish (ENIG vs HASL), wave soldering, and manual final assembly
I am developing a PCBA that is (for me, an amateur) fairly complicated: 4 layers, double-sided, mixed SMT/THT assembly. It is a fairly dense layout with ~150 total components including all the ...
- 411
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is it OK to solder to large copper pour area
Is it a problem to integrate an SMD pad into a large copper pour area? In this case, the packages are 1206. I am wondering if I need to be concerned about thermal issues and interfering with standard ...
- 107
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are these white/grey stains on the back of a motherboard?
I've recently bought a used motherboard and while cleaning it, I noticed these white stains on the back side of the PCB:
I've managed to perfectly clean the front side with pure isopropyl alcohol and ...
- 157
0
votes
2
answers
317
views
What happens if I don't tin my DIY self-etched PCB traces?
Once I etch my PCB from copper-clad FR4, do I need to tin the board with solder?
If I do not tin the traces, what are the possible issues besides greening over time?
- 2,088
2
votes
1
answer
472
views
Nixie tube project
I just got into Nixie tube clocks. I researched and found all the resources for the project (datasheets, models for Eagle/Fusion 360, etc.)
I designed a schematic as well as the board. The parts cost ...
- 35
1
vote
1
answer
151
views
How to solder a ultra small chip
I need to use a PAN1780 board for a research project, but there exists no breakout board (only huge evaluation boards), so I somehow need to design my own breakout board and solder the chip on it. ...
- 13
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Should I cool off in water the desoldered components?
I use a REGULAR (for home-use, not for electronics) hot air gun to desolder non-SMD components from PCBs. The components are really hot (naturally) after desoldering and it takes a while until they ...
- 834
-2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why solder paste is not popular and seems almost illegal? [closed]
Once I found out you can use solder paste to assembly at home I was shocked.
Think about it, any hardware startup build a pcb, its cheap, then you get it and you want 5-10 copies, and you also have ...
1
vote
1
answer
295
views
Second Reflow with BGA
For a DIY project BGA reflow soldering is really expensive to get it done by commercial means. I approached a university which allowed me to avail the help of their staff but they said they would only ...
- 259
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to make soldermask on PCBs for soldering?
I know how to do a PCB until this step (below image) ugly and not safe by short-circuits.
I found this PCB Plating Tape on Aliexpress (Link to the aliexpress product. I'm not the seller) which I ...
- 103
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
aluminum PCB soldering techniques for prototypes
I am wondering if i ordered some aluminum pcbs that contain D2pak transistors and i want to solder a couple of them for testing is it possible using basic equipment or does it need an Reflow soldering ...
- 3,239
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
ENIG or HASL for prototype with small pitch and expectation to need rework
I have a project where I'm about to order the PCB's for a first prototype, and I'm staring at the option of HASL vs. ENIG on the website. I will hand solder it with an iron, the smallest pitch part is ...
- 1,259
9
votes
3
answers
5k
views
SMD Crystal solder(?) problem and any recommended test procedure
I use a 32.768 kHz SMD crystal (datasheet) for a MCU. Here is the layout part of the crystal.
Here is a view from an actual PCB
I mounted the components by hand-soldering, and produced about 30 ...
- 3,305
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Lead solder toxicity after cooling?
Now I am sure that most people have read discussions on the possible hazards of handling solder and how your supposed to wash your hands after handling it. My question is, after soldering something, ...
- 151
5
votes
1
answer
872
views
Solder stop mask and tinning sequence
Is it recommended to tin PCBs before applying solder stop mask or should I apply the solder stop mask to the PCB and then apply the tinning?
Would tinning before applying the solder stop mask be ...
- 601