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Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by jdizzlemynizzal

A datasheet that includes footprints and dimensions for the US8
package,  http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/NC/NC7WZ08.pdf , this is
incredibly small, its basically about the size of an SOT-23 but with 8
pins. Some tips on soldering laughably small SMD components like the
US8 would be appreciated.

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Volkan Sahin

For the fine pitch packages I am soldering one corner
of chip and then doing fine alignment by checking
opposite corner. If it is ok then I am soldering this
corner also.  As a next step I am using to much solder
for all pins and short circuiting all pins of the chip
by solder, after than I am removing excess solder by
solder wick. I am also checking shorts by magnifier
and then I am cleaning the board by acetone or
alcohol. By this method I could be able to solder down
to 0.35mm fine pitch SMD components.

Volkan

--- jdizzlemynizzal <jdizzlemynizzal@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> A datasheet that includes footprints and dimensions
> for the US8
> package, 
> http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/NC/NC7WZ08.pdf ,
> this is
> incredibly small, its basically about the size of an
> SOT-23 but with 8
> pins. Some tips on soldering laughably small SMD
> components like the
> US8 would be appreciated.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by william.kroyer@kilroysprojects.net

What I do with those really small smt packages is first tin the legs and then the pads.  Then I get it lined up and just hit two catty-corner pins (ie pin 4 and pin 8) to hold it in place.  Then I just go down the line and hit each leg with a bit of heat.  I find that with those small packages the solder used to tin the legs and pads is usually enough to get a good clean solder joint.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: jdizzlemynizzal 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 1:10 AM
  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?


  A datasheet that includes footprints and dimensions for the US8
  package, http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/NC/NC7WZ08.pdf , this is
  incredibly small, its basically about the size of an SOT-23 but with 8
  pins. Some tips on soldering laughably small SMD components like the
  US8 would be appreciated.



   


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 07:10:50 +0200, jdizzlemynizzal  
<jdizzlemynizzal@...> wrote:

> A datasheet that includes footprints and dimensions for the US8
> package,  http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/NC/NC7WZ08.pdf , this is
> incredibly small, its basically about the size of an SOT-23 but with 8
> pins. Some tips on soldering laughably small SMD components like the
> US8 would be appreciated.


Use paste and reflow it but you can still solder that with an iron and a  
magnifier in a pinch.
The micropak will only work with paste or pre-tinning and reflow.

ST

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Leon Heller

----- Original Message ----- 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "jdizzlemynizzal" <jdizzlemynizzal@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 6:10 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, 
with a fine tip solder iron?


>A datasheet that includes footprints and dimensions for the US8
> package,  http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/NC/NC7WZ08.pdf , this is
> incredibly small, its basically about the size of an SOT-23 but with 8
> pins. Some tips on soldering laughably small SMD components like the
> US8 would be appreciated.

I've soldered a lot of 0.5 mm lead-pitch devices. I use a microscope to tack 
down two leads on opposite corners, and drag-solder the leads, using plenty 
of flux. With a small device like that I might solder the leads 
individually.

Leon

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:04:31 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:

>> Use paste and reflow it

> Waste of time for an IC like that unless you're reflowing all
> components. And reflowing all components (a whole board) without
> soldermask is a disaster waiting to happen.

That's just hot air. (forgive the pun).

Even a single IC with 8 pins is quicker reflow-soldered than iron soldered.

Reflowing without soldermask is no problem at all as long as you  
understand what you are doing and observe some rules when routing the  
board.

As soon as you have a thermal pad or leadless package the iron is out  
anyway...

I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy a hot air tool to reflow a single IC if  
it can be iron soldered as well, but if you have the tools anyway there is  
no reason at all not to solder these things like they were meant to be  
soldered.

ST

Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by derekhawkins

>That's just hot air

Geez, let me guess, you've hot air reflowed a few SMD ICs in your 
time. Probably the only SMD component on the entire board. Otherwise, 
it would be interesting to hear you tackling more than one of these 
US8 packages in close proximity on the board using hot air.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:59:04 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:

>
> Geez, let me guess, you've hot air reflowed a few SMD ICs in your
> time. Probably the only SMD component on the entire board. Otherwise,
> it would be interesting to hear you tackling more than one of these
> US8 packages in close proximity on the board using hot air.


Can you re-phrase that so i get what you are saying?


ST

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:07:11 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:

>
> Soldering may be the least of your worries if you're using TT. Spacing
> between pads is less than .008".


0.5mm pitch is no probem with TT, using a 600dpi printer.
But it's best to make the pads slightly narrower than you'd usually make  
them, since the toner spreads a little.
How much depends, best experiment.

Now what is a problem on homebrew boards is getting signals to and fro,  
without real vias...

I'd much prefer if they didn't make them parts so small, but what can you  
do?

ST

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Robert Hedan

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de derekhawkins
> Envoyé : septembre 3 2006 09:59
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on 
> soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?
> 
> 
> Geez, let me guess, you've hot air reflowed a few SMD ICs in your 
> time. Probably the only SMD component on the entire board. Otherwise, 
> it would be interesting to hear you tackling more than one of these 
> US8 packages in close proximity on the board using hot air.
> 


I have a hot air tool and used it infrequently so far.  But the few times I
did use it, the tool was very helpful tackling ICs like these.  Proximity is
relative, if the next IC is 100 mil away, yes, you are going to have some
problem.  But that's not the case on any of my boards, I leave enough room
'cause I end up with extra traces all over the place anyways in trying to
limit vias.

Tinning the legs and pads is critical, so is solder flux.  Patience, a
decent mag lense and tweezers come in very handy.

Robert
:)

Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iro

2006-09-03 by jdizzlemynizzal

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "derekhawkins" <eldata@...> wrote:
>
> >That's just hot air
> 
> Geez, let me guess, you've hot air reflowed a few SMD ICs in your 
> time. Probably the only SMD component on the entire board. Otherwise, 
> it would be interesting to hear you tackling more than one of these 
> US8 packages in close proximity on the board using hot air.
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
> <stefan_trethan@> wrote:
> >
>

What is the procedure in Hot Air Reflowing?

Re: RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 17:20:05 +0200, Robert Hedan  
<robert.hedan@...> wrote:

>  Proximity is
> relative, if the next IC is 100 mil away, yes, you are going to have some
> problem.  But that's not the case on any of my boards, I leave enough  
> room
> 'cause I end up with extra traces all over the place anyways in trying to
> limit vias.


You can use cardboard or PCB pieces or something to shield sensitive  
components like 'lytics or plastic parts that are not meant to withstand  
reflow.
There is no harm in warming up surrounding ICs that were meant for reflow  
anyway.

ST

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Leon Heller

----- Original Message ----- 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: "Stefan Trethan" <stefan_trethan@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 
packages, with a fine tip solder iron?


> On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:59:04 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:
>
>>
>> Geez, let me guess, you've hot air reflowed a few SMD ICs in your
>> time. Probably the only SMD component on the entire board. Otherwise,
>> it would be interesting to hear you tackling more than one of these
>> US8 packages in close proximity on the board using hot air.
>
>
> Can you re-phrase that so i get what you are saying?

He wants to know if you could solder one of those little parts with hot air 
that is situated near other ones. Presumably he is concerned about the hot 
air on the chip being soldered desoldering those near it.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
leon.heller@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 17:42:40 +0200, Leon Heller  
<leon.heller@...> wrote:

>
> He wants to know if you could solder one of those little parts with hot  
> air
> that is situated near other ones. Presumably he is concerned about the  
> hot
> air on the chip being soldered desoldering those near it.
> Leon


So what - they'll just solidify again.

It depends on what nozzle you use.

With the oven you can do an entire board.
With the hot air gun without nozzle you can also do entire boards by  
moving it about.
With a 1cm nozzle you can nicely do individual ICs, but surrounding ICs  
will be affected, i'd guess maybe a 3cm diameter circle that could  
potentially melt.

With the tiny hot air pencil on the soldering iron i can take out or  
solder individual 2-pin chips without the others around melting, or very  
small ics if i move about over all the leads in a periodic fashion.

It's not really been much of a worry for me with surrounding components.  
But then i don't put anything sensitive where it would be a problem on my  
boards. I've definitely desoldered more chip components accidentally when  
trying to butcher around with the soldering iron.

People sometimes have the misconception that things will fly away in the  
airstream. That is not happening if the the volume/speed is low enough. I  
sometimes do that with the hot air pencil though, blast components off  
boards, that's good fun and lets you know when they are loose. ;-)

ST

RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by derekhawkins

>There is no harm in warming up surrounding ICs that were meant for 
>reflow anyway.

Well, with small SMDs and high density placement, trust me,  you 
wouldn't want to use a hot air tool for soldering at all. Even when 
desoldering, where the tool is most useful, there are issues with 
unintentionally removing surrounding SMDs. Yes, you can speculate all 
you want but it's quite obvious that your SMD soldering experience is 
limited.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iro

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 17:36:39 +0200, jdizzlemynizzal  
<jdizzlemynizzal@...> wrote:

>
> What is the procedure in Hot Air Reflowing?


You apply solder and flux in some form, usually a paste with small solder  
particles in it, but in a pinch you can also simply tin one or both  
surfaces. Then you position the component close to where it should end up.
Next you re-flow the solder by melting it in some way (therefore the  
name), with hot air, an oven, a hotplate, or even infrared light.
This forms nice solder joints almost magically, surface tension making  
sure the solder goes where it is wanted and the parts align properly.

Then you let things cool, clean of the flux if needed, and you are done.

The really big advantage is undoubtedly that it is very efficient if you  
have many components, but with SMD it is also the most convenient way to  
do rework etc..

ST

Re: RE : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 18:20:48 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:

> Well, with small SMDs and high density placement, trust me,  you
> wouldn't want to use a hot air tool for soldering at all. Even when
> desoldering, where the tool is most useful, there are issues with
> unintentionally removing surrounding SMDs. Yes, you can speculate all
> you want but it's quite obvious that your SMD soldering experience is
> limited.


You must use too much airflow or something.
I have no trouble at all to take off individual components of something  
like a densely populated harddrive, without disturbing surrounding parts,  
with just the large heat gun even without any nozzle at all. Yes, others  
will melt, but why should they be removed? Just dont touch them, grab the  
one you want to replace with tweezers and take it straight up. I really  
don't think there are boards where you can't even get tweezers in between  
components.
As far as i know the people working on mobile phones use hot air too...

I've SMD soldering tweezers as well, but compared to hot air they are a  
PITA, and short of special iron tips i see no other way to remove smd  
components.

soldering is of course even easier since you do not have to touch the  
component when everything is hot to remove it.

So if you make such claims, maybe support them with industry examples,  
examples for hot air rework there are plenty....

ST

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anyone have experience on soldering US8 packages, with a fine tip solder iron?

2006-09-03 by Stefan Trethan

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 19:06:33 +0200, derekhawkins <eldata@...> wrote:

>
>
>> With the hot air gun without nozzle you can also do entire boards
>> by moving it about.

> Moving it about where? The bottom side of the board perhaps.


No from the top. Moving it in like an S shaped pattern, slowly. Imagine it  
a bit like painting with a spray gun.

Makes only sense with smaller boards (say no longer than 10cm), but it  
works so well it has discouraged me from building that oven until now.


ST