SDG #061 SMD Assembly Using Solder Paste Stencil and Hot Air with PCBs from JLCPCB

Fast PCB assembly using solder paste for SMD SMT components
Equipment Used: Metcal MX-5200 Soldering Station with MX-H1-AV handpiece

[Gooberslot]

It's nice to see that you're not afraid to use flux. I've seen too many videos where people try to do SMD work without flux.

[rjordans]

Nice tip about the tissue, thanks for that! Enormous stencil BTW, I usually go for the custom size and just have 2 inches or so extra compared to the board. Makes them much easier to handle on your desk.

[The.Doctor.Venkman]

Very impressed, Steve. I'm still pretty much stuck in the world of through-hole, but plan to create a new lab when we move and buy all the necessary equipment to do it. I'll also be following your examples and using the stuff you've reviewed to accomplish it :-)

[korishan]

First time viewer, Steve. Great example of how to do this. I'll be doing some SMD soldering in a couple weeks, and this is a good basic tutorial and explanation of the process. Much appreciated! 😎👍
I'm building the Honest STM32F103C based boards (Kickstarter campaign is almost over) to help fight some of the fakes here in the US. I'll be doing quite a bit of these until I can start doing pick-n-place.

[bsodmike]

What flux cleaner do you use? I've got an old Metcal MX500 - which tip did you use on the large dsPIC?
I normally use the STTC-137 (Soldering Iron Tip, 30° Chisel, 1.78 mm) for everyday tasks, but find it a bit too find to pull away solder like that; I end up having to resort to the solder braid.

I'm just about to order the Metcal HCT-900, thanks!!

[robertcalkjr.]

Thanks Steve. I pretty much do all SMD soldering with my iron.

[JoshuaJapitan]

What is that compressed air tool that u used to pick and place the components?

[richardjennings]

Is it worth having locating holes in the pcb and stencil with pins on the mdf?

[EcProjects]

Good job :)
I like to use this method as well.

I find, I get the best results using a metal spatula and thick paste :)
I had good results with the Loctite paste.

I tried some of the cheap pastes from eBay and they all seemed a bit "runny".
But yeah, no reason to buy £50 worth of paste, if it will expire before the next use.

[adlerweb]

7:09 looks like a genuine micropaul of flux ;)

[M.y]

Nice Video. Which pick and place system and microscope did you used?

[Blessyplay]

Hi Sir. How irder every part of Gadjets?

[paul-c]

Hello Steve, I've never attempted this type of soldering, I like the tissue use, I've always just put the board in a ultrasonic cleaner with flux remover wash, the stencil are they made by the pcb makers or somewhere else.
Paul

[Justsquareenough]

What is the compressed air setup for the solder paste? Did you show in another video?

[ellisp]

Hi Steve, am impressed with the pick n place system at how well it works. brilliant vid.
Thanks

[ericdeschenes]

Hi Steve, I like your video and you make it look really easy to do smd work. I like the way you clean up your board and would like to know what type of flux remover you use and most important, what type of tissue you're using. I assume you need something that's lint free. Thanks

[ebrahimqassimalbanna]

Hi, can you recommend a air flow station ?

[nikolaykamerrer]

Hi! Could you record video about your camera setup and angles?

[oldblokeh]

A useful video, thanks. It would be helpful to know the solder composition and also to show a few components being reflowed in real-time, rather than speeded up, to give a more accurate impression of how long it should take. At least, I assume that part was all speeded up.

[NivagSwerdna]

You must have a very big letter box. :)