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SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD

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WAYNE

#36080

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 11 August, 2005

MY COMPANY HAS AN OLD HOLLIS WAVE SOLDER MACHINE THAT WE HAVE USED LEADED SOLDER IN FOR YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT THE FOLLOWING: 1.CAN THIS WAVE SOLDER MACHINE BE "DE-LEADED" IN ORDER TO USE LEAD FREE SOLDER? 2. WHAT WOULD THE COST BE? 3. NAME OF A COMPANY THAT COULD DO THIS FOR US.

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#36082

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 11 August, 2005

I don't know if your pot can be cleaned out, but even if it can, lead free solder will almost certainly eat through your pot. There's plenty of information on this site about this subject, I recommend you try searching for something like "lead free wave".

Good luck.

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#36089

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 11 August, 2005

First off, your Hollis pot cannot withstand a SAC305 no-Pb alloy. Could corrode in as little as three months of continuous use.

To "de-lead" you drain the pot, clean as much manually then flush with Sn.

The wave user or your solder supplier typically does it

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#36099

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 12 August, 2005

It is true that the SAC alloys are very aggressive to unprotected solder pots but the SN100C lead free alloy can be used in these pots IF they are not already being wetted by your SN63 alloy. FCT Assembly offers a program that includes free tin wash and free analysis with the purchase of a SN100C pot fill. I have switched over 10 machines this year including a 20+ year old Hollis. The key to successfully running lead free in an older machine is to ensure you have adequate preheat capability to reach the recommended topside temperatures required for lead free. Please contact me if you require further information. bgilbert@fctassembly.com

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#36104

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 12 August, 2005

Bob,

I've heard that many WSM manufacturers are not providing warranties for stainless steel solder pots that are holding SN100 because they are not completely confident that the SN100C alloy is non-destructive to the pot. fct�s own webpage states that advantages of SN100C over SAC alloys include ��less attack on stainless steel solder pots�� How do you respond to this?

Also, how would one know if SN63 wetting has occured in one's solder pot?

Thanks, Pete

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#36105

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 12 August, 2005

Electrovert's corrosion tests show that it's less corrosive to SS than SAC but it still exhibited corrosive characteristics. What they can't tell from the tests yet is how long before the corrosion starts with the alloy. To be 100% sure, Electrovert reccomends some corrosion protection.

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#36110

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 12 August, 2005

Hello Pete, I am not aware of any Wave solder machine manufacturer selling new pots from SS without being "LF compatible". Who would buy it now?? Also, machine warranties generally are no longer than 1 year anyway so all existing machines over 1 year old are not covered now. "Less attack" equals playing politics. The bottom line facts: over 400 "unprotected" machines running worldwide with SN100C, some over 5 years with no reported corrosion to date. Real life, what more can you ask for?

Wetting the pot by SN63: Our customer empties the pot and I inspect the surface for wetting, adhering solder and pitting. No pitting/adhesion, it's good to go for SN100C. We also monitor the iron in our free analysis program after SN100C is in use to ensure the equipment is not being affected.

Regards, Bob

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#36111

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 12 August, 2005

Hello Pete, Do you know how long Electrovert warranties their coated pots/pump equipment in use with SAC alloys? Also, does the warranty cover an operator scratching the surface while cleaning the pot in normal maintenance procedures?

The good news with Electrovert pots is we will have a good idea of their resistance to SN100C as I have it in 10 machines with unprotected pots to date. The oldest running now over 1 year. Thanks, Bob

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www.teiloengineering.com

#36120

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 15 August, 2005

we are manufacturers and suppliers of titanium retrofit kits for all type of wave solder machines as you will see on our website best regards robert emmanuel

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Richard

#39624

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 10 February, 2006

FCT Assembly, Greely, CO

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#39625

SWITCHING OF WAVE SOLDER MACHINE FROM LEADED TO NO-LEAD | 11 February, 2006

Its just not worth considering when you can , purchase a lead free designed Machine in Europe for not much more than the conversion this what we have done we have purchased our secnd Nousstar machine Nousstar NS-350-TW-LFI n2

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