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Selective Solder Nozzle Life

Selective Solder Nozzle Life

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We have a legacy Pillarhouse Jade and am not sure how long w... - Feb 17, 2023 by SMTA-71549289 SMTA

Hi there, I am using Inertec selective soldering. We do 8 hr... - Feb 21, 2023 by MagyarT

out of interest, do you know what the nozzles are made of ? ... - Feb 22, 2023 by RichC

From my understanding titanium is typically used for non-wet... - Feb 24, 2023 by SMTA-71549289 SMTA

Maintenance, solder type, and tinning flux chemistries are g... - Feb 28, 2023 by A Very Frazzled Man

That's great information, thank you. Do you have a particula... - Mar 02, 2023 by SMTA-71549289 SMTA

If you're using a good quality nozzle, you can clean the oxi... - Mar 02, 2023 by A Very Frazzled Man

Adipic Acid works well. It is a powder and not easy to apply... - Mar 02, 2023 by Stephen

I have found Superior No. 75 to be an absolute miracle worke... - May 15, 2023 by Mainteneer

Thank you, that's really helpful. Where can you get Superior... - May 22, 2023 by DALjn

We ended up purchasing direct from Superior. It was like $30... - May 22, 2023 by Mainteneer

We have been using our Pillarhouse Handex Selective for just... - Jun 02, 2023 by calebcSMT

SMTA-71549289

#88975

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 17 February, 2023

We have a legacy Pillarhouse Jade and am not sure how long we can expect a nozzle to last. We're new to using selective solder and we have things going, but there are some details like this where we just don't know what a reasonable expectation can be. With a single 8 hr shift, 5 days a week, lead-free, at a temp about 300C, any thoughts on how long a nozzle should last?

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @ SMTA SMTA

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MagyarT

#88982

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 21 February, 2023

Hi there, I am using Inertec selective soldering. We do 8 hr shift, 5 days a week, lead-free at 300C - changing nozzles once in 4-6 weeks. Regards, Tom

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RichC

#88985

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 22 February, 2023

out of interest, do you know what the nozzles are made of ? If you could get titanium ones then i would have thought abrasive wear shouldn't be an issue

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SMTA-71549289

#88996

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 24 February, 2023

From my understanding titanium is typically used for non-wetting nozzles, correct? And then wetting nozzles are made of other metals with a coating that allows it to wet.

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @ SMTA SMTA

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A Very Frazzled Man

#89004

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 28 February, 2023

Maintenance, solder type, and tinning flux chemistries are going to have an impact on nozzle life. Doing regular maintenance and using a good quality nozzle you should expect your nozzles to last 6-8 weeks when running a single shift operation. Keep them well tinned, and clean. Be sure to remove any oxidation as soon as it appears. We found that OEM nozzles were lasting 50% longer than any of the aftermarket nozzles we tried.

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SMTA-71549289

#89018

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 2 March, 2023

That's great information, thank you. Do you have a particular method for cleaning the nozzle or removing the oxidation on the nozzle? It would be a bummer to use a method that ends up damaging the nozzles.

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @ SMTA SMTA

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A Very Frazzled Man

#89019

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 2 March, 2023

If you're using a good quality nozzle, you can clean the oxidation off with a wire brush and an emery cloth. Just make sure you re-tin it very well before you use it.

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Stephen

#89020

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 2 March, 2023

Adipic Acid works well. It is a powder and not easy to apply, though.

It is what gives Jello, its bite.

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Mainteneer

#89363

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 15 May, 2023

I have found Superior No. 75 to be an absolute miracle worker when it comes to nozzle maintenance. I let our worst nozzles soak in that over the weekend and then the majority of the dross would literally flake off with light pressure from a pick/screwdriver. Light rubbing with a scotch brite pad and it's ready to soak for 5 minutes in the flux again and submerge in the pot (except the base of the nozzle) for the best tinning you've ever seen. The flux is not sticky like the flux we use during application- this is strictly for the maintenance and tinning. It's been a game changer for us, creating way less dross, better results, and less maintenance needed.

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DALjn

#89380

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 22 May, 2023

Thank you, that's really helpful. Where can you get Superior No 75? I looked at the list of suppliers provided on their website. Is that the only place to get it?

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Mainteneer

#89381

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 22 May, 2023

We ended up purchasing direct from Superior. It was like $300 for one gallon so pretty steep but considering it should last me over a year and save untold hours of labor during the course of that year, small price to pay.

Side note: If at all possible you should contact the manufacturer of your machine and make sure that type of flux is compatible with the type of alloy your nozzles are made of.

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calebcSMT

#89480

Selective Solder Nozzle Life | 2 June, 2023

We have been using our Pillarhouse Handex Selective for just over a year now.

We are finding the nozzles are lasting approx. 3-5 months with w/ SAC305 @ 305C. Generally don't have any issues with wetting and with good maintenance, proper use of the Active8 tinners and nozzle conditioner system, it's been better than anticipated based on Pillarhouse's documentation of 2-3 months.

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