Robotic Soldering by Japan Unix › Contact Soldering
Contact Soldering
Contact soldering, a fundamental technique in electronics manufacturing, involves joining two metal surfaces using a heated soldering iron and a filler metal known as solder. This method ensures reliable electrical connections and mechanical bonds between components.
Fancort Industries, a leader in high-quality tooling and automation equipment, offers advanced robotic soldering solutions tailored for modern manufacturing needs. Japan Unix' UNIX-DF Series desktop soldering robots are designed to meet the demands of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT). These robots feature enhanced network capabilities, improved robotic motion, and are optimized for both traditional iron soldering and laser soldering applications.
Contact Soldering Head
One of the primary aspects that differentiates Contact from Laser.
One of the primary aspects that differentiates contact soldering from laser soldering is the soldering head. The UMC-093 Contact Soldering Head from Japan Unix is a high-performance, compact soldering head designed primarily for automotive electronics applications. Key features include a 250W heating element with a temperature sensor positioned just 3mm from the tip, which allows for precise temperature control and efficient heat transfer. The soldering head has a fixed 75° angle and utilizes a Poka-Yoke system to ensure correct tip placement, enhancing operational reliability. This soldering head supports both point-to-point and linear soldering techniques, making it versatile for various soldering tasks. It is compatible with the Japan Unix USC-871 controller, and optional features include nitrogen gas supply and a needle mover for more specialized applications.
About our Soldering Tips
- High-performance soldering tips designed exclusively for automatic soldering operations.
- The soldering tips feature a black chromium plating, and the "tinned area" on the wetting surface is plated with lead-free solder.
- Available in various standard tip shapes, including point soldering and linear soldering.
- Custom tips can be designed and manufactured in multiples of 10 to meet customer specifications.
- Tip life spans in the range of 20,000 - 25,000 hits, depending on the application.
*Special tips are built to order.
Contact Soldering Process
Pre-Heat: In both processes, the temperature is gradually raised to prevent thermal shock to sensitive components. Flux is applied to clean the surfaces and promote better bonding.
Heating: For contact soldering, a heated iron tip is used to transfer heat to the joint, melting the solder. In laser soldering, a focused laser beam is activated to rapidly heat the solder and components, ensuring precise control over the temperature to avoid damage.
Post-Heat: Solder is applied to the joint in both methods. In contact soldering, the molten solder fills gaps and forms a solid connection. In laser soldering, the solder melts and flows into place, creating a strong bond without overheating surrounding areas.
Cooling: The iron tip or laser is removed, and the joint is allowed to cool, solidifying the solder and ensuring a reliable electrical and mechanical connection.
Both techniques ensure a secure solder joint but differ in their heat application—contact soldering uses a heated iron, while laser soldering uses a focused beam of light.
Pre-Heat: In both processes, the temperature is gradually raised to prevent thermal shock to sensitive components. Flux is applied to clean the surfaces and promote better bonding.
Heating: For contact soldering, a heated iron tip is used to transfer heat to the joint, melting the solder. In laser soldering, a focused laser beam is activated to rapidly heat the solder and components, ensuring precise control over the temperature to avoid damage.
Post-Heat: Solder is applied to the joint in both methods. In contact soldering, the molten solder fills gaps and forms a solid connection. In laser soldering, the solder melts and flows into place, creating a strong bond without overheating surrounding areas.
Cooling: The iron tip or laser is removed, and the joint is allowed to cool, solidifying the solder and ensuring a reliable electrical and mechanical connection.
Pre-Heat: Before soldering, it's important to gradually warm up the components to prevent thermal shock. With a soldering iron, the tip heats the area slowly, and flux is applied to clean the surfaces for better adhesion.
Heating: This is where the real action happens. In contact soldering, the heated iron tip touches the joint, transferring heat directly to melt the solder.
Post-Heat: Once the joint is hot enough, the solder melts and flows into place. With a soldering iron, the heat keeps the solder molten until it fills the gaps and bonds properly.
Cooling: After the solder is applied, it needs to cool and solidify. In contact soldering, removing the iron allows the solder to naturally harden into a strong connection.
Certified Robots & Platforms
Certified Robots - Available in Contact and Laser
Benchtop
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Gantry
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SCARA
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6-Axis
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Modules
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Certified Platforms - Available in Contact and Laser
Twin-Table Benchtop
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Stand-Alone Gantry
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Twin-Table Gantry
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SCARA Cell
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Stand-Alone Cell
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Inline Cell
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AutoBlocks
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Types of Applications
- Contact Soldering
THROUGH-HOLE COMPONENTS
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A soldering iron system heats the joint directly to melt solder around the through-hole pin.
WIRE-TO-PAD / WIRE-TO-BOARD
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Soldering iron is used to attach wires to pads, posts, or terminals with pre-applied solder or flux.
SURFACE-MOUNT PADS
- A fine-tip iron applies heat and solder to SMD pads and leads.
CONNECTORS / MULTI-PIN ROWS
- Soldering iron or selective soldering system applies heat to each pin or solder lug on the connector.
FINE-PITCH IC LEADS
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Robotic soldering ensures precise, reliable connections on dense PCBs with very small lead spacing.
ODD-FORMS & SPECIAL TERMINALS
- Automated soldering handles irregular components and unique terminals with consistent accuracy and repeatability.
Browse Our Add-Ons
Standard Feeder
The "Standard Feeder" from Japan Unix is typically used in robotic soldering systems to automate the process of feeding solder wire to the soldering tip. Available in High-Precision Version.
Clean Cut Feeder
The feeder’s notching technology reduces flux dispersal and solder balls, preventing manufacturing issues like flux splatter. Available in High-Precision Version.
Brush Cleaner
Automated cleaner for irons tip that removes carbides, stannous tin oxides, and other impurities caused from soldering operations. This ensures that the soldering tips maintain optimal thermal conductivity and performance.
Tip Position Corrector
Adjusts tip slippage caused from thermal expansion, burning out or others. It never requires resetting conditions or reconfiguration. Its fully automated. Managing unexpected slippage is essential for maintaining consistent quality.
Uni-Tester
Accurately measure soldering iron tip temperature, tip-to-ground potential, and tip-to-ground resistance. Features a separate sensor unit, RS232C data output, and compliance with MIL-STD-2000A, IPC J-STD-001G, and IEC 61191-1 (Ed.3/2018).
Fiducial Correction
Revolutionize your robotic soldering with our cutting-edge Fiducial Correction Vision System, ensuring pinpoint accuracy and seamless precision based on fiducial marks.
Traceability
Enhance traceability in manufacturing and logistics by providing accurate and reliable data capture, ensuring that each product or component can be tracked through every stage of the production process.
AOI Vision Sensor
High-Performance Vision Sensor with AI capabilities.
1.Presence/Absence detection of features, patterns, edges, and circles.
2.Ethernet communication with TCP/IP, Profinet, ethernet/IP, SLMP, and FTP for saving data.
Fixturing
Specifically designed to hold, support, and position parts or assemblies during operations like machining, soldering, or inspection. Tailor made fixturing to ensure repeatability for your process.
Airblow
Air blower, vacuum type. Reduces debris scattering. Built-in solenoid valve. It uses compressed air to blow away unwanted particles, which helps in maintaining a clean and efficient soldering process.
Flux Dispensing
We precisely apply flux - a chemical cleaning agent - onto a printed circuit board (PCB) before soldering. Flux removes oxidation and prepares the metal surfaces for a stronger, more reliable solder bond.
Fume Extractor
Effectively remove harmful dust, smoke, and fumes right at the source, ensuring clean, safety-compliant air.
Lock-on Mechanism
Secure the wire solder feed in a fixed position and avoid common defects caused by feed misalignment.
Nitrogen Gas Generator
Nitrogen Gas Generator. Your go-to tool for cleaner, more reliable lead-free soldering.
Soldering Tips
Designed to transfer heat from the soldering iron to the components and solder, enabling the melting of solder to form electrical connections. Made with high-quality materials to ensure durability, and consistent performance.
Enhance Your Soldering Operations with Premium Add-Ons!
Unlock the full potential of your robotic soldering systems with our advanced Contact Soldering Add-Ons and Laser Soldering Add-Ons. Designed to elevate precision, efficiency, and reliability, these accessories seamlessly integrate into your workflow to meet even the most demanding production requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of contact soldering?
Consistently high quality joints, lower operator skill, up to 2x productivity.
Is robotic soldering faster than hand soldering?
Yes, a robotic soldering process is typically faster because an operator can load while the robot is simultaneously soldering.
I have a high product mix. How do I address fixturing?
AFancort is an expert fixture designer with the ability to develop quick change and flexible fixturing options.
Does Japan Unix/Fancort offer in-line turn-key solutions?
Absolutely, Japan Unix and Fancort can both offer solutions for high volume processes including assembly, inspection and other ancillary processes.
What is the typical Japan Unix tip life? How much do tips costs?
Japan Unix tips provide industry-leading tip life in the range of 20,000 — 25,000 hits depending on the application. Tips are typically half the cost of competitive offerings with integrated heating elements.
How do I determine if my application is a good candidate for robotic soldering?
Fancort offers free application reviews. If the process meets our standards then we proceed to a consultative proof of concept phase where we may run samples and develop fixturing concepts.
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Robotic Soldering Sitemap
SERVICES
Robotic Soldering Automation
VISION SYSTEMS
Teaching Aid
Fiducial Correction System
LASER SOLDERING
Laser Soldering
Desktop Laser
UNIX-DF303L
IRON SOLDERING
Iron Soldering
CONSUMABLES
Soldering Tips
• SUPPORT
Online Support
On-site Support
PLATFORMS (LASER)
Stand-Alone Cell
Stand-Alone Gantry
Twin-Table Cell
Inline Cell
ADD-ONS (LASER)
Standard Feeder
Clean Cut Feeder
Thermo Pro
Multi-phi
Solder Wire Preheater
Traceability
Airgun Preheater
PMX 1212 Preheater
Twin Spot
Area Laser
Fiducial Correction
AOI Vision Sensor
SVX Solder Paste Dispenser
Fixturing