SELECTIVE SOLDERING SYSTEMS PillarhouseI N T E R N A T I O N A L

Founded in 1978, by current Chairman Alex Ciniglio,Pillarhouse International pioneered the design andmanufacture of specialist equipment for the coilwinding and associated industries.

Pillarhouse produced its first production soldering system in 1984, and withcontinued growth throughout the 1980’s, used this technology to developthe world’s first selective soldering machine in 1994.

Our philosophy is to produce high engineering standard products with afocus on innovation and cutting edge development. This practice has ledto Pillarhouse holding several important patents that have been key to ourcontinued success over many years.

Pillarhouse has its Design & Manufacturing headquarters in Chelmsford – UK;Sales & Service, with a supplementary manufacturing facility, in Suzhou –China; and Sales & Service Support in Chicago – USA. Pillarhouse has developed into a Global company with Sales & Servicefacilities in over 50 countries.

Introduction

PILLARHOUSE

CHELMSFORD - UKDesign & Manufacturing Headquarters

SUZHOU - CHINASales & Service with additional manufacturingfacility

Chelmsford – UK manufacturing facility

CHICAGO - USASales & Service Supportfor North America

Pillarhouse... Expect innovationwww.pillarhouseusa.com

TECHNOLOGIESPillarhouse continues to be a leading force in the selectivesoldering industry, dedicated to the ongoing development of pioneering technologies to reflect and match the needs ofan everchanging marketplace.

Offering a wide range of machine options to cover the complexityof global demand for electronics production, Pillarhouse combineengineering experience, software development and futurethinking to provide cost effective and reliable selective solderingmachines and equipment.

PILLARHOUSE NITROGEN GENERATORSDesigned to meet the nitrogen supply requirements of all Pillarhouse selective soldering systems operating with conventionalnozzle technology. Available as 40LPM and80LPM versions.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHYKey to the Pillarhouse design philosophy is that no one machinecan meet the strict production demands of all market sectors.Whether it be a hand–load batch machine or fully integrated automatic production line, the process cannot be compromised.All Pillarhouse machines offer, as a standard feature, the ability tomonitor and control every function that can affect the productionprocess. Also, inherent to our principle, is that all machines shouldhave the capability to accept upgradeable options/enhancementsthroughout their production life.

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The process by which conventional leaded components are soldered onto aPCB. Originally devised for soldering those hard to get to areas of a circuitboard /assemblies which historically were carried out by hand operators usingsoldering irons. It has now become a recognised design process within thePCB manufacturing industry. This procedure is usually conducted after thesurface mount reflow operation.

Selective Soldering defined

THE PROCESS

FLUX HEAD IR PREHEATER SOLDER NOZZLE

Selective Soldering offers a significantly lower cost approach, over conventionalwave soldering, when soldering through-hole components on mixedtechnology PCBs. It offers the ability to eliminate the need for costly wavesolder pallets when using the traditional masking method. Furthermore, thequick interchange of solder baths e.g. eutectic to lead-free and vice versa,helps reduce production costs. Removing the need for hand soldering, cangreatly assist product quality and result in enhanced production throughput.

The benefits of Selective Soldering

PILLARCOMM CONTROL SOFTWAREPillarCOMM is the industry leadingprogramming and control software,written specifically for the Pillarhouseselective soldering systems. Using a‘Point & Click’ interface it allows theoperator to quickly and easily create a process programme.

DUAL FLUXOffering independentflux bottle supply, thiscombination is suitedwhen different methodsof flux application areconsidered beneficial.

DROP JETFast accurate miniaturedroplet of flux. Waterbase and alcohol basefluxes can be used.

ULTRASONICApplies an atomisedquantity of flux.Reliable and lowmaintenance use forhigher volume andhigh solids fluxes.

The purpose of fluxing a PCB

FLUXING

In electronics soldering, the primary purpose of flux is to prevent oxidation ofthe base and filler materials. Tin-lead solder (e.g.) attaches very well to copper,but poorly to the various oxides of copper, which form quickly at solderingtemperatures. Flux is a substance which is nearly inert at room temperature,but which becomes active at elevated temperatures, preventing the formationof metal oxides. Additionally, flux allows solder to flow easily rather than formingbeads as it would otherwise.

FLUXING TECHNIQUESWith the many flux types available today, whether they are water or alcoholbased, Pillarhouse has a solution.

Our PillarDOT Drop Jet Fluxer is a highly accurate method of applying flux.This method results in minimal flux deposit and reduces the need for PCBcleaning. This system can operate with a flux solid content up to 8%. For solidscontent above this additional maintenance may be required.

Our PillarSONIC ultrasonic flux head enables rapid flux deposition, with theability to handle flux with a solids content in excess of 25%.

For specialist applications custom fluxing systems can be provided.

DUAL FLUX HEADCombination of dual Drop Jet andUltrasonic or a mixture of both. Dedicated variable Pitch Dual Head Individual flux type handling.

PillarhouseI N T E R N A T I O N A L

Preheating is used for heating the board to enhance the solder process. It helpsin activating the flux. This method assists solder pull through on multi-layerPCBs and components with significant ground planes. It also reduces the riskof component thermal shock.

With the introduction of lead free solders, it has become almost essential tohave some form of pre-heating. Closed-loop control can be used for preciseand reliable heating and provides added confidence to your process.

Enhancing the soldering process

PREHEATING

Selective hot nitrogen - By heating a flow of nitrogen, the soldering systemsare able to preheat a localised area of the PCB whilst maintaining the inertatmosphere.Top side infrared preheat - By using fast response infrared lamps Pillarhouse hasthe ability to preheat the board: before fluxing, during, and/or after fluxing.Bottom side infrared preheat - By using fast response infrared lamps Pillarhousehas the ability to preheat the board after fluxing.Top and bottom side infrared preheat - Allows simultaneous heating of thetop and bottom side where the application dictates for complex or heavymulti-layer boards.Convection - This additional source of preheating offers the ability to ‘soak’PCBs for prolonged periods with minimal risk of scorching and further reducingthe possibility of thermal shock to components. Convection preheat can beparticularly beneficial when processing large multi-layer PCBs when cycle timeis not critical e.g. back planes, aerospace applications etc.

Preheater technologies

SELECTIVE HOT NITROGEN

TOP SIDE IR PREHEAT BOTTOM SIDE IR PREHEAT

BOTTOM SIDE RINGIR PREHEAT

TOP & BOTTOM SIDEPREHEAT

CONVECTION PREHEAT

PREHEATER CONTROLClosed-loop control- Pyrometer based closed loop control system.- Applies to both top side & bottomside preheat systems.- Monitors target temperature andadjusts the operating power automatically.- Adjustable to monitor PCB, orspecified area (component).- Real-time display of target temperature.

Open-loop control- Uses operator set values forpower and exposure time.- Applies to both top side and bottom side preheat systems.

MICRO NOZZLESuited for applications withultra-close proximity SMTcomponents on the sameside of the PCB. Availablein 1.5 and 2.5mm sizes.

AP-1 NOZZLEHigh flexibility, low tomedium volume production.

JETWAVEIdeal for fast soldering ofconnectors and componentswith longer pins.

MULTI-DIP NOZZLEProduct specific nozzle designed for high volumesingle dip production.

The soldering process

SOLDERING

Molten solder is pumped from a bath to an apertureknown as a solder nozzle. A stable flow of solder is thenoffered to a leaded component on a circuit board to producea soldered joint. The PCB remains static whilst the solderbath moves in the X, Y and Z axis underneath, thereforereducing the possibility of incorrectly positioned components.Solder can be pumped through a range of standard nozzlesor dedicated, product specific designs.

AdvantagesEach solder joint has independent control - when using single tube nozzleMinimal thermal shock Low running costSoldering under inert atmosphereNo need for expensive palletsSuitable for low to high volume productionFewer operators requiredRepeatabilityNon-contact application

SOLDERING TECHNIQUES

Pillarhouse uses a number of technologies to suit the specific customers’ needs. Whether that is the high precision and flexibility of the patented 1.5mm Micro-Nozzle; our all-purpose AP-1 nozzles; or the high speed options of the Jetwave/Multi-dip soldering method.

Soldering in an inert atmosphereBy soldering in an environment with minimal oxygen level results in reduced oxidation and gives a number of benefits:- The amount of dross is greatly reduced.- The clean solder surface gives improved wetting performance.- Fewer solder defects.

Pillarhouse uses an inert nitrogen atmosphere in which to solder. This enhances the process performance of fluxes thatwould otherwise be ineffective because of their reduced content of fluxing agents.

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NITROGEN PURITY ANALYSERMeasures oxygen level in PPM at the solder nozzle.

Additional equipment and processing

KEY PILLARHOUSE OPTIONS

DUAL SOLDER POTDual solder pots on independent Z axis to allow mixed nozzleswithin a process program.

FIDUCIAL CORRECTION IN 3-AXISCorrects board positional errors in X, Y and theta.

THERMAL NOZZLE CALIBRATIONUsing an imprint of the solder nozzle,on thermal paper, and with a scaledgrid the Operator can manually correct the solder nozzle position to within 0.1mm.

FLUX SPRAY/FLOW MONITORINGPillarhouse offer four types of fluxmonitoring systems, each of whichhas the ability to operate with eitherdrop jet or ultrasonic methods.

POT CODING/SOLDERFEEDER CODINGEnsures that the correctsolder bath and the correctsolder type are used by theprocess programme.

BOARD WARPCompensates, in the Z axis, for warping of the PCB.

HEATED TROLLIESAllows bath maintenance away fromthe machine and maintains sufficientheat in the solder bath for a morerapid changeover.

BAR CODES AND BOARD TRACEABILITYAllows automatic process programselection and board traceability,both locally and remotely.

PILLARGEN NITROGEN GENERATORSDesigned to meet the nitrogen supply requirements of all Pillarhouseselective soldering systems operatingwith conventional nozzle technology.Available as 40LPM and 80LPM versions.

WAVE HEIGHTAutomatically monitors the solderwave and maintains its height.Automatically adjusts pumpspeed to compensate any fluctuation in wave height.

WIDE WAVE SOLDER NOZZLEProvides a wave soldering capability to solder large areasavailable in 75mm and 150mm widths.

PILLARPAD OFFLINE PROGRAMMING PillarPAD offline programming package allowsthe operator to produce process programmesindependent of the soldering system.

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Worldwide technical support

Approximately 100 service engineers, spread across Pillarhouse and ouragents covering over 50 countries.15 directly employed by Pillarhouse- 7 in UK, 6 in USA/Mexico, 2 in China.Full training offered to all Agent-based service engineers.

Telephone and email supportPillarhouse UK and USA provide a telephone and email support service.During normal working hours (8am-5pm UK, 8am-5pm Central USA) engineers are available to provide technical and process support.Out of hours support, for special projects, available by prior arrangement.

Spare parts and consumablesPillarhouse UK and Pillarhouse USA hold an extensive stock of sparesand consumables.Many common/standard parts can be shipped for a next day delivery*Some technical support agents also have a basic spares holding.* Subject to final destination and local import controls.

Training On-site and at Pillarhouse facilitiesAppropriate training is available at the three primary Pillarhouse locations.Each facility has a dedicated training room with fully functioning machines. Training sessions vary in length from 1 day to a full week and are tailored to suit specific customer requirements.

Selective Soldering AcademyThe worlds first dedicated Selective Soldering Academy (SSA) providescomprehensive, real-world selective soldering instruction and training,covering everything from the basics of soldering to the most challengingselective soldering scenarios.

What does Pillarhouse after sales provide?

GLOBAL SERVICE

UK TRAININGCustomer training at PillarhouseUK facility.

SSA CHALLENGE BOARD

EXPECT INNOVATION

Pillarhouse International Ltd. www.pillarhouse.co.ukRodney Way, Widford, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3BY UK Tel: +44 (0) 1245 491333 Fax: +44 (0) 1245 491331Pillarhouse USA, Inc. www.pillarhouseusa.com201 Lively Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 USA Tel: +1 847 593 9080 Fax: +1 847 593 9084Pillarhouse (Suzhou) Soldering Systems Co., Ltd. www.pillarhouse.cn11 Yuanqi Road, Xiancheng, Suzhou, China 215131 Tel: +86 512 6586 0460 Fax: +86 512 6959 0567

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