The aim of automation tasks is often to replace manual assembly operations due to quality assurance, production capacity increase or other aspects. In this case, the client had a special request to use their existing devices, if possible, in which case we had to turn to hybrid solutions. In the framework of this project, we had to modify a desktop wave soldering device so it can be controlled via automation, and then integrate it into a station that has all the necessary peripherals to ensure soldering quality.

The base of the station is a 6-position rotary indexing table. At the first station, the operator manually pre-assembles the circuit board with the cable harness to be soldered and then inserts it into the unique ESD-protected seat. At subsequent stations, the flux is applied using a precision nozzle, and then the part is preheated. Soldering takes place at the fourth station, where the immersion parameters can be precisely controlled in order to achieve the appropriate soldering quality. After that, any tin balls that may have formed are removed with the help of an ESD-protected brush. At the end of the process, an AI vision sensor checks the soldering quality, based on which the station provides data to the production management system.