EUTECT presents a new SWF piston soldering module
With the Sensitive Wire Feeder (SWF), EUTECT GmbH has the only patented, intelligent wire feeder worldwide in its product range. It can be used in combination with a laser (LL), piston (KL) or induction (IL) system for the soldering of assemblies. As part of the continuous product development, the Swabian soldering specialist now presents a new piston soldering module in combination with the SWF.
“We fundamentally rethought the piston soldering process-based customer inquiry,” explains Matthias Fehrenbach, Managing Director of EUTECT GmbH. For example, the customer’s request included carrying out the piston soldering process under nitrogen, including fully automated changing of the soldering tip. Since the process solution always takes top priority for EUTECT, the focus was on maximum functionality and controllability of the module used. Together with JBC, EUTECT thus developed a fully automated SWF-KL module which sets new standards in three key categories.
In combination with the SWF, the new KL module is the world’s first force, wire quantity and speed-controlled piston soldering system with 100% traceability. Furthermore, the new module is the only system in the world equipped with fully automated changing of the soldering tip and an integrated nitrogen gas supply. With the help of intelligent sensors, the operator is informed when the wire is tending towards the end in the feeder. Here, the system has another 40 mm of solder wire in reserve after the signal, in order to be able to complete both the current solder and the process. “We also redesigned the SWF in 2018. The new version of the SWF can thus also be quickly and easily adjusted for different solder wire diameters. Consequently, we achieve high flexibility for a wide range of applications,” Fehrenbach goes on to say. In addition, the SWF can also be freely integrated into the machine room in its latest stage of development. The SWF KL system adapter, which can be adjusted for optimal soldering results, allows for almost completely free, solid and reproducible arrangement of the wire feeders and the soldering piston kinematics.
The new SWF-KL module can also optionally be equipped with an extraction system. Depending on the overall automation solution, the product to be soldered and the process flow, the extraction system is integrated and minimises contamination in the system and in the installed components. Thanks to this, service and maintenance periods can be optimised. The freely adjustable speeds and wait and dwell times in the SWF module and in the motorised and spring-loaded piston infeed allows for a maximised process window. The piston soldering itself can also be adjusted for the production conditions and specifications. The piston soldering service life can be maximised through selecting the standby temperature and the functions, depending on the specific soldering process.
Alongside the SWF module and the piston soldering application, a new soldering tip changing system was developed. Changing of the soldering tip is done according to the process task or at defined intervals. “With these functions, we want to achieve the highest possible degree of reproducibility for fully automated piston soldering. But the efficient and sustainable use of soldering tips should also be guaranteed. We are therefore working on further, future solutions. In order to continue making maximum use of the piston soldering service life and the material consumption and thus minimise the tip requirements, for example, we are working on not only using the piston soldering tips on one side, but automatically turning them in order to achieve a longer operating period,” Fehrenbach looks to the future.
