Surface mount soldering with hotplate

https://www.electronicthinking.com Follow along as I show you step-by-step how to solder surface mount devices onto a printed circuit board using just a hotplate, solder paste, toothpicks, and tweezers. If you ever felt that surface mount soldering was too difficult, watch as I position a TQFP44 ATMEGA644 microcontroller, 0603 resistors and capacitors, an SOT223 SMD voltage regulator, and an 0806 SMD inductor onto a PCB and use a hotplate to reflow the solder. Learn how much heat you will need, what to look for to know when it is done, and how to avoid getting burned.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• surface mount devices
• SMD
• surface mount soldering
• printed circuit board
• PCB
• TQFP
• TQFP44 ATMEGA644
• microcontroller
• 0603 resistor
• 0603 capacitor
• SOT223 voltage regulator
• 0806 inductor
• solder bridge
• hot plate
• hotplate
• solderpaste
• reflow

[shadesters]

Would a heat gun work just as well? From the top?

[ElectronicThinking]

@shadesters Heatguns are used sometimes for rework and can be effective for removing parts. You might find it difficult though to solder many parts like this because the air will tend to blow the parts around once the solder melts and they may not align well after it cools.

[marshallgs]

very well done and educational video. thank you

[mpayson]

Two comments: For hobbyists, don't stress too much about the age of your solder paste. If necessary, you may want to add some fresh liquid flux, but the lead itself will last forever.

Second, it's more expensive, but the solder paste syringes, such as are available from ZephPaste or ChipQuik make the process easier.

[adam1mc]

What type of 'soldering paste' do you use? I have a project that recommends that I solder the 130 connections using the hot-plate method. I've never even heard of that until now. I watched your video and think I can easily do this, but I'm having issues finding the soldering paste. What exactly do you use for this?

[ElectronicThinking]

@ElectronicThinking I just realized that I used the same "mask" term to describe the green coating that is applied to the circuit board itself and the tool that you can use to help apply the solder. The mask tool that helps apply the solder is a thin piece of metal with openings in it. The circuit board is also coated with a green mask like a layer of paint that covers all the metal traces and only leaves the solder pads exposed.

[ElectronicThinking]

@theemusic92 If you are going to be soldering many boards, then you might want to consider getting a mask that you can lay down over the board. The mask has openings that align with each solder pad so that you can apply an exact amount of solder to each pad. If you design your own boards, you can request the manufacturer to send a solder mask for the board. Each mask is designed to match exactly with one board design.

[ElectronicThinking]

@theemusic92 The printed circuit board is covered with a mask that leaves only the solder pads exposed. Solder will not stick to the mask and when it melts, the surface tension will pull the excess solder together. If you put down too much solder, then yes, you will get solder bridges that will need to be cleaned up before you can use the board. Just use a solder iron and some solder wick to remove the excess solder and closely look for more bridges.

[Davidyoyocool]

This is a good educational video. This is a good soldering technique that I hav'nt heard of before. Very well done.