Practical soldering and SMT courses

Courses take place at our facility; by agreement we can run a course at the customer's site. The schedule is typically theory in the morning, practice in the afternoon — adjustable by agreement.

A combination of the following topics can be selected:

• Basics of function and design of electronic components (PTH and SMD packages).
• Construction of classical (PTH) components.
• Construction of SMD packages.
• Handling of components including anti-static protection.
• Requirements for an anti-static workplace and principles of working with components sensitive to electrostatic discharge and moisture.
• New designs in electronics and microelectronics.
• General principles of PCB topology, including the differences in design for wave and reflow soldering.
• Introduction to PCB manufacturing including currently used technologies.
• Surface finishes and their selection with respect to solderability and reliability.
• Introduction to processes of placement, soldering and inspection, including fluxes and cleaning agents.
• Solder-joint reliability.

• Basics of manual soldering and repair for classical lead designs — soldering cables and cable connectors, working with the electronic desoldering tool, using bottom preheating and the mini-wave.
• Basics of SMT soldering and repair for surface mounting — chip packages (down to 0402), cylindrical packages, Flat-Pack and others.
• Optional: hands-on training on the customer's own PCBs.
• Practical introduction to contact technology and hot-air soldering.
• QFN and BGA soldering training.
• Specific problem-solving for your production within the course.
• PCB pad repairs.
• BGA reballing.
• Possible excursion through SMTplus production.
• Each two-day course participant assembles a simple board by hand-soldering as proof of their skill (two-day course only).
• Every participant receives feedback and a certificate of completion.

Each pair of participants has at least the following on a workbench fitted with an anti-static mat:

• temperature-controlled soldering station (PACE), soldering handpiece with two tips (small and large mini-wave), electronic desoldering tool, soldering tweezers with chip-component tips (PACE);
• tip set for contact and contactless component removal/placement;
• hand tools and a watchmaker's loupe, solder wick;
• a tray with various package types;
• tube-cored solder wire (standard SAC305 and SN100C), paste flux in a dedicated applicator (No Clean);
• a test soldering board for package soldering training;
• cleaning agents;
• for all participants: electronic and manual desoldering tools with suction tips, hot-air desoldering/soldering rework, and inspection equipment for visual joint control.

All theoretical and practical training is conducted in line with the relevant European and Czech ČSN EN and American IPC standards.

Courses can serve as requalification, advanced training for technical-secondary-school graduates, or initial training for new hires. Courses can also be given in English and partially in Russian. Theory is delivered by university lecturers. Minimum number of participants is 4. On request we can supply a training manual. Courses have been running since 1996.