PRE-SOLDER ADHESIVE ATTACHMENT OF COMPONENTS - STOP CHASING PARTS AROUND THE BOARD !

STREAMLINE HAND SOLDERING: When hand soldering a common difficulty is trying to keep the part in place while you get at least one solder joint started. While it is possible to build circuits without using adhesives, Many users have found that attaching the parts first and then performing all the soldering operations "two handed" is easier and yields good results. A great many adhesives for this purpose are on the market, and many come with small blunt needle applicators that permit precision placement of glue dots. In other cases adhesives or epoxies may be applied by the pin transfer process.

PIN TRANSFER OF ADHESIVE: When the adhesive is supplied as a bulk liquid a means to apply a small dot is needed. The pin transfer method is simple and easy. Straighten a paper clip or use a piece of rigid wire as the pin. Place a small puddle of adhesive on a flat surface a dip the pin and then simply transfer the adhesive to the board surface. In this case factors such as depth of supply puddle and viscosity of the adhesive, as well as surface tension will determine the results. Practice is essential!



WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE SPECIAL ADHESIVE: A number of users have achieved acceptable results with common two part epoxies found in hardware stores, as well as thick gel type cyanoacrylate adhesives. It is important to understand that commercial products made for Surface Mount attachment are usually formulated to provide for enhanced matching of temperature coefficients, thermal conductivity, contrast enhancement, reworkability, etc. As a practical matter, from a technical purists perspective if would be best to have the special SMD adhesives, however, other adhesives could be used on a limited basis for prototype work within the limitations that may exist. Obviously a material must be selected that is non-conductive and will be of sufficient strength to withstand the effects of careful soldering.

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