Keeping Pb-bearing and Pb-free solders separate while transitioning to Pb-free manufacturing is easy with swappable solder pots, a feature of KISS selective soldering systems.
Craig Curk, national sales manager, notes that “most customers are ordering two solder pots, one for lead-based, one for no-lead. The pots are clearly marked and color-coded to prevent mix-ups that can result in cross- contamination. Each pot is equipped with its own solder pump and solder delivery systems; extra nozzles are ordered separately.”
Changeover between pots is fast and simple. The nitrogen supply is removed via a "quick connect” fitting, pump power is removed and reattached with power plug, and re-heating from a cold start takes about an hour.
Applications include assembly, prototyping and rework, post-reflow offline assembly and other soldering applications such as odd-form devices.