Inside SMT Room: Where Precision Meets Red Light Therapy Panel Production

Ever seen those tiny components on a circuit board? They don't magically appear. Welcome to the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) room.

REDDOT SMT room is the high-tech heart of our panel production. This specialized area houses advanced machinery, including a precision mounter, a controlled reflow oven, and an automated solder paste printing machines, all working in concert to create the core electronics of our red light therapy panels.

REDDOT SMT room showing the mounter, reflow oven, and printing machine

I've seen SMT rooms that look like they belong in a science fiction movie...and others that look like a disorganized mess. Let's explore the right way to do SMT.

The Mounter: Precision Placement

Think placing tiny components is easy? Think again. That's why we use a mounter.

The mounter is a high-speed, high-precision machine that automatically places surface-mount devices (SMDs) onto the printed circuit board (PCB). This automated process ensures accuracy and consistency far beyond human capability.

The mounter in action, with a robotic arm rapidly placing tiny components onto a PCB

How It Works:

1. Programming: The mounter is programmed with the exact location of each component on the PCB.
2. Component Feeders: Reels of tiny components are loaded into the machine.
3. Vacuum Pickup: The mounter uses a tiny vacuum nozzle to pick up each component.
4. Vision System: A camera system verifies the component's position and orientation.
5. Placement: The mounter precisely places the component onto the solder paste on the PCB.

REDDOT's Advantage:

• High Speed: Our mounter can place thousands of components per hour.
• High Precision: It can place components with an accuracy of +/- 0.04mm.
• Flexibility: It can handle a wide range of component sizes and types.

Reflow/Oven Temperature Test: The Perfect Bond

Too hot, and you fry the components. Too cold, and the solder doesn't melt. It's a delicate balance, that we mastered.

After the components are placed, the PCB goes through a reflow oven. This precisely controlled oven heats the solder paste, creating a permanent electrical and mechanical connection between the components and the board. Accurate temperature profiling is crucial for optimal soldering.

A PCB entering the reflow oven 

The Temperature Profile:

• Preheat: The board is gradually heated to activate the flux in the solder paste.
• Soak: The temperature is held steady to allow the flux to clean the surfaces.
• Reflow: The temperature is raised above the solder's melting point, creating the connection.
• Cooling: The board is gradually cooled to solidify the solder joints.

REDDOT's Expertise:

• Precise Control: Our reflow oven has multiple heating zones for precise temperature control.
• Temperature Profiling: We use thermocouples to monitor the temperature of the board throughout the process.
• Regular Calibration: We regularly calibrate our oven to ensure accuracy.

Printing Machine: The Foundation of the Connection

Think of solder paste like glue for electronics, but it has to be perfect.

The printing machine automatically applies solder paste to the PCB pads with precision and consistency. Before application, the solder paste is rewarmed and stirred to achieve the optimal viscosity for clean and uniform printing.

The printing machine applying solder paste to a PCB, with a stencil and squeegee visible

The Process:

1. Stencil Alignment: A stencil with openings corresponding to the PCB pads is aligned on the board.
2. Solder Paste Application: Solder paste is dispensed onto the stencil.
3. Squeegee Stroke: A squeegee moves across the stencil, forcing the solder paste through the openings and onto the PCB pads.
4. Paste Rewarming and Stirring: Before use, the solder paste is automatically rewarmed and stirred to ensure the correct consistency.

REDDOT's Focus:

• Automated Process: The printing machine ensures consistent solder paste application, avoiding human error.
• Viscosity Control: Rewarming and stirring the solder paste guarantees optimal flow and prevents defects.
• Stencil Cleaning: After each print, the machine automatically cleans.

Conclusion

REDDOT's SMT room is a testament to our commitment to precision and quality in red light therapy panel production. The advanced machinery and controlled processes ensure that every panel meets our rigorous standards.