A new lead-free wave soldering system installed in Remploy Electronics' Bolton manufacturing facility is claimed to be the first of its kind in Europe. The SM-450 series, made by JT Electronics and supplied by Qualitek Europe, employs an innovative electromagnetic pumping system to generate and control the solder wave flow, removing the need for moving parts. This method also enables highly accurate control of the solder height, resulting in an extremely stable solder wave.
Lead-free alloys can cause levels of abrasion greater than those associated with a lead solder process. Utilising a non-mechanical pumping method significantly reduces the incidence of dross production and removes the possibility of attrition of pump parts contaminating the solder. Also, with three independent pre-heating zones, the system is ready for use with VOC-free flux as, and when, volatile organic compounds are phased out in future. A cooling module fitted immediately after the solder wave ensures brighter and smoother solder joints when processing with lead-free alloys.
Peter Butterworth, local Remploy manager in Bolton, commented: "The lack of solder contamination and the reduced downtime - resulting from less maintenance being required - enables us to deliver an even more efficient service to our customers. In addition, the cooling system produces a higher integrity intermetallic structure as well as being aesthetically more pleasing compared to other current methods."
Paul Chadwick, general manager of Qualitek Europe, added: "We have supplied many of these systems in the Far East, where it is well-established. Remploy has the first CE-approved model in Europe and, with fine-tuning features such as electronic conveyor angle adjustment, the SM-450 is a very high specification unit comparable to those employed by the major global CEMs."
Ruth Kelly, MP Bolton West, inspects the new wave solder system at Remploy Electronics' Bolton site. Also present are (from left) Peter Butterworth and Stuart Knowles of Remploy and Dr Brian Iddon, MP Bolton East.
About Remploy
Remploy is the UK's leading provider of jobs for disabled people. Last year it supported, in work or into work, more than 10,000 people with a range of physical, sensory and mental disabilities. The company employs 5,700 disabled people in its own manufacturing and services businesses and this year its specialist recruitment agency, Remploy Interwork, found jobs in mainstream employment for a further 4,300.
Remploy Electronics is a standalone division created in 2003 to focus entirely on providing manufacturing services to the electronics sector. It has five dedicated production sites offering printed circuit board (PCB), cable and wiring harness, and electro-mechanical assembly.
For further information, contact:
Coralie Villard,
Remploy Electronics,
Long Reach Road, Barking,
Essex, IG11 0JW
Tel: 020 8507 5890
www.remployelectronics.co.uk
electronics@remploy.co.uk
