Alpha has recently introduced Exactalloy solder preforms for wire harness and cable assembly, an aiding technology for the incorporation of PCBs into stand-alone soldering processes including higher level assemblies. In response to RoHS and WEEE directives, specifically, the elimination of hazardous substances Cadmium and Lead, Alpha’s products are designed to be low-temperature and lead-free. The sleeves offered are a drop-in replacement for cadmium and lead bearing alloys. Alpha’s solder preforms for wire harness and cable assembly are an excellent solution for manual or automated soldering and maximize your product yield and reliability, as well as your assembly process efficiency.

Alpha’s specialty formulated thermochromic dyes activate at a specified temperature enabling visual confirmation of a reliable solder joint.

In addition to Alpha solder preforms, Alpha now offers new thermochromic indicators, the latest solution for verifying a solder joint. When the solder joint is complete, a thermochromic dye on the solder preform will change from clear to magenta. This change in color takes approximately 25 seconds and is an indication that the joint is finished as well as heavily reliable. Once this solder joint is complete, it is easy to reproduce with Alpha’s many different washer and sleeve sizes. Whether in a manual or automated assembly process, a precise solder volume can be dialed in on for an exact replication every time.

Alpha offers an extensive assortment of preform products designed for both stand-alone and assembly applications. They have developed solder preforms tape and reel packaging to allow the incorporation of solder preforms into the PCB assembly process. This packaging is used alongside solder paste in order to selectively grow the volume of solder using pick and place equipment. With tape and reel packaging, the need for stencils or PCB layout changes are no longer necessary to solve solder issues. Alpha has continuously offered and still offers the broadest range of alloys and tape and reel preform sizes. These offerings include all of the typical solder paste assembly alloys as well as the new, low-temperature SnBi alloys that are RoHS compliant.

The opportunity to eliminate wave soldering presents itself when automatically placed preforms from tape and reel packaging and printed solder paste are combined. From this arises improved throughput as well as significant cost savings. Standard assembly equipment can be utilized to grow the volume of solder on a per pad basis using tape and reel packaged preforms. When tape and reel is the format chosen, components are put in spcifically created pockets that are embossed in plastic carrier tape. As the electronics industry grows and more money is invested into surface mount technology, tape and reel packaging is becoming the preferred packing material. This protects components from damages that may occur during shipping, handling, and palcement.

Almost all rework can be prevented by utilizing Alpha’s Exactalloy solder preforms. Alpha’s numerous available preform shapes and accurate solder control will guarantee repeatable solder joints. These parts come equipped with a durable dust-free flux coating that reduces maintenance in any automated assembly. Problems encountered can be easily tackled as Alpha offers customized shapes for unique assembly challenges.

Alpha solder preforms technology is a great fit for EMP/EMI/ESD performance interconnection, and a selection of micro-preforms are available that allow even the smallest connector assembly interconnections possible. Alpha’s fuse technology integrated into their solder sleeves displays a comparable function as the thermochromic dyes. There is an outer fuse alloy ring that is integrated into the sleeve and melts at a specified temperature. The melting of this ring indicates that the solder joint has been exposed to the right amount of heat to create a reliable solder joint. Alpha’s eco-friendly products display equal-to or better than performance while continuing to behave like traditional cadmium and lead alloys. For more information regarding Alpha Exactalloy solder preforms for wire harness and cable assembly, please contact a Krayden Technical Representative.