Why SEHO Selective Systems Are Changing the Way Manufacturers Solder Boards Using Through Hole Designs

While a lot of manufacturers are benefitting from board designs utilising surface mount technology (SMT), which allows them to implement the best automation that total line solutions can offer, some boards can only ever use Wave and Selective technologies.  This article looks at some of the best solutions on the market for Soldering Through hole boards from SEHO Selective systems and why some of the technology they’ve employed could be a game changer for manufacturers requiring Wave and / or Selective solutions.

Who are SEHO?

Founded in 1976, SEHO are world leaders in solder systems and throughout their journey have been awarded numerous accolades including the renowned Productronica Innovation Award in the category soldering technology.

SEHO Systems GmbH boasts worldwide presence with locations in the USA, South Korea, and China, in addition to their headquarters In Germany.  Find out more.

What Soldering Solutions do they offer?

StartSelective – Entry Level

The StartSelective is the perfect plug-and-produce selective soldering system for entry-level automated soldering, from simple operation to 100% offline programming that ensures maximum machine flexibility. With a footprint of only 2.5 m², the system offers the highest quality of soldering results and an exceptional return on investment.

SEHO have designed modular systems that allow the machines to be configured with dual heads for dual processing of the boards, helping to speed up the production process without compromising the quality of the soldered joints.

Designed with everything you need to get started including a preheat, fluxer and electromagnetic solder pot, as well as the option to integrate other optional extras including a camera.  Find out more.

 

 

SelectLine-C –   Award Winning Mid-Range Modular System

The SelectLine is ideal for growing organisations because the modular system can increase its capability as your organisations production grows.  The standard configuration consists of a base module and controller, and it can be retrofitted with additional features either from the factory or later.  Features include automated optical inspection (AOI), brush for reducing maintenance, gold nozzles for greater longevity.

The SelectLine can be run in a couple of modes:  Chaotic mode (Running board A and then B behind it and then C etc.) So, running one board and then another rather than batch building; Synchro mode – with two solder pots for greater speed i.e. one solder pot does one half of the board, and the other solder pot does the other half to increase throughput.  Find out more.

 

Power Selective – Powerful and Flexible for Transforming Any Production Environment

The Power Selective can be adapted to almost any manufacturing environment, whether as an inline or stand-alone solution. Three different soldering processes can be combined in just one system and subsequent process steps such as cooling, selective brushing and AOI can also be integrated. And all this on only 5.5 square meters.

Capable and ideal for high throughputs, the Power Selective can be designed to with a combination of / and or multiples of Wave and Selective processes for a multitude of board variations, whether designed with multiple electromagnetic solder pots for maximum efficiency, or a combination of solutions such as an electromagnetic solder pot and traditional wave or multi-wave, for complete flexibility.

Process up to five boards at a time where each board is going through a different process for ultimate focus on throughput.  Whether the board is going through the preheat, fluxing, soldering, and AOI, the PowerSelective can be designed around your production needs.  Find out more.

SEHO design and manufacture their soldering solutions in Germany and the offering consists of both Wave and Selective solutions for soldering which range can be utilised or inline production or standalone including:

Greater flexibility – high-mix, high volume.  SEHO soldering systems are designed to increase efficiencies as well as provide greater flexibility, allowing users to configure the systems for providing multiple processes.  For example, the PowerSelective solution can incorporate multiple mini-wave solders for those small joins, multiple nozzles for shortening the cycle times, as well as a wave solution all in one machine!

Minimising maintenance and downtime – crucial for wave and selective solutions because maintenance tends to be more a costly and time-consuming process compared to reflow.   However, SEHO spend a lot of time investing in their R&D and so deliver systems designed to clean at regular intervals, so that it doesn’t impact production but helps to prevent build-up of solder deposits.  For example, the PowerSelective is designed with an integrated brushing process for automatic removal of solder balls.  It can be mounted as a stationary feature or on a separate axis so that it doesn’t impact cycle time.

 

What makes SEHO’s Soldering Solutions Unique?

The SEHO systems are designed with a range of technological advances patented and unique.  One important feature which can ensure repeatable quality AND improve cycle times is the integrated automated optical inspection (AOI) system.  Similar to the brushing the process, the AOI can be stationary mounted in the production cell, installed on a separate access so there is no impact on cycle time.

In addition to the option of integrating an AOI system, the SEHO wave oven also benefits from an electromagnetic pot in the wave systems.  Typically, a cleaner process requiring less maintenance the electromagnetic pump can provide less downtime.  However, the SEHO soldering system does also provide the flexibility to integrate both the electromagnetic pump and belt driven system, so users have the flexibility to utilise the electromagnetic pump and where required, benefit from the traditional functionality of the wave.

What do others say about the SEHO soldering solutions?

Siemens AG in Karlsruhe, Germany manufactures about 24,000 different products on the site, and they have invested in a SelectLine with a PowerSelective system plus assembly workstations and automatic handling systems from the SEHO Streamline range.

The system is equipped with two electromagnetic solder units with different soldering nozzle sizes to accommodate a wide range of different soldering geometries without re-tooling.

PCBs which are soldered exclusively on SelectLine systems are passed through a separating station and are automatically returned to the assembly workstations. All the other PCBs are automatically passed to a PowerSelective system for further processing. PowerSelective systems are also equipped with a mini-wave soldering unit and they have a conventional soldering wave as a special feature.

“Our experience has shown that cyclical ultrasonic cleaning significantly improves the service life. With SelectLine nozzles, we have an average service life of approximately 2 months – typically we would get just a few days with other comparable systems,” says Josef Kühn. “The extended service life obviously has a positive impact on process reliability, and the automated nature of the ultrasonic cleaning process reduces the workload for the system operator.”

Josef Kühn, Technology Planning, Siemens AG in Karlsruhe Germany

Is There Support and Maintenance for SEHO Solutions in Australia and New Zealand?

SEHO has been operating in Germany since the 1970s and their solutions are the quality build you expect from a German Manufacturer with excellent attention to details and quality of the finish.  This means you can expect very good longevity from a SEHO solution.  Hawker Richardson have recently sold another SEHO solution to a contract manufacturer who are still running their SEHO they purchased twenty-five years ago.  Investing in a good quality product over cheaper alternatives pays back in the long run.

Hawker Richardson keeps a large range of spares in their warehouse and with a large, dedicated service team, they can support customers with both repairs and maintenance anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.  The systems can also be accessed remotely so initial support can be provided quickly to minimise downtime.

Hawker Richardson is the authorised distributor for SEHO Systems GmbH in Australasia.