Soldering Antenna Wire of Radio With IGBT High Frequency Induction Heaterย
Objective To heat a coaxial antenna assembly to 600ยฐF within 2 secondsย for a soldering application. The goal to improve on an existingย procedure with a soldering iron which required 10 to 15ย seconds.
Material .250โ diameter aluminum antenna assembly, aluminum ferrule,ย solder paste, temperature indicating paint
Temperature 600ยฐF
Frequency 333 kHz
Equipment DW-UHF-4.5kW power supply, remote heat station with oneย 1.2 ฮผF capacitor and a specially designed induction coil.
Process Initial tests were conducted with temperature indicating paint toย establish a heating profile and determine time-to-temperature.ย The solder paste was then applied to the antenna assemblyย and aluminum ferrule. RF power was applied for two secondsย to heat and flow the solder joint.
Results Consistent and repeatable results were achieved within theย required two-second time frame. A close examination of theย solder joint indicated that the solder flowed well and formed aย good, solid joint.
