We produce small prototype runs here (seldom over 50 units) entirely by
hand, using Weller temperature-controlled irons, teensy tips, magnifying
lenses, and technicians with lots of experience.  All but the last can be
had from the Digikey catalog.  It can be done if you're careful and patient.

There are lots of board houses out there, but they usually want to produce
in larger lots.

If you need all 100 next week, you'd better hire someone to do it for you,
but if you're thinking cottage industry and will be moving the 100 over the
period of a year, you could just do it by hand.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Causey [SMTP:ffight@GEOCITIES.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, November 18, 1999 11:36 AM
> To:   PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject:      Re: Mass production PIC soldering
>
> I think that eventually we will be soldering to both sides. The size of
> the
> board is PC/104 compatible which is about 3.5" x 3.75". The ic types are
> soic versions of HCMOS 74XXX series devices with a smattering of PLCC 's
> and
> QFP's. The smallest pin spacings on the chips we will use is 25 mils.
> Thank you
> Keith Causey.
>
> > Are you soldering parts on one side, or both sides, of the PC board?  If
> > both, a Hot Air pencil, the "Wave" tip by Pace, or perhaps a really good
> > soldering iron, if only one side, also can do an oven (slow controlled
> > temperature curve, these are pricey unless you're up to making your own
> > controller for this.)
> >
> > Also can have someone with the proper gear do this for you, if you don't
> > want to spend lots of money to do this.
> >
> > There's a lot to be said for 63/37 solder IMO, it's a little pricier but
> > doesn't DO cold solder joints, basically, which is a GOOD thing.
> > Nothing wrong with 60/40, of course <G>
> >
> > I'm sure that more info on what SMT device packages, PCB size, etc.
> > would give us a better idea of how to do this "best", sounds like a hot
> > air pencil or the wave tip may be good for your situation (I doubt you
> > want to spend $1000ish ($10 per PC board) & go buy a Metcal "Talon", but
> > if you do & want rid of it after, I could use a used Talon rig when
> > you're done with it <G>)
> >
> >   Mark
> >
> > Keith Causey wrote:
> > >
> > > I am soldering SMT devices to a PC board. The pad spacing can be as
> small as
> > > 25 mils. The solder composition is 60/40.
> > >
> > > > Keith Causey wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hello all, I am working an a project that involves that involves
> medium
> > > > > scale (approx. 100 pieces) of an art piece (jewelry that moves)
> and
> I
> > > need a
> > > > > soldering iron that is suitable for such an endevour. Has anyone
> here
> > > had
> > > > > experience with such a project?
> > > > > Thanks in advance
> > > > > Keith Causey
> > > > > ffight@geocities.com
> > > >
> > > > What exactly do you need the soldering iron to DO that is unusual,
> > > > Keith?  That'd help people help you <G>  What are you soldering to
> > > > what?  60/40 solder, or silver solder, or ???
> > > >
> > > >   Mark
> >
> > --
> > I do small package shipping for small businesses, world-wide.