How to effectively reduce the cost of using solder paste?

To effectively reduce the cost of using solder paste, you can start from the following aspects:

I. choose the right solder paste products

Cost-effective considerations: When choosing a solder paste, do not blindly pursue the low price, but to ensure that the premise of welding quality, choose a cost-effective solder paste. This requires a full understanding and comparison of different brands and models of solder paste.

Manufacturer service: Consider the service quality of the solder paste manufacturer, including technical support, after-sales service and so on. High-quality manufacturer services can ensure that the problems encountered in the use of solder paste in the process of timely resolution, thereby reducing the increase in costs due to improper use or quality problems.

II. optimise the use of solder paste process

Precise control: By upgrading the soldering process, precise control of the solder joint position, reduce the omission and waste of solder paste. For example, solder paste printer settings can be optimised to ensure even distribution and accurate printing of solder paste.

Match the old with the new: When conditions permit, do not throw away old solder paste. New and old solder paste can be used together to make full use of the residual value of the old solder paste, so as to reduce the procurement cost of solder paste.

III. improve production efficiency and quality

Improve production quality: Improve the quality of the production process at the production site to reduce product errors, non-conforming products and rework, thereby reducing quality costs. This can be achieved by enhancing staff training, optimising production processes, etc.

Increase productivity: Increase productivity by optimising line configuration, applying advanced production techniques and equipment, etc., thereby reducing resource inputs, including solder paste usage, while maintaining the same output.

Reduce inventory: Implement balanced production lines, averaging all processes in production, adjusting workloads to achieve one flow of production, and reducing inventory to cut total costs. At the same time, to avoid excessive inventory backlogs lead to expiration or deterioration of solder paste.

IV. the storage and management of solder paste

Reasonable storage conditions: Store solder paste in a constant temperature and humidity environment to prevent flux evaporation, oxidation, and extend the shelf life of solder paste.

Ensure that the sealing of the solder paste storage container is good, reduce the contact area between the solder paste and air, reduce the oxidation rate.

First-in-first-out principle: Strictly follow the principle of first-in-first-out (FIFO), prioritise the use of solder paste purchased first to avoid waste caused by expiry of solder paste.

Inventory management: According to the production plan and actual use, reasonably control the inventory level of solder paste to avoid inventory backlog or shortage.

V. Strengthening on-site management

Shorten the production line: Shorten the length of the production line by optimising the layout of the production line and reducing unnecessary processes and personnel, so as to reduce the use of solder paste and labour costs.

Reduce machine downtime: Strengthen equipment maintenance and maintenance, reduce downtime caused by machine failure. At the same time, provide adequate training to operators to ensure that they are able to operate the equipment proficiently and reduce downtime due to human error.

Implement 5S management: Free up excess space, avoid wastage of space and increase effective utilisation by implementing 5S management (tidy, tidy, sweep, clean and squeaky clean). This helps to reduce storage and handling costs for raw materials such as solder paste.

VI. solder paste recycling and reuse

Solder Paste Recycling Methods: Recycling of unused solder paste from the printing process, such as collecting solder paste from stencils, squeegees and the cleaning process of printing equipment.

Specialised solder paste recycling units are used to collect residual solder paste for reuse.

Quality testing and reuse criteria: The recycled solder paste is tested for quality, including viscosity, metal composition content, flux activity, etc.

According to the test results, appropriate process adjustments are made to the recycled solder paste, such as increasing the printing pressure or slowing down the printing speed to ensure the printing quality.

Ensure that the recycled solder paste can meet specific soldering requirements, such as the soldering of non-critical electronic components or the soldering of test boards.

In summary

We can effectively reduce the cost of using solder paste by selecting the right solder paste products, optimising the process of using solder paste, improving productivity and quality reasonable storage and management of solder paste as well as recycling and reuse of solder paste. These measures not only help to save resources, but also improve the economic efficiency of enterprises and environmental protection.