Miniaturisation drives nitrogen need in reflow process

With nitrogen generators, companies can ensure a more stable, repeatable process that increases product reliability and overall yield.

The trend toward miniaturisation, particularly in sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive, and medical devices, has introduced new challenges in the reflow process. As components and circuit boards become smaller and more intricate, maintaining a controlled atmosphere during soldering is critical to ensure product quality. Nitrogen, an inert gas, displaces oxygen during the soldering process, reducing oxidation and enabling a cleaner, more consistent finish.

In a recent interview, Jim Vaccaro, Industrial Sales Manager at South-Tek Systems explained the pivotal role that nitrogen plays in overcoming these challenges. “The reflow process is highly sensitive to oxidation, especially with today’s complex and miniaturised components,” explained Vaccaro. “By incorporating nitrogen, we reduce the potential for oxidation during soldering, which not only improves the overall quality of the solder joints but also ensures the longevity and performance of the final product.”

South-Tek Systems' nitrogen generators provide an in-house, on-demand solution, eliminating the need for expensive nitrogen deliveries and ensuring a constant supply of high-purity nitrogen for production. This results in a more sustainable process with reduced transportation emissions and lower operational costs over time. The controlled environment nitrogen creates during reflow soldering improves process repeatability, leading to higher yields and fewer defects, which is especially important as components become smaller and more sensitive to environmental factors.

“Nitrogen generators also offer significant sustainability benefits,” Vaccaro continued. “By generating nitrogen on-premise, manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on external suppliers, contributing to a greener, more self-sufficient production process.”

As the miniaturisation trend continues, South-Tek Systems is committed to helping manufacturers stay ahead of the curve with reliable nitrogen generation systems. By providing stable, repeatable conditions for soldering, South-Tek’s nitrogen generators ensure that manufacturers can maintain high levels of quality and reliability, even as production requirements evolve.