This ESA-authorized training develops an understanding of the practical advantages obtained in the design and creation of surface mount technology applications.
The course has a practical approach including manual soldering as well as solder paste application methods with available reflow heat sources. The training complies with the ECSS-Q-ST-70-38 standard “High Reliability Soldering for Surface Mount and Mixed Technology”.
The training provides hands-on experience. All necessary tools and equipment are provided.
Training Objectives
- Learn and understand the requirements of the ECSS-Q-ST-70-38 standard.
- Develop skills necessary for effective positioning and manual soldering of surface-mounted components.
- Identify solder paste application methods and gain practical experience in precise dosing.
- Learn about a wide range of reflow heat sources and their impact on the soldering capability of surface mount applications.
- Demonstrate the advantages of surface mount technology.
Experience and Prerequisites
- Intended for Production Operators, Quality Assurance Engineers, and Design and Production Engineers.
- Non-holders of the ESA manual soldering certificate for ECSS-Q-ST-70-08 undergo training for 4½ days.
- Holders of the ESA manual soldering certificate for ECSS-Q-ST-70-08 undergo training for 3½ days.
- Visual acuity certificate in accordance with ESA STR 258 document.
Training Program
Day 1 (for non-certified participants in -70-08)
- Complete the student registration form
- Provide visual acuity test certificate
- Introduction and orientation, including safety, equipment, procedures, and break times
- Training presentation: what we will learn, how, why, and when
- Overview of specification structure: relevant ECSS standards; release status and how to access them
- ECSS-Q-70-08: overview of the entire standard
Day 2
- Points 1–4 above for newly arrived participants
Presentation of the ECSS-Q-70-38 standard; multiple-choice operator test:
- All students must achieve a minimum of 80% on 50 questions, open-book multiple-choice test (it will consist of a set of 25 questions selected from the 70-08 standard and a set of 25 questions selected from the 738 standard).
Day 3
- Syringe, sieve, or stencil
- Solder paste dosing
- Checking the infrared (IR) profile
- Solder paste reflow characteristics
- Printing
- Component positioning and reflow
- The effect of different conveyor speeds and different zone temperatures
- Hot air reflow soldering
- Component markings
- Selection of Metcal, Pace, and Weller tips
- Manual soldering of surface-mounted packages
Day 4
- Perform manual soldering exercises
- Review control slides
- Self-inspection of the PCB
Day 5
- Perform self-inspection of the PCB
- Check the self-inspection of the PCB with the Instructor
- Make corrections as required
- Cleaning and checking tools
- Certification
Certificate
- According to this document, upon successful completion of the training, a Category 2 Certificate approved by ESA will be awarded. Candidates already holding a valid Category 2 Inspector certificate will be eligible to receive a Category 2 certificate for this subject. Authorization is valid for two years (see note on 9-month extension under RECERTIFICATION below).
Duration
3½ days (plus ½ day if retake exams are required) or 4½ days (plus ½ day if retake exams are required) as specified above.
Recertification
To renew the certificate for another two years, attendance at 2 days of recertification training is required. The two-year period can be extended by up to 9 months if previous recertification sessions cannot be attended.