{"id":10558,"date":"2021-05-04T02:17:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T02:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nswautomation.com\/NSW\/?p=10558"},"modified":"2025-03-14T17:57:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T09:57:41","slug":"prevent-solder-paste-dispensing-clog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nswautomation.com\/NSW\/prevent-solder-paste-dispensing-clog\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Solder Paste Dispensing Clog Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"
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[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1581059162182{margin-top: -55px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-md-9″ css=”.vc_custom_1556187883093{border-right-width: 1px !important;border-right-color: #e5e5e5 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;}”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:35|text_align:left|line_height:1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1741946257680{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”text-events”]Author:<\/strong> Wenjay Tew Wen Kiat,\u00a0 Last update on March 14, 2025, Prepared by the NSW Automation Marketing Team <\/em><\/span>[\/vc_column_text]

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<\/div>[vc_single_image image=”10728″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Best Practice and Tips to Prevent Solder Paste Dispensing Clogging issues.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator align=”align_left”]
<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620266941010{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”sep-post”]How do you prevent solder paste dispensing clog, blockage or choke? As the dispensing industry continues to grow, there has been a demand for intelligent, innovative new ideas to make dispensing easier. However, one of the major problems with solder paste dispensing is clogged or jammed dispensing valves. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620280792529{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”sep-post”]Adhesive dispensing systems<\/a> constantly process dispensing applications<\/a> with fluids like solder paste<\/a>, epoxies, and other types of adhesives. When dealing with such materials and maintaining control of repeatable, accurate, and measurable results, it is essential to upkeep your dispensing systems properly to avoid potential clog problems. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620266894024{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”sep-post”]What are the top issues that dispensing equipment operators usually deal with? Here are some situations we often hear from industry players. You may be familiar with some of these issues too: <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1594976539054{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”text-events”]<\/p>\n

<\/b>1. Loss of Yield and Unwanted Downtime Due to Clogged Nozzles<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Under normal conditions, a dispensing valve<\/a> can handle a wide range of viscosities, but if the viscosity increases past a certain threshold, the valve tends to clog. Not only is it an inconvenient hassle, but operators also need to spend time to change and clean the clogged nozzle. The whole operation is halted as you need to set up the machine to re-run the process again. Such downtime can hamper your efficiency and production.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”text-events”]<\/p>\n

2. Clog Time Can Be Tiresome and Costly<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

What are other losses besides production efficiency and volume of output? You would also spend unnecessarily on replacement nozzles to gain optimized results. You cannot rely on a clogged nozzle for optimum yield. Not only that, but you also waste solder paste during the removal of material and cleaning process. It disrupts work cycles to clean the nozzle and valves so that work can continue.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”text-events”]<\/p>\n

3. Product Failure Due to Inconsistency <\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

The last thing you would want to encounter a batch of products that are unsalable to the market. Tiny issues like clogged valves lead to big output problems causing product output to drop. It significantly lowers your UPH (Unit Per-Hour) productivity and quality output of your dispense operations, causing you to redo batches and productivity interruptions.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nA clogged dispensing valve is a problem because it can cause the dispensing of a product to stop, which can be both frustrating and expensive.\u00a0 <\/span>You certainly do not want to face such pointless downtime and potentially costly repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nSo how to prevent dispensing clogging? To prevent fluid dispensing clogging problems, here are some of our before, during, and after best practices to help prevent dispensing clogging in your operations.
\n<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10725″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1620377298761{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”What to Do Before Dispensing to Prevent Blockages and Clogging?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator align=”align_left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620279758879{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”sep-post”]For optimum dispensing outputs, it is best to prepare and check on certain conditions before you start. Here are some situations that you might want to take note of to prevent solder paste dispensing clog. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

1. Use Dispensing Grade Solder Paste.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”text-events”]For best performance, use dispensing grade solder paste for dispensing process. Using non-dispensing grade solder pastes (like for stencil printing and reusing unused paste from other processes) may seem like a good idea to save cost, but however its quality may be questionable and may cause more harm than good. One of the major setbacks is inconsistency. This is due to tiny micro bubbles that jams up your nozzle<\/span> – hindering smooth quality prints.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10572″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1620200864678{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

2. Storage Climate Stability.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”text-events”]Store fluid materials like solder paste at the proper temperature according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is best practice to store your materials in a cool room of <15 \u00b0C\/ 59 \u00b0F or according to the recommended manufacturer’s advice.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

3. Place the Solder Paste in a Tip-down Position. <\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”text-events”]This placement avoids separation between flux and solder ball.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10569″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1620201351601{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

4. Take Note of the Expiry Date of your Materials.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”text-events”]Surprisingly, many operators tend to overlook this vital factor. Expired material may have dried by the time you use it, causing unwanted clogging.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1px” css=”.vc_custom_1620270883789{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

5. Pair the Right Nozzle to Solder Paste Type. \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”text-events”]It is essential to pair the right nozzle according to the specific dispensing requirements. It is recommended to use type 5 solder paste and above for general dispensing. Solder paste types depend on the dispensing size requirements. (Refer below \u201cChart Figure 1.0\u201d to understand more.)<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”50px” css=”.vc_custom_1620271722026{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_zigzag][vc_custom_heading text=”Best Practices During Dispensing to Avoid Clogging Issues.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator align=”align_left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620267854938{padding-top: 10px !important;}” el_class=”sep-post”]Now that we have covered what you can do during pre-dispensing, you have already prepared yourself for smooth dispensing. However, this does not mean that clogging will not happen after knowing what to do during the pre-dispensing period.\u00a0Here are some of our recommended best practices are during the dispensing process to follow to ensure optimum no-clogging dispensing.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

1. Nozzle Inner Diameter (ID)<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Make sure to use nozzle ID that is at least 5x the solder particle size. Here is a chart below for your easy reference.<\/p>\n

Note: Clogging issues might occur if you use smaller than recommended nozzle sizes. For accurate details please consult your dispensing nozzle manufacturer.<\/span><\/em>[\/vc_column_text]\n

\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n wdt_ID<\/th> Type<\/th> Range (max-min)<\/th> Recommended Nozzle Size<\/th> Dispensed Size Range<\/th> <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n \n \n\n\n
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1<\/td>\n Type 5<\/td>\n 25\u201310 \u03bcm<\/td>\n 125 \u03bcm above <\/td>\n 150-200 \u03bcm<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\n Type 6<\/td>\n 15\u20135 \u03bcm<\/td>\n 80 \u03bcm above <\/td>\n 80-150 \u03bcm<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\n Type 7<\/td>\n 11\u20132 \u03bcm<\/td>\n 50 \u03bcm above <\/td>\n Below 80 \u03bcm<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\n Type 8<\/td>\n 8\u20132 \u03bcm<\/td>\n 50 \u03bcm above<\/td>\n Below 50 \u03bcm<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody> \n\n \n \n \n <\/table>\n\n<\/div>