Soldering Tip: Tunnel Shape (SMD)

How to use SMD Tunnel Shape + Examples

Tunnel Quad Tip

There are 3 types of SMD Rework Tips: Quad, Tunnel and Spatula.

The tunnel type is capable of heating multiple pins or lead wires at once and is used for rework of SMDs, mainly for the removal of Small Outline Packages (SOP).

How to remove SOP

  1. Apply flux to the leads
  2. Place the tunnel tip over the SOP to warm the joints.
  3. Allow the solder to melt, releasing the SOP
  4. Remove it using a pick up tool/vacuum etc

Tips for removing SOP

SMD Tunnel Shape - Selecting Size

Selecting Tunnel Tip Size

Select the head not by the number of pins but by the package size [length x width x height] including legs.
SMD Tunnel Shape - Applying Solder

Applying Solder

Applying sufficient solder to the tip ends makes removing the component easier.
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