Introduction to Fixtures and Jigs in Laser Automated Welding

Introduction to Fixtures and Jigs in Laser Automated Welding

In the field of soldering, the main advantages of laser welding are: fast welding speed, deep penetration, and minimal deformation. It can also weld hard-to-reach areas and perform non-contact welding with great flexibility, making it one of the most important applications of laser material processing technology. With the development of automation technology, laser welding automation equipment has matured, and fixtures and jigs are essential for achieving automated laser welding.

Fixtures and Jigs: In laser soldering, a fixture generally refers to a category of tools including mechanical, electrical control, and some handcrafted tools, primarily serving as devices to assist in controlling position or motion (or both). Fixtures can be categorized into three types: process assembly fixtures, project testing fixtures, and PCB testing fixtures.

Classification of Fixtures 

Fixtures can be categorized into process assembly fixtures, project testing fixtures, and PCB testing fixtures.

Process assembly fixtures include:

• Assembly fixtures

• Welding fixtures

• Disassembly fixtures

• Dispensing fixtures

• Irradiation fixtures

• Adjustment fixtures

• Cutting fixtures

Project testing fixtures comprise:

• Life testing fixtures

• Packaging testing fixtures

• Environmental testing fixtures

• Optical testing fixtures

• Shielding testing fixtures

• Sound insulation testing fixtures

PCB testing fixtures mainly include:

• ICT (In-Circuit Test) fixtures

• FCT (Functional Circuit Test) fixtures

• SMT reflow oven fixtures

• BGA (Ball Grid Array) testing fixtures

 Classification of fixtures by usage characteristics :

   Universal general-purpose fixtures

Common examples include machine vises, chucks, suction cups, indexing heads, and rotary worktables. These fixtures offer extensive versatility and can readily adapt to changes in machining processes and workpiece variations. Their structures have been standardized, with dimensions and specifications serialized. Most of them have become standard machine tool accessories. 

Dedicated Fixture

Specifically designed and manufactured for the clamping requirements of a particular product component in a specific process. It features exclusive service to a single object with strong pertinence, and is generally designed by the product manufacturer.

Common types include:

• Lathe Fixtures (车床夹具)

• Milling Fixtures (铣床夹具)

• Drilling Jigs (钻模) - Machine fixtures designed to guide cutting tools (drills or      reamers) for hole-making operations

• Boring Jigs (镗模) - Machine fixtures used to guide boring bars for precision      hole boring

• Pallet Fixtures (随行夹具) - Mobile fixtures used in transfer lines of modular machine      tools

Adjustable  Fixture

A specialized fixture with replaceable or adjustable components to accommodate varying workpiece specifications.

Modular Fixture

A fixture assembled from standardized components of different shapes, specifications, and functions, particularly suitable for prototype development, small-batch production with frequent product changes, and temporary manufacturing tasks.

Terminology Note on Fixtures vs. Jigs
Currently, "fixture" (夹具) and "jig" (治具) are essentially synonymous in meaning, though "jig" carries a broader scope and represents an older terminology more commonly used in Japan. In China, "fixture" has become the predominant term. Workstation fixtures are the most widely used type in practice. Therefore, the distinction can be made as follows: simpler structures are typically called "jigs," while more complex workstation structures are referred to as "fixtures."

About Songsheng Optoelectronics
As a pioneer in China's laser soldering equipment field, Songsheng Optoelectronics has successfully developed specialized semiconductor constant-temperature monitoring welding heads, semiconductor lasers, and online infrared thermometers for laser soldering machines. Focusing on challenging soldering applications that are difficult with traditional methods - including camera modules, VCM voice coil motors, CCM modules, FPC flexible circuits, connectors, antennas, sensors, inductors, hard disk drive heads, speakers, optical communication components, thermistors, and photosensitive elements - the company has developed its Single-Focus Laser Constant-Temperature Soldering System. This system achieves localized non-contact heating through its small-diameter laser beam, offering significant advantages including non-contact operation, elimination of soldering iron tip replacements, and precise beam control with minimal spot size.

This system offers wide applicability, suitable for both inline production and standalone processing. Its key advantages include:

1. 1 Non-contact soldering – Eliminates mechanical stress damage and minimizes      thermal impact on sensitive components.

2. Multi-axis intelligent work platform (optional) – Adaptable to various complex and precision soldering      processes.

3. Coaxial CCD imaging & real-time monitoring – Provides clear soldering point visualization with      instant position correction, ensuring precision and automated production      quality.

4. Proprietary temperature feedback system – Enables direct control of solder joint temperature with      real-time thermal profile display, guaranteeing consistent soldering      yield.

5. Fully coaxial optical design –      Integrates laser, CCD, temperature measurement, and guiding light in one      axis, solving industry challenges of multi-optical alignment while      eliminating complex calibration.

6. High-precision micro-soldering –      Achieves 0.2mm minimum solder joint diameter with ultra-short processing      time per joint while maintaining 99% excellence rate.

7. Multi-axis positioning flexibility –      X/Y/Z-axis movement accommodates diverse component geometries for broader      application coverage.