MELT (National Electronics Society of Hungary) has now presented its hand soldering competition for high schools for the fifth time. The goal of the competition is to help students better understand soldering as a fundamental technology in electronics manufacturing, to increase their interest in soldering, and to bring them in closer connection to the electronics industry. The Innoelectro exhibition and conference consider highly importance to introduce the electronics industry to the future generation. What would be better occasion for this than the region’s premier professional event?
This year's art project was created in honor of the upcoming Mother's Day (it is the first Sunday of May in Hungary). Everyone can give their finished artwork to his or her mother as a gift.
When the assembly work properly, the red SMD LEDs around the edge of the heart flash in a heartbeat-like pattern, while five yellow THT LEDs in the center — like a flower — are steadily on.
The competition consisted of two parts: First, the competitors had to complete a 12-question theory test in 10 minutes. The questions related to hand soldering and basics of soldering. Then they had to solder an printing circuit board assembly consisting of through-hole and surface-mount components.
The soldering job had to be completed within 30 minutes. Those who could not finish completely were allowed to take the rest components away to complete the assembly at home.
The students’ results were evaluated not only individually but also as a team, provided for those schools entered at least three students for the competition. This year, 25 schools met this requirement.
The assemblies were inspected in accordance with the Class 3 acceptance criteria of IPC-A610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) standard, — the most widely and frequently used standard in the electronics industry — thereby helping future professionals to become familiar with it, and to produce proper quality products once they have completed their studies.
The evaluation of the completed circuit boards was conducted under the guidance of Zsolt Kovács, a certified IPC trainer, electrical engineer, and an employee of Microsolder Kft., and based on a 20-point checklist. The competitors could also see the image projected onto a screen from the microscope, and they discussed the defects found, their causes, and ways to avoid them. The maximum possible score was 1,150 points, including the 120 points available from the theoretical test.
Awards were presented to the top performers:
- 1st Place: Kámán Tamás Szabó, Mechanics and Electronics Technology High School, Komarno, Slovakia, 1050 points,
- 2nd Place: Sámuel Udvardi, Mechatronics High School, Budapest, 1035 points,
- 3rd Place: Sándor Birkás, Pálfy Water Technology High School, Szolnok, 1025 points
- based on the average of individual scores of their contestants the best school team: Mechanics and Electronics Technology High School, Komarno, Slovakia, 910 points,
- the competitor who produced the best soldering job (based on solder joints, precision of component placement, and cleanliness): Áron Barnabás Balogh, Ágoston Trefort Two Teaching Language Technical High School, Budapest
- a special prize for the youngest contestant who achieved the highest score: Attila Szabó, Pál Beregszászi Technical High School, Debrecen, 1000 points
Special thanks for the sponsors of the competitions who make possible to organize and run the competition on a really high level:
