Recent improvements of the Kloften & Kloften

Carrier Strip Splicer.

Issue No. 4. December 18, 1992

The following improvements have been made since our third "list of improvements" of April 24, 1992 was issued.

1. Elimination of protrusion at the edge of the carrier strip (or tape).

The splicer has (sine 1987) been equipped with a "retraction" feature which was designed to pulls the solder strip (or wire) to the rear as it melts from the soldering heat. Since the heat is maintained for a certain time after the solder has started melting - to give it time to flow properly - it was necessary to retract the solder before the heat was turned off.

To select the proper time for the retraction was, however, difficult, and different settings might be required for different carrier strips.

A patent has now been allowed for a feature which will eliminate this adjustment requirement.

Rather than pulling the solder back (by reversing the step motor feeding the solder), a spring loaded device mounted on the motor shaft will instead exert tension in the solder when the motor reverses. The tension is strong enough to pull the solder free when the solder has weakened somewhat, but before it actually melt.

This feature may easily be retro-fitted to existing machines, without the need for tools, other than an Allen wrench which is included in the available kit.

2. Improved Tungsten electrodes.

The use of the standard 1.6 mm Tungsten electrode is limited to very narrow carrier strips and the use of solder in strip form.

A special shape of the tip of the electrode now makes it possible to use electrodes of a larger diameter without the need for increasing the heating current. This means that wider carrier strips may be spliced with this longer lasting type of electrode. It also means that solder in wire form may be used, since the larger surface area of the electrode permits the "gap" between carrier ends which is required when using wire.

An adapter is available with the new electrode which will allow it to be used in the standard electrode holder.