Advanced selective soldering solution boosts manufacturing efficiency

Datalink Electronics has partnered with Altus Group to incorporate a cutting-edge automated soldering solution, improving its production capabilities and reinforcing its strategic focus on quality, automation, and scalability.

The partnership sees Altus providing comprehensive support for the installation of the Inertec Cube 460 selective soldering system at Datalink Electronics.

Recognising the challenges facing UK CEMs, including rising labour costs and skilled operator shortages, the company used its technical expertise and comprehensive support network to guide Datalink through a thorough evaluation process. After assessing various selective soldering platforms and robotic options, Datalink selected the company as its trusted partner, citing the company's strong technical capabilities and reliable support infrastructure.

Under the leadership of Aran, business development director at Datalink, Datalink Electronics is focused on driving automation and process improvements to meet increasing demand while maintaining quality and service standards. Altus's solution directly supports these objectives through the deployment of the Inertec Cube 460 system – a compact, modular batch selective soldering platform designed for high-mix, low-to-medium volume production.

The system automates complex soldering tasks traditionally performed by skilled operators, featuring programmable soldering angles, quick-change nozzles, precise microdrop fluxing, advanced quartz pre-heating, and RT-Console software for offline programming, traceability, and real-time warpage correction. The Cube 460 supports leaded and lead-free soldering processes, ensuring flexibility across industries.

Shane Nooney, production engineer at Datalink Electronics, said: "What a good result! The support from both Altus and Inertec throughout this project has been excellent, and we can't fault the quality of the technical validation or the effort involved. Ultimately, the machine and its performance spoke for itself, but knowing we had a strong partner in place for after-installation support was a major factor in our decision."

Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group, said: "I'm really pleased with this project and delighted for the team at Datalink. We've been building a trusted relationship for some time and waiting for the right opportunity, and I'm very happy with how the process went, and of course, the end result. It's great to see another Inertec 460 out in the field; we're clearly building some real momentum."

The collaboration is expected to enhance Datalink's process control and throughput further, supporting their wider growth strategy, while reinforcing Altus's reputation as the go-to partner for advanced manufacturing solutions in the UK and Ireland electronics sector.