Soldering 

As part of the CanSat competition, we have to wire up all the components ourselves.

This involves a process called soldering. The process of soldering involves melting a metal alloy over electronic components to join them together. 

Soldering is  cementing the components together to place them in the can so it is a very important process. Special soldering irons are needed for this process and unfortunately, we don’t have these irons in our school.

A local electronics manufacturing company, ON Semiconductor, offered us their facilities. So last week Chris and I went to their office and were met by Cathal O’Lionaird who gave us a tour of the building and brought us down to their lab. Cathal then gave Chris and myself a demonstration on how to solder and left us to it. 

It was a really interesting experience and was something we’d never done before. We then regrouped with Hugh and Tayyaba and explained everything we had learned. 

Special thanks to Cathal and ON Semiconductor! 

By Niall