Patent ID: 8528804

Claim:
Apparatus for use in determining solderability of an electrical component, comprising: a vacuum chamber; a load sensor comprising a downwardly projecting wetting force measuring pin and a contact portion, the contact portion being disposed within the vacuum chamber at a tip of the downwardly projecting wetting force measuring pin; a platform disposed within the vacuum chamber in relation to the contact portion and having an upward facing component mounting surface and a mounting member, the electrical component secured to the upward facing component mounting surface by the mounting member; and a control module providing relative movement between the platform and the load sensor to bring a contact surface of the electrical component into close proximity with the contact portion of the load sensor, wherein the control module is configured to cause solder to be applied to the contact portion of the load sensor, wherein the control module is further configured to bring the solder into contact with the contact surface of the electrical component, and wherein the load sensor measures force arising from wetting of the solder to the contact surface of the electrical component.