Top Hats

A simple but effective method of holding down any number of components onto a PCB that is being wave soldered. The Top Hat is a one-piece board with spring loaded plungers or other hold-down devices, that hold loose components in place. Generally the types of components that are held down in this way are those:

  • That may be pushed upwards and displaced due to the pressure of the solder as it passes over the wave.
  • Components whose degree of vertical orientation, once soldered, is important.