How to Choose Selective Soldering Nozzles for Your Production Line

Choosing the right selective soldering nozzle is critical for achieving consistent solder joint quality, minimizing defects, and keeping your SMT production line running efficiently. This guide covers the key factors you need to consider when selecting a nozzle for your selective soldering machine.

Key Takeaways

**Match the base type first** — B14.1/B22 or B16.1/B36 must match your solder pot exactly

**ID/AD dimensions determine solder contact width** — smaller ID for fine-pitch, larger for connectors

**Nozzle height must accommodate your PCB and fixture** — H=47 is most common

**Standard vs. Cross vs. Special** — choose based on your PCB layout requirements

**Custom nozzles available** — when standard sizes cannot meet your needs

1. Identify Your Machine and Solder Pot

Every selective soldering nozzle must match the solder pot or base type of your machine. For Ersa selective soldering systems, the most common base types are:

**B14.1 / B22** — Used in older VERSAFLOW and ECOSELECT machines. B14.1 is the legacy designation; B22 is the current designation for the same base type.

**B16.1 / B36** — Used in newer Ersa platforms. B16.1 is the legacy designation; B36 is the current designation.

For other brands:

**Pillarhouse** — Uses its own base designations (NJ, P, R series)

**Nordson / ACE** — Specific base configurations per machine model

**SEHO** — Proprietary nozzle mount designs

**KOKI** — Unique nozzle interface per model

Before ordering a nozzle, check your machine's solder pot type. The nozzle base must match exactly, or the nozzle will not seat properly and solder flow will be unstable.

Machine BrandCommon Base TypesNotes

|---|---|---|

ErsaB14.1/B22, B16.1/B36Legacy vs. current naming PillarhouseNJ, P, R seriesMultiple base designs Nordson/ACEVariousCheck model-specific SEHOVariousModel-specific mounts KOKIVariousModel-specific mounts

2. Determine the Nozzle ID and AD Dimensions

The nozzle dimensions are expressed as **ID/AD**:

**ID (Inner Diameter)** — The opening at the nozzle tip where the solder wave emerges. This determines the width of the solder contact area on the PCB.

**AD (Outer Diameter)** — The outer dimension of the nozzle tip. This affects how closely the nozzle can approach adjacent components.

Common ID/AD combinations for Ersa B14.1/B22 nozzles:

ID/ADTypical ApplicationPart Number Example

|---|---|---|

1.8/2.5Fine-pitch ICs, small pads175060 2.5/4.0Small through-hole components119890 3.0/6.0Standard selective solder joints114609 4.0/8.0Medium pads and connectors114611 6.0/10.0Large pads, power connectors114613 8.0/12.0Wide connectors, bus bars118615 10.0/14.0Extra-wide solder connections119274 12.0/16.0Very large pads208094

For fine-pitch components, choose a smaller ID (e.g. 1.8/2.5 or 2.5/4.0). For larger pads or through-hole connectors, choose a wider ID (e.g. 10.0/14.0 or larger).

3. Select the Correct Nozzle Height

Nozzle height (H value) determines how far the solder wave extends above the solder pot surface. The height must match your PCB thickness, component stand-off, and fixture design.

Available heights for Ersa B14.1/B22 nozzles:

HeightApplicationAvailable ID/AD Sizes

|---|---|---|

H=47Standard, most widely used1.8/2.5 to 31.0/35.0 H=52Medium, specific requirements3.0/6.0, 4.0/8.0 H=57Thicker boards2.5/5.0 to 10.0/14.0 H=62Custom fixture heights2.0/4.5 to 8.0/12.0 H=75Extended, tall components2.4/5.0 to 10.0/14.0 H=80Deep wells, large stand-offs3.0/6.0 to 10.0/14.0 H=85Maximum standard extension2.6/5.6 to 6.0/10.0 H=90Extreme height requirements4.0/8.0, 6.0/10.0, 8.0/12.0

4. Choose Standard, Cross or Special Nozzle Type

**Standard nozzle** — Straight ID/AD, the most common type for general selective soldering. 90+ configurations available for B14.1/B22.

**Cross nozzle** — Wider AD relative to ID, used for soldering large pads while keeping the solder wave focused. 10 cross configurations available.

**Special nozzle** — Custom dimensions for unusual PCB layouts or specific application requirements. 10 special configurations with unique ID/AD combinations.

If your standard nozzle cannot reach all target pads due to component density, consider a cross nozzle or a special nozzle designed for your specific board layout.

5. Check Compatibility and Condition

When ordering replacement nozzles, verify:

The nozzle is **compatible** with your machine's solder pot type

The **base type** matches your solder pot (B14.1/B22, B16.1/B36, etc.)

The supplier can provide **custom sizes** if your application requires non-standard dimensions

All products are aftermarket compatible replacement parts, not original or original-equipment

6. Consider Custom Nozzle Options

If your production line has unique requirements that standard nozzles cannot meet, custom nozzles manufactured from your drawings, samples, or old nozzle dimensions can provide an exact solution. A reliable supplier should be able to:

Match dimensions from an old or worn nozzle

Produce nozzles from engineering drawings

Create nozzles based on PCB layout specifications

Provide rapid prototyping for new designs

See our [Custom Nozzles Guide](/technical-guides/custom-selective-soldering-nozzles-by-drawing-or-sample) for detailed ordering instructions.

Related Products

[B14.1/B22 Nozzles](/products/b14-1-b22-nozzles) — 90+ standard and cross configurations

[B16.1/B36 Nozzles](/products/b16-1-b36-nozzles) — 18 configurations for newer Ersa machines

[Special Nozzles](/products/special-nozzles) — 10 unique configurations

[Nozzle Maintenance Guide](/technical-guides/how-to-clean-wettable-selective-soldering-nozzles) — Process-focused cleaning guidance

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