Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

John L Wesbster

John E Hartman

Michael J McCoy

An electrical component (21) for mechanical mounting and electrical connection with respect to plated through holes (34) of a printed circuit board (20) compatibly with a surface mount attaching process includes an electrically non-conducting body (30), plural generally elongate contacts (31) extending from the body for insertion into such plated through holes (34), and the component (21) having a strip of solder type material (33) for melting, for flow into respective plated through holes, and for re-solidifying mechanically and electrically to couple the component to such printed circuit board. The strip preferably encircles the contacts and has reduced cross section portions between adjacent contacts. Preferably the component is a connector, such as a header, and the contact pins or leads thereof provide an interface connection between the printed circuit board and a separate or portable connector. A method for attaching such an electrical component (21) to a printed circuit board (20) compatibly with surface mount attaching processes and apparatus (70; 98; 99; 102; 114, 126) to carry out such method, and a method for making the component with solder (33) coupled to such electrical component.

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Painesville, OH, United States of America

John L Wesbster