--- title: Metcal Blog | Soldering, Desoldering, Electronics Rework Applications, News, Tips and Trends | Robert Roush description: Robert is a Metcal Product Manager. He has been working with soldering applications for over 10 years. --- [![Large Metcal Logo Horizontal Yellow and White_RGB](https://info.techcon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Metcal/Large%20Metcal%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Yellow%20and%20White_RGB.png?width=250&height=34&name=Large%20Metcal%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Yellow%20and%20White_RGB.png "Large Metcal Logo Horizontal Yellow and White_RGB")](http://www.metcal.com) - [Home](https://www.metcal.com) - [Products](https://store.metcal.com/en-us/) - [Applications](https://store.metcal.com/en-us/) - [Web Store](https://store.metcal.com/en-us/) - [Resources](https://www.metcal.com/resources/) - [News & Events](https://www.metcal.com/news/) - [Blog](https://www.metcal.com/blog/) - [Contact Us](https://www.metcal.com/contact-us/) [![metcal-blog-header-bg.jpg](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Metcal/metcal-blog-header-bg.jpg "metcal-blog-header-bg.jpg")](http://blog.okinternational.com/metcal) # Metcal Blog ## Robert Roush ![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Robert%20Roush%20Photo-560996-edited.jpg) Robert is a Metcal Product Manager. He has been working with soldering applications for over 10 years. ## Recent Posts ## [Solder Joint Panel with SMT Magazine](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/smt-magazine-solder-joint-formation) By [Robert Roush](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/robert-roush) on Oct 31, 2017 7:25:21 AM Our own Robert Roush recently joined a panel on the challenges of proper solder joints with Indium Corporation’s Brook Sandy-Smith, technical support engineer, Andrew Nunenkamp, director of engineering at MC Assembly, and Vince Burns, quality engineer and an IPC Certified Trainer. Topics: [Soldering Station](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-station) [High Thermal Demand Soldering](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/high-thermal-demand-soldering) [solder tips](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/solder-tips) [Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/smt-magazine-solder-joint-formation) ## [How Connection Validation Works](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-connection-validation-works) By [Robert Roush](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/robert-roush) on Oct 10, 2017 10:51:05 AM [![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/October/How%20CV%20Works%20Image.png)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-connection-validation-works) Metcal's exciting and innovative [Connection Validation](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/connection-validation-short-video) product has been a big hit, winning [four awards](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/metcal-wins-em-best-of-industry-award) to date. We've received questions from around the world, looking for a little more detail about how the process works. The infographic below helps explain. Topics: [Connection Validation](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/connection-validation) [Smartheat](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/smartheat) [process control](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/process-control) [Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-connection-validation-works) ## [How Metcal's NEW Solder Tip Temperature Display Works](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-metcals-new-solder-tip-temperature-display-works) By [Robert Roush](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/robert-roush) on Sep 8, 2017 2:06:13 PM [![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/September/tip%20temperature%20display.jpg)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-metcals-new-solder-tip-temperature-display-works) Until the release of our [CV-5210 power station](http://www.okinternational.com/CV-5210-Connection-Validation-Soldering-Station), Metcal soldering stations have not featured a tip temperature display. Many customers, especially Contract Manufacturers have lamented this, because of their need to provide documentation and support for their customers and ISO or other process control requirements. Topics: [Soldering Station](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-station) [solder cartridges](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/solder-cartridges) [solder tips](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/solder-tips) [Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/how-metcals-new-solder-tip-temperature-display-works) ## [Why You Should Use a Soldering Sleeper Stand](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand) By [Robert Roush](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/robert-roush) on Sep 20, 2016 2:27:31 PM [![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/MX5200.png)](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand) Solder tip life is a constant discussion among users of hand soldering for almost all applications. Whether you're in production, rework, or R&D, the cost of tips and their longevity impacts the ROI of your overall soldering investment.  While operators almost always want the tip to be hot, hot, hot, and all the time, using a [soldering iron sleep stand](http://www.okinternational.com/hand-soldering-systems/id-WS1/Solder_Workstand_wAuto_Sleep) can significantly improve the life of your solder tips. When used when the handpiece is idle, a Solder Sleep Stand automatically reduces the power supplied to the hand piece, leading to: - Reduced idle temperatures - Slower chemical reactions - Less inter-metallic formation - Less de-wetting - Longer tip life Take a look at this chart that illustrates the effect of using the sleeper stand for just a few minutes.        You can see how this can significantly reduce the power consumption as well, meaning for a production environment, it can affect your total ROI. **Theoretical Example:** If you have 5 soldering irons each in production using on average 40 watts per hour over an 8 hours day your consumption is: Topics: [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) [Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand) [All posts](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Metcal News (25)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/metcal-news) - 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Offering unrivalled performance, risk mitigation, and ROI, we give electronics manufacturers the tools—and the confidence—they need to develop faster, safer, more advanced products. Metcal’s track record of innovation is legendary. With SmartHeat® and now with Connection Validation™—both industry firsts—Metcal breakthroughs have empowered our global electronics assembly customers in the automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and military sectors. And today, we’re accelerating the pace of global innovation even further, forging developments in hand soldering, convection rework, fume extraction, and fluid dispensing. #### More Links - [Home](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/home) - [Products](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products) - [Resources](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/resources) - [News & Events](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/news--events) #### Contact Us \[fa icon="phone"\]  1-714-799-9910 \[fa icon="envelope"\]  marketing@metcal.com \[fa icon="home"\]  10800 Valley View Street, Cypress CA ## [\[fa icon="facebook-square"\]](https://www.facebook.com/MetcalSoldering/) [\[fa icon="linkedin-square"\]](https://www.linkedin.com/company/metcal/) [\[fa icon="twitter-square"\]](https://twitter.com/metcalsoldering) Copyright 2026 [Metcal | Techcon | OK International, Inc., a Dover Company](http://www.okinternational.com/). 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