Metcal Blog

When looking at performance for hand soldering in electronics manufacturing, Operations Engineers need to be very focused on three key metrics: time to temperature, dwell time and thermal recovery. These three metrics together will identify the best soldering product for the production line and will help maximize throughput and lower scrap in the process.

There are many different soldering tip designs to choose from when selecting or updating an iron. The different shapes have their own advantages, and some are most effective when used for a given application. Let's look at the most common types of solder tip designs and some solder tip basics. 

A soldering iron can be an indispensable tool for electronics use. A new or adequately cared for soldering iron is very efficient in its operation, allowing components to be quickly and easily soldered into place. But sometimes the soldering tip gets a buildup of oxidation on its surface. When this happens, the soldering iron no longer functions as it should. But with a little effort, the tool can be restored to complete functionality. Let's take a look at soldering tips and how to deal with oxidation.

When it comes to hand soldering tasks, the correct soldering iron is the best tool in your toolbox. Properly cleaned and cared for, a soldering iron can provide many hours of dependable service. The solder tip is the business end of a soldering iron, and it acts as the heat transfer component that melts the solder and heats the work, allowing everything to meld. For maximum life and continued efficiency, a solder tip should be adequately cared for and maintained. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your solder tips and cartridges.

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.

Solder tips represent a major part of the total cost of ownership for a soldering system. Your operator's choice of tip, use of a solder sleeper stand, and the method and frequency of tip cleaning and replacement all can play a part in your solder tip consumable costs.

Until the release of our CV-5210 power 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.