What makes soldering and desoldering stations stand out is their ability to operate with precision under controlled temperature conditions. That they are easy to use and maintain is an added advantage.
By Potshangbam July
Soldering and desoldering stations are important elements in electronics manufacturing
or rework. They have an edge over commonly used soldering irons or tools, as they effectively handle various complex tasks. Conventional soldering tools are not reliable or
accurate as they require manual intervention, which is error-prone. As PCBs and electronic components become more advanced, miniaturised and complicated, operator controlled
soldering tools fail to achieve the desired results.
Therefore, more refined and automated techniques are needed to assemble, troubleshoot,
repair and replace components and boards. Soldering and desoldering stations are being widely adopted today because they are efficient, have a range of applications, and meet the
requirements of complex electronics manufacturing.
Advantages of soldering and desoldering stations
Soldering and desoldering stations provide a host of advantages over the traditional soldering irons. Their biggest plus point is their flexibility, as they offer the soldering and desoldering functions in one compact unit, as well as temperature control, for more precision. They are able to deal with various types of projects, and are handier for larger ones.
Soldering and desoldering stations have better tip temperature control, because they are aided by a sensor. Otherwise, the excessive heat can damage the electronic components.
The stations also reduce the strain on operators, who would need to constantly keep an eye on or tweak the power controls if they use manual soldering irons, which is a tedious process. Besides, these stations minimise the oxidation rate by controlling the rising temperature of the soldering tips. The tips are prone to oxidation build-up as they
are made of a copper core covered with an iron plating. Iron is highly susceptible to rusting.
Soldering tips of the latest stations are able to last longer as the temperature hardly wavers erratically. Also, the new soldering and desoldering stations avoid the delay in data being shared between the sensor and tip by measuring the power at the solder joint. This prevents the possibility of an overshoot occurring.
Soldering and desoldering stations perform various functions, yet come with fewer buttons and nozzles. This makes them user friendly and avoids complicated operations. As the parts are smaller and the system more flexible, desoldering stations can efficiently clean or desolder wherever you want, with precision.
From the safety perspective, a password protected lock prevents intentional or accidental tampering with the set soldering temperature. The cables used in the station are flexible, thin and heat resistant, which makes it easier to handle for operators.
Last, the ‘sleep mode function’ enables operators to lower the temperature of the iron automatically in case it remains idle for more than 15 minutes. Therefore, there is minimum loss of energy, and this practice also extends the life of the tip.
Types of soldering stations Soldering stations are mainly categorised into two types—lead-free soldering stations and lead based stations. The difference in the soldering temperatures sets them apart. The soldering temperature for lead-free tin wire is as high as 250°C while the normal tin wire needs 180°C. Because a lead-free soldering station needs a higher soldering temperature, it heats up quickly, while lead based stations take longer to do so.
Lead-free soldering stations are more expensive, and as a result, demand for them is low in comparison with lead soldering stations. However, lead soldering is generally not recommended considering its harmful impact on the environment and human health. Lead easily dissolves in acid rain and contaminates groundwater. As a result, the use of lead-free soldering is now mandated by many countries across the world.
However, lead-free soldering also comes with a few problems. Lack of lead (Pb) in the solder makes it brittle and decreases its flexibility, resulting in poor quality of work. The high temperature affects the tips of the soldering irons, which may need to be replaced more frequently.
| Points to evaluate before buying a soldering station |
 Soldering is a process by which two metal items are joined together by melting, and a filler metal (solder) cements the joint. The filler metal has a lower melting point than the work piece. A quality solder joint allows for an electrical and a long-lasting mechanical connection which can only be achieved given the proper process temperature.
A soldering station should be able to deliver the following: In order to achieve the required parameters, there should be absolute clarity on the application requirements at the workplace. First, the station, along with its complete body till the tip, should be ESD safe. For added safety, the tip should be separately grounded to avoid any kind of discharge through the common ground to the PCB. This can be achieved by separately grounding the tip by positioning a 1 mega-Ohm resistor between the tip and the ground.
Overall, all the above points should be kept in mind while buying a |
What is new in the market?
Soldering and desoldering stations are transitioning from analogue to digital systems, making them more convenient and safe. They are now available with LED or LCD displays. They come with microcontroller based technology with no calibration required, and automatically adjust the temperature without any operator assistance. These stations are now electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe, and can be locked by password, control card or lock key. The disadvantage of analogue systems is their unreliability– a lower level of precision leads to overheating at the soldering tip as well as damage to the electronic components.
Soldering stations have evolved to incorporate many smart features. They are equipped with temperature sensors close to the heating element. Besides, better designs of dualchannel soldering stations enable the simultaneous operation of iron and tweezer tools. These are both included in the station, along with the main heating unit and two tool holders. What is interesting about this setup is the automatic recognition of the connected soldering tools and the uploading of corresponding parameter data. The activities of the tools are displayed on the main unit’s large digital LCD screen to ensure safe operation.
Unlike the conventional operator controlled soldering stations, a smart station has an inbuilt alarm feature. This alerts the user to check the soldering station if there are temperature differences between the value that was preset and the actual value. These days, soldering stations come with an option to program and save the two process temperatures that are used most often. Operators can set the temperatures according to their requirement, and operate the system automatically just by pressing the buttons. Besides, soldering stations now have self-diagnostic features that display various error messages when there is any breakdown or problem in the unit. If the display shows ‘S-E’, it indicates an error in the sensor or in some part of the sensor circuit. Similarly, ‘H-E’ indicates an error in the functioning of the heater.
