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July 2009

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From:
"Kane, Joseph E (US SSA)" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Kane, Joseph E (US SSA)
Date:
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:30:14 -0400
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If our irons were failing, we would tighten up the testing frequency.  
But I probably should have mentioned that we've used Metcals for many 
years, have several hundred systems in use, and very rarely see a problem.

With these units, there is no separate ceramic heater.  The heating
element and the temperature sensing/control are built into the 
tip cartridge, and if there is any oxidation going on inside the cartridge, 
we haven't seen it.  When the cartridge wears out, it doesn't oscillate 
in temperature, or induce voltage spikes, or zoom in resistance.  Either
we lose the tip plating, or it just quits and stops heating.

Tip cartridges don't last more than a month or two, so they're often
replaced several times between tests.

Of course, this is a specific technology, and your mileage may vary.

-Joe 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stadem, Richard D. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 1:40 PM
To: TechNet E-Mail Forum; Kane, Joseph E (US SSA)
Subject: RE: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

What do you do if you find, for example, 5 stations that fail, say one off by as much as 75 degrees F, two for high resistance (100 ohms) between tip to ground, and two that tested 30 mv tip to ground? Do you go back and determine which of the CCAs may have been damaged by these 5 irons in the past 6 months? 
If you only test the irons every 6 months, why bother to test at all?
You could have been damaging components from the voltage present at the tip for 6 months before you discovered the issue.
It depends on what type of solder irons you are using. However, even the newest ones have the capability to damage components either from an induced current or from ESD. All three of these issues are usually related to an oxide buildup between the ceramic heater and the tip, and yes, this does occur even in Metcal-type tips. Never mind the certification letter they send with each one. That is only for calibration, and does not cover a defective station.
The limits you use are not too stringent; the frequency of testing is the issue I see.

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kane, Joseph E (US
SSA)
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

Every six months, we check:

Tip temperature variation +/- 5C
Tip-to-ground resistance 2 ohms max.
Tip-to-ground potential 2 millivolts max. 

These tests are based on an old mil spec, and while they are a little more stringent than J-1, our irons meet these limits, so we haven't seen the need to change.

-Joe


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Popp
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

We are attempting to establish a calibration/verification schedule for our hand-held soldering stations as recommended in the J-STD-001, Appendix B.

It states that frequency should be in line with manufacturer's recommendations.

I was curious if anyone else has a calibration/verification schedule established for their soldering irons, and if so, what frequency? What other controls, if any, do you apply?

Best Regards,
Jeff

Jeff Popp
Quality Assurance Technician
Compunetix
2420 Mosside Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 858-6184

[cid:[log in to unmask]]

"Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts." ~ Edward R Murrow


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