The electronic circuits of modern technology are made of miniature parts, most of which are represented by SMD components and integrated circuits. A conventional soldering iron is not suitable for repairing and installing such elements. In addition, many printed circuit boards have a multilayer structure, which complicates the heating of individual leads and requires maintaining a stable temperature of the soldering iron tip.
Scope of soldering stations
To work with such schemes, electric soldering irons with stabilization of the heating temperature of the working element were created. Modern models of soldering irons are equipped with integrated temperature sensors and temperature control devices that are built into the station or removed outside its limits in the form of separate blocks. Soldering and dismantling of multi-pin radio elements in most cases are carried out with simultaneous and stable heating of all the terminals, which cannot be achieved with a conventional soldering iron.
The choice of a soldering station depends on the experience with similar equipment and the field of its application.
Types of soldering stations
Soldering stations are divided into three main categories:
- Contact. The findings of the radio elements are heated with a soldering iron with the ability to adjust and stabilize the temperature of the working element. Used for mounting radio components and SMD components with wire leads.
- Non-contact. The working element is heated by an infrared emitter or a stream of hot air. Designed for dismantling multi-pin parts. The choice of a hot air soldering station also allows soldering of lead-free parts like BGA.
- Combined. Stations combining the characteristics of both of these types.
According to the principle of adjustment, soldering stations are divided into two types:
- Analogue The simplest models equipped with discrete temperature control. The heating element turns off after heating the tip to the desired temperature. This control principle provides a low cost station. Analog models are characterized by poor stabilization of heating and inertia of temperature control.
- Digital A microcontroller is integrated in the station, regulating the power and temperature of the soldering iron tip. The lower the temperature, the more voltage is supplied to the heating element of the station. Their inertia is better than that of analog models, moreover, the temperature adjustment is carried out more accurately.
The choice of a high power soldering station for the house is justified, since the main criterion in the work is the temperature and the tip and its stabilization. Devices of increased power cope with these requirements at times.
Types of heating elements of soldering stations
The stinger of the boot is heated in one of three ways:
- The classic version is a high resistance heating element. It is made of a nichrome heat-resistant wire wound through an insulating gasket on a soldering iron tip. A temperature sensor is attached next to it. They have low reliability and high inertia.
- One of the varieties of the classical method is ceramic heaters. A temperature sensor and a heating element are integrated into the ceramic layer. It has high reliability, less inertia, but is afraid of falls and bumps.
- Induction heaters. The ferromagnetic sting in them is heated by an inductive element to the Curie point, upon reaching which the ferromagnetic properties disappear. Perfect thermal stabilization is achieved without the use of temperature sensors. Heaters of this type work only with a specific temperature, are of high cost due to the recent appearance in the markets and are used in working with exclusive products.
Soldering Station Hot Air Guns
Radio elements are heated in a non-contact manner using a stream of heated air. The hair dryer-soldering iron is similar in principle to the building analogue and can be replaced by it in some cases. The difference between the devices is the ability to adjust the speed of the air flow and stabilize its temperature. Too high a speed can lead to deformation of electrical components.
Hot air guns are divided into compressor and fan, depending on the method of air supply:
- In the case of the soldering station is a compressor that connects to the hot air gun with a flexible hose. The shape of the nozzle is convenient in operation, however, the hose through which air is supplied is too rigid, which is a drawback of the entire structure.
- A compact turbine is built into the handle of the fan models. The soldering station is connected to the hairdryer only with wires, which significantly increases maneuverability and gives freedom of movement, but because of the fan, the handle has large dimensions and weight.
Both varieties are identical in characteristics, so the choice of a soldering station with a hairdryer for the home is based on personal preferences.
A set of hot air gun nozzles allows you to work with components of different sizes and configurations without overheating nearby radio elements. It is advisable to choose a soldering station with a hairdryer, in the kit of which all nozzles are already available.
Infrared heaters
Professional models of soldering stations are equipped with infrared heating devices. Sources used as infrared emitters are placed directly on the desktop and on the radio element in order to uniformly heat up the entire printed circuit board and pinpoint - components of the electronic circuit. Such equipment is of high cost, so the choice of infrared soldering stations is done mainly by professionals involved in the repair of complex equipment.
Additional options
Hot-air heating is not used to dismantle small-sized elements - SMD resistors, diodes, capacitors, and especially - parts with a plastic case. Such work is performed by thermal tweezers - a hybrid of tweezers and a soldering iron. The devices are equipped with jaws that allow you to work with miniature two-pin radio elements, however, you can find models designed to dismantle the IC with terminals located on both sides.
When choosing a soldering station, you should pay attention to the presence of a holder for a hot air gun or a soldering iron. Such fasteners are fixed on the station body or installed on the desktop.
The main criteria for choosing a soldering station are not only additional characteristics and options, but also the availability of consumables, the ability to perform and the quality of the repair.
High-quality models of soldering stations should include a set of consumables and accessories, including nozzles for an air heater, soldering iron tips. A set of nozzles often has to be purchased separately, since it greatly facilitates the work with various electrical circuits.
Consumables are considered heating elements - they are the ones that most often fail due to frequent mechanical stress and high temperatures.
Criterias of choice
The main task of the soldering station is the high-quality adhesion of the elements. For the correct choice of a soldering station, it is necessary to take into account the technical and design parameters:
- Type of heating element. The devices on the market are equipped with ceramic or nichrome heaters. The former quickly heat up, but burst if uneven. This can be avoided with the help of a heat stabilizer that controls the temperature and extends the life of the station. Nichrome is not suitable for frequent use, quickly fails, but costs less than ceramics.
- Wide range of temperature adjustment.
- Heating rate.
- Power. To select a soldering station for this parameter, you must determine the scope of operation of the device.
- Voltage.
- Dimensions, etc.
Selection tips
Masters advise to purchase interchangeable tips at the same time as buying a soldering station: they differ in end area and shape, on which the final result of work depends. The shape, temperature, access to soldering places and the type of elements with which the work will be carried out depends on the width of the edge - the level of heat transfer during soldering.
The material from which the stings are made must have good heat transfer parameters. It is desirable that the design of the soldering station be simple and make it easy to replace failed parts.
The best models of soldering stations
To date, the best are considered soldering stations of the German manufacturer Ersa and the Chinese company Quick. Ersa brand equipment is better suited for professional use, but it is notable for its high cost. The range of budget Quick soldering stations is no less wide, the equipment is of good quality.
Quite often they choose the Hakko 936 soldering station from Japan, which is popular with both professionals and amateurs. Low cost, ease of operation and reliability make the model affordable for a wide range of users.