Soldering systems manufacturer Ersa has announced the launch of an IoT soldering station that enables full traceability in manual soldering. Featuring integrated WLAN, Bluetooth and a network card on board, the company says the i-CON TRACE provides 100% connectivity in digitally networked manufacturing processes straight out-of-the-box. “This means that tasks that previously could only be reworked by machine can now be carried out by hand,” the company explained. “Every single soldering process is recorded and documented electronically: PCB, component to be processed, soldering tip used, process temperature and soldering time.”
Maximum connectivity
According to the company, the software for operating the soldering station is available free of charge as a download, and need only be installed once on the customer‘s server rather than on each individual PC. When a station has been integrated into the company network, all authorized terminals can access it via web browser. Specific soldering tasks can be assigned centrally to each soldering station – via MES, PC or mobile device. All essential parameters are preset centrally, so that process reliability is increased, and each workpiece is soldered exactly according to its specifications. The operator can fully concentrate on soldering, and the error rate is reduced. Device management also becomes much easier: firmware updates, calibration intervals, soldering tip wear – everything remains in focus thanks to connectivity and can be customized centrally.
In addition, the company says, it is possible to connect the new station to an existing MES so that soldering parameters can be integrated and stored in complex networked production processes which run via an MES. A recording of the entire soldering task can be downloaded in a specified file format and stored in a higher-level control system. Real-time communication between the soldering stations in the manufacturing area and the customer‘s MES is also possible through a gateway. A mobile app also allows the station to be used like a conventional stand-alone soldering station without being connected to the company network.
Easy operation
Featuring only an on/off switch and three LEDs, the operating concept differs significantly from other industrial soldering stations. The user starts by scanning the assembly, the soldering tip used, the solder wire and the flux. In this way, the system „knows“ that all requirements for the assigned soldering task have been met. The LED interface literally gives the user the green light as soon as the predefined temperature at the soldering tip is reached and the soldering process can be started. This ensures that each solder joint is soldered at exactly the right temperature and with the appropriate material. Any malfunctions (e.g. defective heating element, wrong soldering tip) are detected by the system and reported to the operator. Only when all parameters are correct can soldering be performed.
Easy soldering tip change
The company says the station also impresses “with maximum performance and minimum operating costs”. “Its 150-watt power ensures fast heat-up, even faster reheating and extremely precise temperature regulation. Proven technologies have been further developed – both the heating element and the soldering tip can still be changed individually without any loss of soldering performance. By changing the soldering tips separately from the heating element, each wear part only needs to be replaced when it is really necessary. The patented Tip‘n‘Turn concept allows tips to be changed in record time and without the risk of burns. Each soldering tip has a bayonet lock which, in combination with the multifunctional tool holder, allows a quick, safe change. To do this, the soldering iron including tip only needs to be placed in one of the openings provided for this purpose and rotated by approx. 10°.
“With the i-CON TRACE soldering station as the ‘missing link’, the gap in terms of Industry 4.0 and traceability in industrial electronics production is finally closed – in future, manual soldering processes can be tracked completely,” the company added. “The unique software concept and the intuitive and smart user interface make the manual soldering process safer than ever before.”
productronica.kurtzersa.com
www.i-con-trace.de
