Metcal "Connection validation"

[mikeselectricstuff]

I'm a bit puzzled by what this actually does - AFAICS it looks like it's just a timer that turns a light on some time after it detects a load...

http://info.okinternational.com/metcal-connection-validation?hsCtaTracking=586d3dc5-e1d3-44f8-b1ee-35a0bb8a6cfa%7C865805a0-e2d0-404c-9592-9506b0b740bf

[128er]

Or is it tracking the amount of heating energy that went into the solder joint? And based on internaly saved data for different types of solder joints and and the tracked energy used for the actual joint, they estimate the "optimal" soldering time.

Or it's just a dumb timer 

[LaurentR]

Well, chip-in-cartridge + green light on handle = completely new equipment throughout (power supply, handle, cartridges) even if the components are likely all backward compatible). Too bad, the ecosystem had been very stable for years :-(
Good way to generate more revenue and create more distance with Thermaltronics et al.

We'll see in practice how this whole technology plays out. None of their material goes into any detail about how it works. Possibly just looking at the power and temperature curves and "seeing" the phase change which must have a distinct signature (e.g. temperature briefly doesn't change while power is still pumped to the joint). Now, how is this sufficient to declare a joint "good"...

[mikeselectricstuff]

Looking at the paper you can download, looks like it's using a combination of temperature measurement and knowledge of the tip type.

I'd imagine it might appeal to hi-reliability type manufacturers, but would be interesting to see how well their measurement system compares to actual joint quality.

[eKretz]

 Seems to me that it's just another way to "dumb down" the soldering process so less skill/experience is necessary to make good solder joints. Looks like it's basically making sure there are no cold joints by monitoring the temperature of the tip and measuring the length of time heat is applied after the solder completely liquifies through the whole joint and produces the intermetallic compound. Basically they want it to grow to a certain thickness and then get the iron off the joint. They're saying in the datasheet that too thin a layer (too short a liquidus period - or cold joint) will give poor reliability, and so will too thick (too long a liquidus period - supposedly will make the joint brittle).

[connectionvalidationman]

The CV system constantly monitors the power being delivered to the soldering cartridge. ALL Metcal systems are variable power but fixed temperature.
The CV system detects the amount of power delivered to the cartridge and based on a patented algorithm calculates the optimum time to create the correct intermetalic for that solder joint. When the correct IM is created it indicates joint completion with a green light. If you cannot complete the solder joint within the IPC guidelines, the system will indicate with a RED led. if this occurs you would need to change tips to a better geometric match or different temperature.

Does it dumb down the soldering process? No, it provides feedback based on the power requirements of the soldering load as opposed to relying on the operator to visualize the correct process. This can be very helpful with NEW soldering operators. The cartridge also captures the data for each soldering joint and can be used in the verification process for HI-REL manufacturing operations.

[eKretz]

"This can be very helpful with new soldering operators" is basically another way of saying that it is indeed "dumbing down" the process so that less or no skill or experience is needed to make good joints - that is pretty much the definition of dumbing down. It's not a diss, it just is what it is.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Does it dumb down the soldering process? No, it provides feedback based on the power requirements of the soldering load as opposed to relying on the operator to visualize the correct process. This can be very helpful with NEW soldering operators.

So it's a training aid - that's fine but you're probably only going to need one per business, to train the new operators. You're not going to want to have operators whose skills rely on a special tool like this.

The cartridge also captures the data for each soldering joint and can be used in the verification process for HI-REL manufacturing operations.

How exactly ? Without a camera you have no way of knowing which operation corresponds to which joint, or whether a "bad" joint was subsequently re-soldered.

[PA4TIM]

They should use it in their MFR soldering irons, Maybe then the cable between supply and handpiece does not get over 100 degrees celcius.