Weller

Hi Luca, Can you tell us about the motivation around creating the WXsmart All In One Station?

Hand soldering is such a critical part of both planned and reactive maintenance within the Aerospace industry, and as part of our ongoing research and development into how to best support our customers, we spotted an opportunity to create a unit that we believe is truly market leading.

We knew that to tackle each individual application in front of them, a standard high-level professional operator needs at least two different soldering irons. One for small applications and one for bigger applications. We also knew they would need a few different tips for each iron and an easy control for specific working parameters.

So, when we set out to develop the new WXsmart, we started by outlining a clear goal – we wanted to create the smartest unit in the soldering market. We wanted it to have two channels, two different tools, and the widest screen that’s ever been seen on a soldering unit. And this isn’t just any screen, it is a 10.93 cm, heat-resistant, patented touch screen that can be used in ESD Protect Areas. In fact, the WXsmart is the only soldering unit with an ESD touchscreen. We’re immensely proud of this.

What kind of feedback have you received on the unit so far?

It has been very positive. Users appreciate its robustness, which helps to keep it damage free. They also like how the display unit has a real glass, heat-resistant screen, and how it is clearly visible from all angles.

The WXsmart is as simple to use as a standard smartphone with swiping commands and a rich, intuitive navigation. All make it easy to use even when wearing protective gloves.

Another positive for users, is the control units are stackable helping to save precious space on the workbench – which today can so often be overcrowded.

What other features or details are key to calling out?

When you hold the WXsmart, you can immediately feel its power. Weighing 4.5 kg, with its hefty and powerful 300W toroid transformer, it can power up and connect two high powered tools at the same time. For example, a customer working on cables might have a 200W solder bath on the left channel to prepare the cables while also having a 200W soldering iron on the right channel to solder the wire in the connector after its preparation. With the WXsmart, this is achievable on a single control unit.

Another key feature is its multi-compatibility. The WXsmart is backward compatible with all WX tools and accessories – of which there are 17. This means you can replace your unit with the new WXsmart and keep using your existing WX tools.

With a WXsmart control unit, you can select the most appropriate tool to be used—different power levels within 3 different heating technologies each with different performances, dimensions, and running costs. While all other brands just provide one heating element, it is your choice with Weller. You won’t need another control unit. WXsmart does it all. Just add your choice of accessories and you have the station you need now and the station you will need in the future. The WXsmart not only saves you cost, time, and space. It’s a long-term security of your investment.

That’s quite a lot from a soldering unit…?

Well, it’s not just a soldering unit. Because of its compatibility to other WX products, you might start setting up your workbench with a soldering set, but it could soon turn into a rework set! One solution customers were asking for the most was the ability to set up a rework system without the need for compressed air – and with the WXsmart you can do this. The unit is perfectly stackable on top of the WXair.

There’s also two desoldering irons available: an ergonomic one and an inline one for high density applications. Aerospace users really appreciated their high power and efficiency, especially since this allows them to tackle tough and heavy components such as IGBTs.

All WXsmart soldering units also wirelessly connects to our new ZeroSmog Guard under-bench fume extraction units – the quietest fume extraction units on the market, operating at a noise level of less than 50db, with 99.95% particle filtration efficiency and odor removal during soldering. Their large filtering surface is comprised of H13 HEPA particle filter, activated carbon, and potassium permanganate to provide air quality. A robust blower maintains sufficient suction pressure throughout the filter’s life ensuring a high flow rate to capture smoke. They’re ESD safe, alert you when their filters need to be replace, have a remote display, expandable modular housing, and an easy to reach on/off switch.

Tell us about the Smart Tools that are available?

To make this solution really smart, our R&D team developed some new tools that are smart and provide exciting and innovative features.

We have a new patented feature; RGS right lights, which are individually settable to easily recognise each tool, its connector, and its parameters on the display of the unit.

All of Weller’s Smart Tips have a built-in chip that allow users to have tip specific information stored in them. Valuable information like tip style, ordering code, sizes, production date, serial number, last calibration value, last calibration dates, solder joints counted, and total power consumed.

There are four Smart Tools available now – two Smart Soldering Irons, which launched with WXsmart, and two new Smart Desoldering Tweezers. All of them are according to Miliary standards.

WXUPSMS is a150W Smart Ultra Soldering Iron for heavy duty application. Small and compact, but with a lot of power

The other Smart Iron, WXMPSMS, is a two-in-one soldering iron. It covers both Standard, or so-called Micro application and the smallest ones that we call Pico with a shorter grip to tip distance that grants maximum precision under the microscope on the smallest applications. One tool, two tips family for a total of more than 60 tips available for a wide range of applications, this is smart, isn’t it?

Same with the new 2 thermal tweezers: WXUTS for heavy duty applications and WXMTS for Micro and Pico Applications, perfect for desoldering chips!

To protect your investment and extend the life of your tips, I’d recommend using our new Automatic Tip Cleaner and WSW solder wire. The WATC100 is available with fiber or metal brushes and cleans all tips and tweezers in only 1 second without spilling any debris on your work bench. Weller’s WSW solder wire, with guaranteed 100% continuous flux core, increases tip life by reducing tip consumption up to 70%. Another benefit from using these Weller products are clean tips and quality solder wire ensure a long-term, highly durable soldering joints that will not crack, even on difficult surfaces.

What can you tell us about the temperature measuring device?

Our new developed WCU is a reliable and precise temperature measuring device; ESD safe, battery powered and low energy consuming, so it can be used everywhere, even on the go. It’s easy to use and works with both the built-in thermocross and external type K sensors, even at the same time. It has special features like a measurement counter, resettable, and max hold function, to keep evidence of the highest read value. It also has easy to read digital settings that can be set to Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Since measuring and controlling temperature when soldering is critical for ensuring safety, reliability, and long-term durability of electronic components, our customers love how it only takes less than 10 seconds to operate and is easy to use; easy to use; is competitively priced; can be used not just with Weller equipment but with any other soldering device, and we have all spare sensors available. Given it is used to make measurements, we recommend a yearly calibration of the measuring device too. This can be done by our repair service in Hungary.

Last, but not least, quality managers love the auto calibration feature, when connected to any WX and WXsmart units. This is because through its cable, sold separately, Offset value will be automatically and directly sent from the WCU to the connected WX tool with no need for manual settings.

This is auto calibration, a new feature for WX units and tools, but calibration becomes smart when the WXsmart and a Weller Smart Tool are combined with the WCU. With this setting the Offset value will be automatically addressed to the tip itself, providing a new level of temperature precision. Calibration certificate provided, it’s perfect for any ISO audit.

Can you tell us about Weller Erem Precision Tools?

Of course. Weller Erem is our Swiss made industry-leading line of precision tools created to meet the specific needs of electronics and medical device manufacturing.

You can really feel the difference when you are using one of Weller Erem’s cutters, pliers, and tweezers. They are unmatched in durability, accuracy, and control, made from ESD safe materials, and feature ergonomically shaped handles for superior comfort and fatigue-free handling.

The cutters and pliers provide over 1 million precise and accurate movements thanks to their state-of-the-art Magic Spring™, High Precision Screw Joint, and Maximum Opening Stop Technology.

The tweezers combine precision, design, and balance and are available in various materials, tip shapes, and sizes for every application.

Weller Erem offers an extensive range of precision tools. But, if you can’t find one that meets your specific application needs, it isn’t a problem. We can customize any of our precision tools to meet your specific application needs within about 2 weeks.

Finally, Luca, in summary, why would you recommend the WXsmart and Weller for the Aerospace Industry?

If I had to state five reasons that WXsmart is perfect for the Aerospace industry, I’d say; it’s easy to control, high-powered, has small dimensions, it’s flexible and has a host of smart features.

As for Weller, we offer the most advanced hand soldering, fume extraction units, and precision tools. We truly are the total solution and are connecting the future of soldering.