Soldering-station

based on Weller RT soldering tip

History

This soldering station is my own build version of the station shown in Heise Make 05/2016. I made this already in 2017 but never documented it. Now, during process of software update I thought it would be a good idea to document this project and make it available for the public. Credits for original design goes to Luca Zimmermann. Original code is hosted here: ArduinoHannover/Maiskolben. I have not forked the code from Luca in order to avoid doubling the information and wasting memory. In order to make this customized build there is no need to have the original code. Nevertheless, you will find all informations regarding code history, features of the different versions as well as the user manual in the repository, which hosts the original code.

I have created my own custom PCB, which is build into a standard housing from Hammond (type 1591C), so no need to make 3D Prints. The hardware is based on the original design. However the key layout has been adopted to my needs. The software (source code) can be found in an own repository: soldering_station_software. Unfortunately I could not manage to integrate the software repository into this one.

Below you find the changes to the original design from ArduinoHannover/Maiskolben

Code Baseline:

• Refer to Readme of soldering_station_software.

Changes to original HW design and code:

• Backlight can be adjusted via potentiometer (no PWM controlled TFT brightness)
• customized PCB to fit into standard housing from Hammond (type 1591C)
• Code changes are described in Readme of soldering_station_software

HW Design decisions:

• Diptrace is used for schematics and PCB layout creation (note: free editition 4.x can be used)
• almost SMD components used (except 5V regulator, connectors, push buttons, LED and Arduino Nano)

Construction and assembly notes:

• two copper-clad PCBs are inserted vertically into Hammond enclosure as spacers to keep distance of PCB to the lid - see figure below:

• holes are drilled into the lid for the tactile caps of the push buttons.
• no cut-out for display needed
• enclosure mounted with two 3D printed angle brackets to a base plate

Final Remarks:

• feel free to build your own soldering station and stay creative
• HW design data is provided AS IS, so no warranties.