Soldering RT1

Description

Professional Weller series are some of the best tools I had the opportunity to work with. However, for home and hobby levels, their price is a bit steep especially if you need to use the SMD tweezers. I use everyday Weller tools at work, but i could not afford them for hobby/home. Therefore, I decided to design my own station and add some functionalities that I value (e.g. portability). Hence the Soldering RT1 is here!!!!!!!

Soldering station compatible with RT tips (12V 45W+ and more!), custom developed, perfect for SMD work :). Tips supported: RT Micro/Pico/Ultra and SMD tweezers. Portable, compact, performant, plain simple!!!

In the picture you can see a bit the evolution of the project, from a lasercut enclosure to a 3d printed version. The software is updated regularly, trying to remove some bugs and adding features. I hope you find time to build one yourself! It's one of my favorite tools for my hobby!

Project files and updates are published in GitLab.

Details

Universal Soldering station compatible with RT tips and SMD tweezers:

Tips supported:

RT Micro
RT Pico
RT Ultra
SMD tweezers

Main features:

Two independent channels
1.8" TFT full color LCD
Hardware mosfet support more than 10A continuous!! (repetitive peaks of more than 50A)
Easy to use and portable
Compatible with Weller RT1
Open source
Fully Programmable (temperatures 150-450C, preset temperatures, power limitation to use various power supplies), also serial interface and source code available.
Under Voltage Lock Out (UVLO) functionality
Runs on standard external 12V power adapter (voltage range 7-24V), with also duty cycle limitation (allows to use smaller power supplies)
Can run also on batteries (7-24V) with Under Voltage Lock Out (perfect for Lipo batteries!

Source code is developed based on Arduino. Full source code and manual are available in GitLab ( Source code and manual )

The case is designed to be 3D printed, two parts in a single print with no support (PLA, PETG, ABS, what you like). For a fast print it is possible to use a 0.3mm layer height (a complete case print can be done in less than 2h at 60mm/s).

Electronics are designed to be one side SMD and with as few through home components as possible.

Underneath the TFT there is the microcontroller (AtMega 32U4) and auxiliary electronics.

SMD Tweezers:

The major challenge in creating the SMD tweezers (really really amazing for SMDs) was to find the mating connector for the original Weller replacement.

After finding the correct rare connector, it was rather easy to identify the resistive elements connections and TC connections.

The simple version of the SMD tweezers, uses a single channel of the soldering station (by drivign the resistive elements in parallel). In this way a single soldering station can handle a soldering iron and a set of SMD tweezers (in picture the simple ugly white case for the SMD tweezers V1).

And some improvements to the tweezers holder. The design had to be based on three 3d printed parts

- two compose the outer case

- one parts allows mounting the receptacle connector and easy soldering of the wires

and finally the SMD tweezers optimized version with a nice complete view of the station :).

Future updates:
- Currently firmware version is 1.8b with multiple improvements is available from GitLab: https://gitlab.com/pittinihub/solderingrt1

- Future standby function (it will take a while... it is a bit complex/time demanding)

- Maybe include compatibility with C245 JBC iron-cartridges (secret work in progress...)

Files

SolderingRT1_Schematic.pdf

Schematic

Adobe Portable Document Format - 235.96 kB - 08/28/2020 at 10:48

Preview

SolderingRT1_firmware.zip

Firmware

x-zip-compressed - 9.78 kB - 05/22/2020 at 09:28

Download

SolderingRT1 manual hw1.00.pdf

Simple Manual

Adobe Portable Document Format - 252.18 kB - 05/22/2020 at 09:27

Preview

Components

1 × PCB assembled (with buttons, TFT, switch and encoder)

1 × Case TOP (3d print)

1 × Case BOTTOM (3d print)

1 × 4 plastic screws (3.2*8mm)

1 × 2.1*5.5mm 12-24V power supply (min 3A, suggested 12V)

Project Logs

Collapse

Major updates in Firmware

Riccardo Pittini • 09/09/2020 at 21:15 • 0 comments

Some of the major updates in the firmware... (more to come)

V1.35:
- Fixed PID calculator coefficients and sampling (it could have had oscillations)
- PID tested with 12V in and duty 110-220 with low and high resistance cable, acceptable performance in all cases
- Missing to correct refresh rate of the screen (it is increased as the main loop is executed more times)

V1.4:
- Added channel tracking option in menu. Now it is possible to set one channel temperature, and both are set.

V1.5:
- Added AutoON function in menu: When changing tip, the channel goes on automatically to the set temperature.

V1.6:
- Buttons very responsive, including encoder switch
- Some code cleanup

Software V1.3 and future updates

Riccardo Pittini • 05/25/2020 at 07:44 • 0 comments

Software revision reached V1.3, main features:

- Programmable temperatures

- Duty cycle limitation (to use various power supply rating) programmable via menu

- Under Voltage Lock Out for lipo battery protection programmable via menu

Future implementations:

- Small updated on UVLO implementation (mostly graphical)

- Channel tracking implementation

- More ideas? :)

Discussions

Jackson wrote 02/03/2024 at 04:36

This setup destroyed several of my RTP and RTM tips when I used it with a 20V supply. The RTM tips lasted a few hours, but the RTP tip self-destructed almost immediately. Be careful, and either tweak the firmware, or use a 12V supply.

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 02/03/2024 at 09:24

Hi Jackson, very sorry that you had this problem.

I am pretty sure I know the issue. When you use a power supply you have to select the duty cycle limit (there is NO auto setting because it would need to depend on the cable that you are using as it adds resistance and there is no current sensor on the board). what happens is that you can deliver too much power to the tips (above their 40-45W rating) and thus you wear then out early.

This means if you use a 20V power supply it is recommended to change the duty cycle limit to about 50/255. You just have to push and hold the encoder button until you enter the menu, and you have the setting there. If you use a 12V power supply a good value is 100-110/255. Just check that the tip reaches 330C in about 4-5sec then you are safe. If the tip reaches it in 2sec or overshoots too much. Then you a hard on the tips.

I could probably implement an auto setting for the duty cycle, the problem with that is that it depends on the cable (which I cannot detect the resistance without HW change).

I hope this clarified how it works.

BR.

Are you sure? yes | no

Jackson wrote 08/14/2023 at 00:33

I'm contemplating building this soon and was wondering if anyone had a part number for the 3.5 mm extension cable that worked for them.

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 08/17/2023 at 03:54

Just build your own :) it is a simple reccomended 1-1.2m length mini jack extension cable (nothing special, just use like AWG26 so you get low resistance ;))

Are you sure? yes | no

Ramkumar Ramaswamy wrote 07/28/2023 at 05:49

I seem to have very basic issues with the firmware. For example, I found the left button changing the right channel and vice versa. I traced from board through schematic and to source code and indeed it seems to reflect that left and right are interchanged! Did anyone else face this issue?

https://gitlab.com/pittinihub/solderingrt1/-/issues/2

Are you sure? yes | no

Jairo Santos wrote 04/13/2023 at 18:51

Hey.
Is it possible to use for arduino uno or microntreolador atmega 328?

Are you sure? yes | no

dmitry wrote 03/08/2022 at 16:32

Pretty nice project!

Can't understand, is RestSense pins connected somewhere? found only connectors on PCB and a part of sourcecode "reset TFT" via this pins. what is the correct use and connection for them?

Are you sure? yes | no

Victor wrote 04/16/2021 at 22:03

very cool! do you have a youtube demo? what about temperature control and sleep mode?

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 09/09/2020 at 21:22

For the ones that want to do a built it yourself:

- Schematic is complete also with specific part numbers (e.g. mini jack connectors, DC in, tactiles with correct length etc.)

- In the Kicad files, some components have wrong footprints (DC in and mini jacks). I didn't have time to create the correct footprints for them.

- You can make the layout in Kicad, the board is a simply 10x5cm 1oz 2layer

- All components can be hand soldered

- If you need to generate the BOM simply generate it from the Kicad schematics ;)

All documentation is available in GitLab link (the one I try to maintain regularly).

I added also SMD tweezers STLs for 3d printing :)

Are you sure? yes | no

Cedric wrote 10/29/2020 at 14:26

Cool project! Can you tell what's the purpose of 'Rest connection for heaters' and 'Other conections'? They seem not to be used in the arduino script?

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 12/06/2020 at 13:55

The "hidden connector in the back" is if you want connect the GND of the power supply to a fixed potential on the circuit that you are soldering on, or use it as ESD protection. Internal you can select the connection to be via a 1Mohm or direct (you have to place a short-jumper)

Are you sure? yes | no

nirh216 wrote 09/06/2020 at 08:25

Can you tell how did you wire the SMD Tweezers connector with the 3.5mm headphone jack?

Are you sure? yes | no

nirh216 wrote 09/02/2020 at 08:06

Can you please share the information about the power supply for use with iron and tweezers (Volt, Amp, connector type, connector size- Diameter)? Thanks

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 09/04/2020 at 08:47

Connector for SDM tweezers: binder 09-9792-20-05
Power supply recommended 12V 5A or more amps, the connector of the power supply is 5.5*2.1/2.5mm standard barrel connector for 12V LED strips

Are you sure? yes | no

nirh216 wrote 09/04/2020 at 09:46

Thanks!

What is the min/max amp, volt needed? That this system can handle?

BTW, any news on the pcb specs for manufacturing?

Can you also share a full components list (maybe it's knows as BOM)?

Are you sure? yes | no

Manu wrote 09/01/2020 at 09:18

Hi, nice project! Can you share the references for the jack extension cable and the smd tweezer connector?

Are you sure? yes | no

Manu wrote 09/01/2020 at 12:52

found it: binder 09-9792-20-05

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 09/01/2020 at 13:00

Correct!!! I will upload STL files for the SMD in the next days!

I try to update more regularly GitLab...

Are you sure? yes | no

Manu wrote 09/01/2020 at 13:03

I will definitively try the SMD tweezers!

Are you sure? yes | no

tom wrote 06/06/2020 at 22:28

Where I find PCB files (gerber,nc drill)?

Are you sure? yes | no

Riccardo Pittini wrote 06/09/2020 at 06:36

Hi unfortunately I don't have access to the PCB software anymore (changed company) as I developed the project about a year ago (HW) and finished the software only recently. In the next months, I am learning Kicad in the free time and I will try to publish the design with Kicad files.

Are you sure? yes | no

tom wrote 06/09/2020 at 07:03

OK, fine :)

Are you sure? yes | no

nirh216 wrote 08/31/2020 at 11:18

can you tell me please what you know about the board?

Number of layers, properties, etc?

Can you share full components list for the board?

Thanks!

Are you sure? yes | no

Soldering RT1

Description

Details