Nicolas Schurando
Introduction
Surface mount devices (SMD) have now become common in the world of hobbyist electronics where soldering is often a key step in making ideas and projects comme to life. But they often require more appropriate tools than the amateur soldering iron.
Among them, soldering tweezers allow reworking most of passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, leds) by heating both pads at the same time. However, current products on the market are both bulky and expensive.
By combining the remarquable quality of Weller RTW tips, and the flexibility offered by USB power supplies, my intent is to create an affordable, durable, and portable product for makers and professionals.
Features
- Portable
- Compatible with Weller RTW tips
- USB Powered (BC 1.2, Quick Charge, Power Delivery)
- OLED display and buttons
Licensing
I am intent on creating and selling a robust product. This leads to quite specific design choices and to manufacturing techniques that not everyone has access to. One perfect example is the body, milled from a single piece of aluminium.
For me, open source really makes sense when the majority of people can actually make use of the published resources, with the least amount of extra steps as possible. That is why I will be releasing here slightly modified files that anyone can use. In particular:
- A 3D-printable enclosure with corresponding PCB under CERN-OHL-S,
- A firmware under GPL v3.
Mastro Gippo
Wim Van Gool
Ben Jordan
Kent
Hi :). For the USB Power Delivery specifically I'm using the FUSB302. For other types of chargers, I'm using the PI3USB9281, and some bit banging for HVDCP (Quick Charge).
Yes, I'm using an adjustable buck to ensure it doesn't exceed the amount of power negotiated. I could have probably gotten away with a pwm-ed mosfet, capacitors and a smoothing inductor, but effectively re-inventing a dc-dc converter while stressing software.
I've made a change since last image, I'm now planning on using only one dc-dc for the two heating elements and redirecting power with individual mosfets for each element.
Thank you for your interest in the project!