Welcome to Weller® Electronics

site map:
search:

Find out about Weller’s lead-free system while time is still on your side
You know it’s going to happen. It’s inevitable. So why wait? Start getting the benefits of the Weller Certified Lead-Free System of products today. Weller Silver Series stations have the power to handle the extra demands of lead-free soldering and the versatility to tackle a wide array of applications. The unique silver heating element and tip configuration provides outstanding temperature recovery, so even if you’re not using lead-free now, your production rates will soar. And with the Weller independent heater/tip design, your tip replacement costs will be substantially less. See your Weller distributor today. The time has never been better to get the Weller advantage.

Why the Switch to Lead Free?
As the worldwide electronics industry moves closer to the Lead Free enforcement date of July 1, 2006 to meet the European Union’s WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and the RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) regulations, worldwide Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) and Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) companies are preparing for Lead Free circuit board assemblies. The recommendation for the industry to adopt a maximum allowable percentage of 0.1 % by weight of Lead in “Lead Free” products, is fast approaching. Due to the drive to reduce the overall amount of Lead in manufacturer’s products, changes are very rapidly occurring worldwide.
Cooper Industries and Cooper Hand Tools is committed to leading the environmental challenges of the future by complying with the European Union’s WEEE and RoHS directive to ban hazardous materials by the July 1, 2006 deadline. Weller®, a Division of Cooper Hand Tools, is determined to play a significant role in the leadership of this challenge.
Advances in Technology of Lead Free Solders
As new Lead Free solder alloys emerge in the marketplace, soldering equipment must also change to meet the ever-growing needs of increased temperatures for the higher melting point alloys. Weller’s more recent advancement in the Silver Series technology of high wattage (65 to 80 Watt) soldering equipment, are prepared to handle these challenges.
Solders produced from high percentages of Tin (Sn); accompanied by small percentages of Silver (Ag), Copper (Cu) and occasionally Bismuth (Bi) are the leading candidates for new alloys in the electronics industry. Standard alloys of Sn 96.5/Ag 3.5 and Sn 96.5/Ag 3.0/Cu 0.5 are being chosen as the closest overall replacements for Eutectic (Sn63 / Pb 37) and Near Eutectic (Sn 60/Pb 40 and SN 62/Pb 36/Ag 02) alloys currently being used in the market today. For quick reference, solder melting points are listed below. This listing shows the nominal changes between several “Lead Bearing” and “Lead Free” alloys. Not all alloys are listed and Weller is not necessarily recommending that the alloys listed should be chosen for any specific application. Please consult your solder manufacturer for more specific application recommendations.

Advancements in Technology of Soldering Equipment
Along with an increase in the melting points of the new alloys, advancements in the way that hand soldering tools perform, are critical as well. The requirement to transfer heat to the application without significantly increasing the working temperature of the soldering tool being used can only be achieved by increasing the thermal capacity of the tool.

An increase in the thermal capacity accompanied by the direct transfer of energy from the soldering iron’s heating element to the tip, is how Weller has overcome the challenge of hand soldering for the industries growing needs. With one of the market’s highest wattage electronically controlled soldering irons, which boast an impressive output of 80 Watts, the Weller Silver Series Model WD1002 Soldering tool meets the stringent demands for the new alloys.
For applications that require more precise soldering techniques, the Weller Silver Series Models WSL and WSL2 combine to offer one of the closest “Tip to Grip” handle designs (37 mm / 1.46” Tip Reach) on the market. Along with 65 Watts of continuous, controlled power, the Weller WMP Model soldering iron offers an additional option to the future of Lead Free soldering task.
With the added features of Temperature “Lockout” for process control, Auto “Setback” and Auto “Off” for improving tip life, °F to °C conversion capabilities, the Weller Silver Series products offer the latest advantages to hand soldering equipment.
All Weller Electronic soldering products meet or exceed the stringent requirements for EOS (Electrical Over Stress) and ESD (Electro Static Dissipative) standards, as well as all applicable MIL-STD and J-STD requirements (2 mV TRMS, 2 Ohms Tip to Ground Resistance, etc.).
Advancements in Technology of Soldering Tips
Due to the nature of the higher Tin (Sn) content of the Lead Free alloys, advancements in soldering iron tip technologies also must change. It has been determined that the higher Tin content may cause a shorter life expectancy on soldering tips because of the fact that Iron (Fe) plating is used as the protective covering (commonly referred to as Electroplating) on all electronic grade-soldering tips. Iron (Fe) “migrates” or “leaches” more quickly into the higher Tin (Sn) content of the Lead Free alloys as opposed to the previously used Tin (Sn) / Lead (PB) solders that have been used for decades. Due to this phenomena, an increase in the thickness of Iron (Fe) applied to the soldering tips is the only known way to improve tip life. For more information about Weller Lead Free Products, download the entire Weller Lead Free Bulletin.

privacy

legal