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Topic: Really universal soldering controller (Read 1047168 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2370 –
me2

I thought it had something to do with my attempts to register. I failed 3 times to post something within 24 hours so i had do reregister. But it seems many ppl were blocked.

Given that this is my First Post in this Forum i think i have to use the opportunity to thank everyone involved in this Project.  It might be a bit early, given that my Station is not finished yet. I am currently shifting through my order from mouser trying to identify everything.

Are there any Suggestions as to what to solder First and what last?

I will definitely be joining you ppl from now on. I hope i can give some Updates and Pictures some time soon.

btw. : Are there any Profiles for the Weller WRMD or WXMD, the micro pencils, yet? if i remember correctly than Sparky himself mentioned a lot of Pages ago, that it should be an easy thing.

thx ppl

DeKu

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2371 –
[quote author="DeKu"]Are there any Suggestions as to what to solder First and what last?[/quote]
It's usually suggested to solder the smallest (smd) components first, followed by the bigger ones... while the through hole parts are the last ones soldered in.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2372 –
[quote author="Morpheus1979"][quote author="DeKu"]Are there any Suggestions as to what to solder First and what last?[/quote]
It's usually suggested to solder the smallest (smd) components first, followed by the bigger ones... while the through hole parts are the last ones soldered in.[/quote]
Every one has its own rules.
I solder first the risky one, then complicated soldering and at the last common components.
Take your pleasure time to build something new.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2373 –
Damn... of course - sorry... i forgot: first and foremost it's mostly a good idea to solder all ICs and similar multi-pin smd components. Those are the most time consuming soldering parts which sometimes require hot air soldering (which can be a pain in the ass with surrounding components already in place). But after that it's usually a good suggestion to go from the smallest to the biggest smd parts (cause smaller ones are easier to solder in place without the interference of bigger components surrounding them).

Most of the time i solder all the through hole components at last, since parts like connectors and big electrolytic capacitors are sometimes pretty close to smaller smd components - so you may risk accidentally damaging the through hole parts (especially connectors) with your soldering iron while trying to solder those close smd components at last.

But there are no rules per se... since there are exceptions for almost everything...

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2374 –
I thought I was actually banned by a mod, and couldn't figure out why...

Having myself been a moderator at a rather large forum for a few years way back, I was stomped that I didn't get any warning prior to a temporary ban. But it seems the bans were accidental or the result of the forum getting hacked.

I got the PicKit 3.5 recognized by MPLab X IPE, but I was unable to flash the firmware as I got error messages:
Quote
Target device was not found (could not detect target voltage VDD)

If I held down the button on the PicKit 3.5 as in the guide posted earlier, the IPE did not detect the PicKit 3.5
Only when connecting the PicKit to the computer without the button pressed could IPE detect the tool.

I may have damaged the first PIC32 IC, or some other part on the front PCB. The Back PCB put out all the correct voltages.
Good thing I have a second set of PCB's, and I've started to populate the front PCB of that set. If I'm able to flash that one ok, then I'll go back and rework the, I suspect, faulty one.

It may take some time as I'm recovering from the worst flu I've had in some time...the fever had me almost halucinating the three nights it was at it's peak.

Sometime next week I'll get a 3D printer, something I need to make enclosures and, more importantly, make a few temporary parts for my diy CNC router/mill/engraver that will allow me to actually use it. Those printed parts are only required to last as long as it takes me to cut their replacements in aluminium.
Sorry about the OT, though not completely OT as both the CNC router and the 3D printer will be used for parts for the UniSolder project.
There's always more to learn...and remember that everyone was new to everything at some point.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2375 –
[quote author="Morpheus1979"][quote author="DeKu"]Are there any Suggestions as to what to solder First and what last?[/quote]
It's usually suggested to solder the smallest (smd) components first, followed by the bigger ones... while the through hole parts are the last ones soldered in.[/quote]
I agree with the general idea, but in this case especially if handsoldering...I'd look long and hard at the layout and solder parts on in an order that made access to surrounding parts as easy as possible. This set of boards, in some places, have a very high component density in lack of a better word. So if I were to handsolder all parts, I'd think about the order long and hard before starting to solder them in place. As for TH parts, agreed they should be the last ones to be populated.
Just my 2 cents
There's always more to learn...and remember that everyone was new to everything at some point.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2376 –
I was thinking of having a couple of cheap kapton stencils made for these boards, but I could only find the gerber for that for the "full" set of boards. I wanted to get stencils for the individual boards. With my chronic pain, there's no way for me to populate the whole set in one go.

Does any one have the files to get stencils for the individual boards?

It would be grately appreciated.
There's always more to learn...and remember that everyone was new to everything at some point.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2377 –
[quote author="lukane"]
I got the PicKit 3.5 recognized by MPLab X IPE, but I was unable to flash the firmware as I got error messages:
Quote
Target device was not found (could not detect target voltage VDD)

If I held down the button on the PicKit 3.5 as in the guide posted earlier, the IPE did not detect the PicKit 3.5
Only when connecting the PicKit to the computer without the button pressed could IPE detect the tool.
[/quote]

1) Have you connected Front board to power supply (e.g. Back board), is it powered?
2) Check whether you connected Pickit cable correctly - 'arrow' wire on Picket should be connected to square pad on front board.
2) That is correct - if after holding button on Pickit MPLab does not see it, reconnect Pickit to computer.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2378 –
[quote author="salavat"][quote author="lukane"]
I got the PicKit 3.5 recognized by MPLab X IPE, but I was unable to flash the firmware as I got error messages:
Quote
Target device was not found (could not detect target voltage VDD)

If I held down the button on the PicKit 3.5 as in the guide posted earlier, the IPE did not detect the PicKit 3.5
Only when connecting the PicKit to the computer without the button pressed could IPE detect the tool.
[/quote]

1) Have you connected Front board to power supply (e.g. Back board), is it powered?
2) Check whether you connected Pickit cable correctly - 'arrow' wire on Picket should be connected to square pad on front board.
2) That is correct - if after holding button on Pickit MPLab does not see it, reconnect Pickit to computer.[/quote]

I've checked voltages from back pcb, they are spot on.

Arrow (PicKit) - pin1 (square pad): yes.

That leaves:
VDD is interupted on front PCB before reaching the PIC32
PIC32 is busted.
And, any number of things I haven't thought of now as I've not operated on all cylinders while running a high fever.
There's always more to learn...and remember that everyone was new to everything at some point.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2379 –
I've been thinking of this "ban" thing. Maybe we should start planning to move from here.
If you look at the startpage of forum, this is kinda the only thread that is still alive.
Maybe DangerousPrototypes decide to shut this forum down for good, then what.

Not saying we should move now but rather start thinking of a move.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2380 –
We can go anywhere, not a big deal. But HOW we can bring this thread along?

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2381 –
I'm wondering about : why there is no some kind of crowdfunding for an metal (aluminium) enclosure.
It's very sad,when you done this beauty and it's still remains in barebone/uncomplete conditions ... :(

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2382 –
I don't think crowdfunding would work for it, since it's too small of a niche product. You need lots and lots of interested people to make a cheap production line financially feasible. But you don't have that for the Unisolder. Therefore it's cheaper to buy a preexisting enclosure and modify it... or 3d-print one yourself. I would even go so far as to say that this personal touch is kind of part of the appeal for some people.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2383 –
[quote author="eric1981"]Thanks sparkybg for this great design
I built one and works really well
Here's my 3d printed case for UniSolder

thingiverse
thing:3460761

Sorry for i can not post the url cause i'm a new user...

Cause my bad english, maybe update description for the detail of 3d print later, lot translate work todo
Wish you guys understand how this enclosure works
Tranformer must smller than 95mm*55mm or you can edit the stl to fit your transformer
[attachment=0]
[attachment=1][/quote]

Hi,
I've just gotten a 3D printer, an Ender 3 along with a bunch of upgrade parts.
I'm not at all familiar with designing or changing designs in CAD software though.

I've gotten this transformer for my buiĺd:
Quote
Type of transformer: toroidal
Power: 120VA
Primary voltage: 230V AC
Secondary voltage 1: 24V
Secondary winding current 1: 5A
Weight: 1.3kg
Leads: cables
Diameter: 105mm
Height: 40mm
IP rating: IP00
Insulation class: II
Thermal class: Ta40B
Conform to the norm: PN-EN 61558
Electrical insulation strength: 4kV/60s
Cable length: 150mm
Kit contents: rubber washer x2
Kit contents: lid
Manufacturer: INDEL

How would one modify the enclosure to fit that transformer? What material would be best to print with?
PLA as far as my limited knowledge does not like heat so that, I'm guessing, would make it unsuitable.
There's always more to learn...and remember that everyone was new to everything at some point.

Re: Really universal soldering controller

Reply #2384 –
[quote author="lukane"][quote author="eric1981"]Thanks sparkybg for this great design
I built one and works really well
Here's my 3d printed case for UniSolder

thingiverse
thing:3460761

Sorry for i can not post the url cause i'm a new user...

Cause my bad english, maybe update description for the detail of 3d print later, lot translate work todo
Wish you guys understand how this enclosure works
Tranformer must smller than 95mm*55mm or you can edit the stl to fit your transformer
[attachment=0]
[attachment=1][/quote]

Hi,
I've just gotten a 3D printer, an Ender 3 along with a bunch of upgrade parts.
I'm not at all familiar with designing or changing designs in CAD software though.

I've gotten this transformer for my buiĺd:
Quote
Type of transformer: toroidal
Power: 120VA
Primary voltage: 230V AC
Secondary voltage 1: 24V
Secondary winding current 1: 5A
Weight: 1.3kg
Leads: cables
Diameter: 105mm
Height: 40mm
IP rating: IP00
Insulation class: II
Thermal class: Ta40B
Conform to the norm: PN-EN 61558
Electrical insulation strength: 4kV/60s
Cable length: 150mm
Kit contents: rubber washer x2
Kit contents: lid
Manufacturer: INDEL

How would one modify the enclosure to fit that transformer? What material would be best to print with?
PLA as far as my limited knowledge does not like heat so that, I'm guessing, would make it unsuitable.[/quote]

I'm using PETG ,better heat resistance than PLA
Sorry for my design just can fit 95mmx55mm transformer, but i'm planning rebuild this model to fit more different transformer
Maybe few days later, i will let you know when i done