Mechanism Description of a Soldering Iron Introduction This document is designed to describe the parts of a soldering iron and how

it works. A soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering. It supplies heat to melt the solder so that it can flow into the joint between two workpieces. Function It is used for installation, repairs, and limited production work in electronics assembly. Highvolume production lines use other soldering methods. Large irons may be used for soldering joints in sheet metal objects. Less common uses include pyrography (burning designs into wood) and plastic welding. General Appearance A soldering iron looks like a pen with a metal tip that is attached to a metal tube that is also attached to a plastic or wooden handle, on the other end of it is where the cord is connected. The Parts of a Soldering Iron Base Soldering irons with automatic heat controls have a base that plugs into the wall and controls the current to the iron. Some bases include a holder and a sponge to clean the tip. Cord Electric soldering irons have a cord that either plugs into the wall or into a base for heat control. The cord on a soldering iron used with a base cannot be plugged into a wall socket. Handle Handles vary in size and materials, depending mainly on how hot the iron gets. The handle must insulate the operator from heat so that he can work comfortably. Heating Element The heating element, usually rated in watts, must heat the tip sufficiently to melt the solder. A higher wattage heating element heats a larger tip. Tip The soldering iron tip comes in many sizes and shapes, from a pin point for precision soldering to a wider tip for larger wires. The tip must be appropriate for your soldering job. Operation A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle. Heating is often achieved electrically, by passing an electric current (supplied through an electrical cord or battery cables) through a resistive heating element. Cordless irons can be heated by combustion of gas stored in a small tank, often using a catalytic heater rather than a flame. Simple irons less commonly used than in the past were simply a large copper bit on a handle, heated in a flame.