A bit of context If you are new here, I recommend reading the first part of this series. There I discussed the various design constraints and considerations and weighed the pros and cons of each one. In this post I will discuss the first prototype I designed. First prototype For the first prototype, I wanted to test what in Part 1 I called Option #1, more specifically the Solid State Relay (SSR) output stage....
Introduction JBC is one of the most renowned soldering equipment manufacturers in the world. Most famously, JBC makes the C245 cartridge range, which feature an integrated design containing a thermocouple and heater wire. This construction method offers better performance and can be more compact than older, non thermally bonded tips. JBC marketing material: better response times and lower temperature drop The only problem is that these stations are fairly high-end. The cheapest one I can find on their website is 500€ before VAT and shipping....