Category: General

For commercial customers, a three-year TBK warranty applies to HAKKO products purchased through TBK. Accessories and consumables are excluded from this warranty. This voluntary warranty does not automatically apply to devices purchased through other distribution channels and supplements the statutory rights regarding defects. The TBK Terms and Conditions of Delivery apply to statutory liability for defects; these generally provide for a 24-month period from the date of delivery or, if applicable, from the date of required acceptance. Please retain your proof of purchase, product description, and serial number so that the scope of the warranty and the claims process for the specific device can be clearly verified.

A soldering robot is not cost-effective based on a fixed production volume, but rather when used for recurring soldering tasks with stable process conditions. Suitable conditions include reproducible solder joints, defined component positions, and collision-free access for the soldering tip and solder wire. Less suitable are one-off parts, frequently changing variants, unfixed wires, or processes with many exceptions. Before making the investment, a pilot test with actual assemblies is recommended. During this test, cycle time, soldering quality, rework, program changes, malfunctions, and maintenance costs are measured. The key factor is whether the consistent benefits justify the integration, fixture, and operating costs.

Lead-containing and lead-free solders differ primarily in their melting behavior, wetting properties, and process control. The eutectic Sn63Pb37 melts at 183 °C without a melting range, while the widely used lead-free SAC305 melts at approximately 217 to 220 °C. Due to the wider melting range of many lead-free alloys, effective heat transfer is particularly important. A suitable soldering tip, clean surfaces, good temperature control, and appropriate flux are usually more effective than simply setting a much higher target temperature across the board. Excessively high temperatures and long contact times promote oxidation and tip wear.

Filter replacement for a solder fume extraction system depends on the actual load and the condition of the unit, not just on a fixed schedule. On the MG100 and MG140, the filter indicator monitors operating time and extraction performance. A warning indicates that the recommended service life has been reached or that the airflow is no longer sufficient. First, check the nozzle, extraction arm, and hose for deposits or blockages. For the MG140’s main filter, approximately 1,500 operating hours are considered a guideline in electronics manufacturing; for reliable gas separation, it should be replaced at least once a year.

Soldering fumes can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract because they contain fine particles as well as gaseous and vaporous reaction and decomposition products. The composition depends on the solder, flux, workpiece, temperature, and duration of soldering. Fumes from heated fluxes can be particularly irritating; components containing rosin can cause sensitization and trigger occupational asthma. Even lead-free soldering produces flux decomposition products and very small particles. Soldering fumes should therefore be extracted directly at the source. Unnecessarily high temperatures should be avoided, and the extraction system and filters should be maintained regularly.

Solder fumes should be extracted as close as possible to the soldering site before they enter the breathing zone or spread throughout the room. Position the extraction arm or nozzle as close as practical to the source without obstructing visibility or hand movement. For single or dual manual soldering stations, the mobile MG100 and MG140 filter systems are suitable; they filter particles and gases and monitor filter condition. If localized extraction is insufficient or a larger work area needs to be shielded, the CBC with an air curtain can be used.

Preheating, desoldering, or hot-air rework are used depending on the assembly and soldering task. Preheating is helpful for large, multilayer, or copper-rich printed circuit boards that draw a lot of heat away from the solder joint. Vacuum desoldering is particularly suitable for THT connections and through-holes; for multilayer PCBs, the FR-410 can be used, for example, while the FR-400 is recommended for cases involving particularly high thermal mass. Hot-air rework is suitable for SMD packages with numerous or concealed connections. For challenging repairs, these methods can be combined.

Above all, a professional hand-soldering workstation requires stable heat transfer, ESD protection, effective solder fume extraction, and an ergonomically designed work area. The station, handpiece, and soldering tip must be suitable for the task at hand. A conductive work surface, personal grounding, and a common grounding point protect sensitive assemblies; the fume extraction system should capture soldering fumes as close as possible to the source. To ensure reproducible processes, temperature control, temperature presets, operator locks, standby mode, and automatic shut-off are also recommended. Regular checks of tip temperature, ESD connections, extraction performance, and filter condition ensure long-term reliability.

Yes. Business customers can generally test professional HAKKO equipment free of charge for four weeks. This allows you to evaluate the right combination of workstation, handpiece, soldering tip, or nozzle directly with your own assemblies and under real-world working conditions. Upon request, we can combine the test with a visit to your location. During this visit, we’ll assist you with selection, setup, and initial test soldering, and we’ll work with you to fine-tune the key parameters for your specific application. Please let us know the desired equipment, your application, the location where it will be used, and your preferred time frame. We’ll then confirm availability, accessories, shipping or pickup, and the exact details of the four-week trial.

A compatible HAKKO station connects to a PC via USB. Depending on the device, the HAKKO Control software provides the target temperature, temperature presets, correction value or offset, device ID, current peak temperature, and operating statuses. For multi-channel stations, the data is assigned to the respective channel. Parameter sets and temperature profiles can be saved as CSV files. Depending on the model, calibration reports include, among other things, the date, device, handpiece, setpoint and measured values, as well as offset values. Compatible temperature measuring devices can also transmit measured values to the station via infrared.