METCAL

Metcal, a brand from Silicon Valley, is a manufacturer of soldering tools and other products used in the production of printed circuit boards. The company’s history dates back to 1982. Over the last four decades, Metcal has become one of the most valued suppliers of solutions used to manufacture electronic components for industry branches such as automotive, aviation, and even medicine.

The supplier has developed two technologies which make the Metcal components stand out among its competitors: SmartHeat® and Connection Validation™. The former involves using a tip, which, instead of a conventional heating element, comprises magnetic alloy, as a result of which the skin effect occurs. What basically happens is the induction of currents which rapidly heat up the tip surface by means of high frequency electromagnetic radiation. As a result, the soldering element is ready to work very quickly. The other technology patented by Metcal, Connection Validation™, involves automated validation of the solder joints made. Thanks to the bi-directional communication between the cartridge and the power supply unit, which is possible through the proprietary set of sensors, the tool provides feedback to the operator that the ideal solder joint between the workpiece and the PCB is created (thanks to a green LED in the handpiece).

Metcal products available in the TME catalogue include soldering stations, soldering/desoldering stations as well as devices for hot air soldering. There are also many accessories and consumables, such as soldering tips and nozzles as well as tip cleaners. The catalogue also includes replacement parts which allow for repairing and modernising tools on your own (heaters, cables, handles etc.), and, last but not least, fume extractors (with dedicated filters) – a necessary piece of equipment for the workstation on which intense soldering work is done frequently.