VPG MICRO MEASUREMENTS Mark V Assembly Instructions
Operating and Maintaining the Mark V Soldering Station
Document No.:11144 1 of 3 ID: BUL11144
Instruction Bulletin B-144-7
Operating and Maintaining the Mark V Soldering Station
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Mark V Soldering Station is designed to provide
precision and ease of operation for delicate soldering
applications, particularly strain gage installations. The
Mark V consists of a control unit, soldering pencil, and a
general-purpose screwdriver-style tip. The standard
115Vac, 50-60 Hz, control unit can be converted to 230
Vac operation by simple adaptation (see wiring diagram
on the inside cover of the unit). It is rated at 25W, with
overload protection afforded by a fused power supply. A
17-position selector switch regulates power to the heating
element, and a 6-ft [1.8 m] 3-wire grounded line cord
eliminates potential shock hazards.
Although the 1.1-oz [31-g] pencil is rated at 25W, the 12V
fast-recovery element outperforms conventional 40W and
50W irons. It is isolated from the main power supply to
prevent electrical damage to the gage. A Teflon heat
shield and flexible burn-resistant cord enhance operation.
Four styles of easily replaceable tips are available. Each
tip is of one-piece construction. Three of the tips are pre-
tinned, iron-clad, solid copper, with the tip shank over-
plated with nickel/chromium to retard oxidation during
continuous use. The fourth tip is a special nickel-plated
copper designed to minimize loss of tip tinning at highest
temperature settings. The design of each tip provides the
high thermal capacity needed to take full advantage of the
fast heating-element recovery rate. Refer to Micro-
Measurements Catalog A-110 for a description of each
tip.
Read through the following instructions thoroughly before
operating the Mark V Soldering Station.
OPERATING PROCEDURE
Setup
1. Check the heater selector switch for ease of rotation
through all 17 heat positions. As a precaution, reset the
selector switch to 7 or 8 to eliminate the possibility of an
inappropriately high temperature setting.
2. Adjust the soldering tip to a snug, but not binding, fit;
carefully insert the pencil element to the full depth of the
tip cavity. To tighten, remove tip from element and gently
squeeze the slotted shank with fingers or small pliers. To
loosen, remove tip from element and gently spread
slotted shank with a wedged instrument, such as a small
screwdriver blade. To prevent rotation and possible
damage to the heating element within its tubular handle,
always use a straight pulling motion to remove tip.
3. A prerequisite to proper soldering is adequate tinning
of the soldering tip. To ensure that the tip is properly
tinned, prepare the clad surface, prior to initial use, by
wrapping 2 to 3 in [50 to 75 mm] of solder wire around the
soldering portion of the tip. If rosin core solder is used, no
external flux is required; however, if uncored solder is
used, dip the wrapped tip into M-Flux AR so that sufficient
flux is available for initial tinning.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Cross-alloying of solders can change the electrical,
chemical, thermal and mechanical integrity of the solder
being used. To prevent cross-alloying of solders, it is
recommended that only one type of solder be used with
each tip.
2. Never power the heating element without a soldering
tip in place.
3. Do not use the soldering pencil with any power source
other than the Mark V control unit.
4. Warranty is void if:
(a) An anti-seize compound is used to lubricate the tip.
(b) The heating element is twisted.
(c) Pliers are used to grip heating element.
(d) The unit is operated without a tip in place.
Operation
1. Connect the soldering pencil to the control unit. The
connector on the front panel of the unit is keyed to
maintain the proper power supply polarity to the pencil
element.
2. Set the selector switch to the melting range of the
solder being used.
3. Turn the control unit on and allow to heat until the
solder wrapped around the tip melts completely. Remove
excess melted solder from the tip with a gauze sponge.
Never knock or rap a heated iron on any surface to
remove excess solder.
To retard oxidation of the tinned, clad surface, reapply an
excess of solder to tip between use. It is normal for the tip
Operating and Maintaining the Mark V Soldering Station
Document No.:11144 2 of 3 ID: BUL11144
Instruction Bulletin B-144-7
to loosen slightly after initial use; if this occurs, turn the
control unit off and readjust per previous instructions.
Troubleshooting
If the solder does not begin to melt within several
minutes, check the indicator light on the control unit. If the
lamp is not lit, turn the unit off; check the power line for
proper voltage, and check the fuse on the back panel for
continuity.
If the iron takes longer than five minutes to reach full heat,
check the internal transformer connections to be certain
they are set for the correct line voltage. If the transformer
connection appears normal, disconnect the polarized plug
from the control unit and recheck the fit of the soldering
tip. A loosely fitting tip may retard heat transfer from the
heating element to the soldering tip.
The element may be checked for continuity with an
ohmmeter. If an open circuit is detected or the resistance
is less than 5 ohms, return the pencil to Micro-
Measurements for repair or replacement.
MAINTENANCE
The Mark V Soldering Station requires little maintenance
when operated under normal circumstances and
according to directions. The soldering tip should be
cleaned prior to each use by removing the tip and tapping
the open end lightly on a hard surface to dislodge any
oxidized material on the inside. Proper tip maintenance
will prevent the tip from seizing on the heating element
through continued use. Periodically tighten all screws
and inspect cables and strain-relief clamps.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Micro-Measurements warrants the Mark V control unit for
a period of two years, and the soldering pencil for six
months, under normal operating conditions, against
defects in workmanship and material. Warranty does not
cover normal tip wear or damage due to improper use.
Adjustment will be limited to repair or replacement of any
parts which Micro-Measurements warranty inspection
determines to be defective.
HELPFUL SOLDERING HINTS
High Temperature Soldering
When using +570°F [+300°C] high-lead solder, the M5S-
D soldering iron tip is recommended. If either the A, B, or
C tip is used, it may be difficult to keep the tip properly
tinned, particularly if long idling periods are involved. If
one of these tips will be used with +570°F [+300°C]
solder, performance can be improved considerably by
carefully filing of the iron cladding, and tinning the
exposed pure copper tip. This practice should not be
followed with high-tin solder alloys, because the molten
solder will quickly erode pure copper tips.
When the soldering iron is idling at an elevated
temperature, keep the working surface covered with
molten solder. For extended idle periods, reset the
selector switch to 7 or 8 to retard oxidation and erosion of
the copper.
Inconvenient Gage Locations
To allow soldering in inconvenient gage locations, it may
be practical to bend the iron-clad tip to a more appropriate
shape. After removing the tip from the element, a mandrel
of 1/2-in [13 mm] diameter or more may be employed
without damaging the clad surface; a smaller diameter,
however will cause cracking and shorten the life of the tip
considerably.
If special applications require modifications to the tip
configuration, remove the cladding and file to the shape
desired, always producing a flat working surface. A
conical point may damage the strain gage foil, produce
high local heating, or tend to lift the solder from the gage
tabs.
Cleaning and Re-tinning Oxidized Tips
Negligent maintenance practices, or wiping with materials
that char on the soldering tip, will produce a buildup of
oxidation that impairs soldering. Following is the
recommended procedure for cleaning and re-tinning tips:
1. Set the selector switch to the appropriate temperature
for the solder being used.
2. Place several drops of M-Flux SS on a glass plate.
3. Re-tin the tip by holding it in the SS Flux while feeding
solid core solder. Avoid inhaling the fumes. A generous
amount of solder is essential.
4. Wipe with gauze sponge.
If tinning is not uniform, gently abrade the tip surface with
220- or 320-grit silicon-carbide paper and repeat Steps 1
through 4.
Operating and Maintaining the Mark V Soldering Station
Document No.:11144 3 of 3 ID: BUL11144
Instruction Bulletin B-144-7
Application Notes
Application Notes TT-609, “Strain Gage Soldering
Techniques,” TT-603, “The Proper Use of Bondable
Terminals in Strain Gage Applications,” and TT-606,
“Soldering Techniques for Lead Attachment to Strain
Gages with Solder Dots,” are available on request. The
methods outlined in these Application Notes apply to
numerous strain gage applications.
The various installation accessories referred to
throughout this Instruction Bulletin are Micro-
Measurements Accessories, listed in Catalog A-110 and
available directly from Micro-Measurements.
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