Automatic Soldering Iron
(3D printed plastic and metal, 2022)
This is a wireless 3D-printed device powered by two 3-volt watch batteries. Using a gear motor and small ball bearings, it is capable of pulling a spool of solder to be melted by the soldering iron. The device's speed is controlled by the potentiometer (knob) at the back. To start and stop, press the button on the side, and to heat it up, use the button on top.
Figuring out a functional extrusion mechanism for the solder proved to be more complicated than expected and required significant testing and ideation to find its solution. Eventually, the gearbox prevailed; however and I learned that plastic and grip tape were more effective in wire extrusion than, say, metal and plastic or plastic and plastic.
Adding a speed controller to the model was a stroke of genius, to be sure. And sizing down the batteries was a necessary improvement.
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I drew this to serve as my main blueprint for the device once I had sufficient research and preparation of the required elements to mock up a quick rendering.
Proof of Function
