Did you know? 217 °C

SAC305 is 96.5 percent tin, 3 percent silver and 0.5 percent copper. It melts around 217 degrees Celsius, some 34 degrees above the old eutectic tin lead alloy.

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Soldering tips STDC

Soldering and desoldering tips

The STDC series contains desoldering tips and desoldering cartridges for the Metcal MX-DS1 desoldering gun handpiece. Desoldering tips (STDC-003 to STDC-006) mount directly to the MX-DS1 at 357 °C (series 600); bore diameters range from 0.7 to over 1.3 mm. Desoldering cartridges (STDC-102 to STDC-105) are cartridge elements with defined inner/outer diameters of 0.64/1.4 to 1.27/2.03 mm for vacuum desoldering systems.

Model	Type	Inner/outer bore (mm)	Fits
STDC-003	Desoldering tip	0.7 inner	MX-DS1, series 600/357 °C
STDC-004	Desoldering tip	1.0 inner	MX-DS1, series 600/357 °C
STDC-005	Desoldering tip	1.3 inner	MX-DS1, series 600/357 °C
STDC-006	Desoldering tip	(varies)	MX-DS1, series 600/357 °C
STDC-102	Desoldering cartridge	0.64 / 1.4	MX-DS1 cartridge system
STDC-103	Desoldering cartridge	0.76 / 1.68	MX-DS1 cartridge system
STDC-104	Desoldering cartridge	1.02 / 1.78	MX-DS1 cartridge system
STDC-105	Desoldering cartridge	1.27 / 2.03	MX-DS1 cartridge system

⚙ Desoldering tips STDC-003/004/005 - inner diameter 0.7/1.0/1.3 mm matching through-hole drill diameters of 0.8-1.5 mm typical in THT assemblies

✓ Desoldering cartridges STDC-102-105 - cartridge-based, inner bore 0.64-1.27 mm; for standardised drill grids in IC sockets and pin headers

🔥 Temperature series 600 (357 °C) - suitable for lead-free solder (Sn-Ag-Cu) and conventional Sn60Pb40

📦 Do not mix tips and cartridges - STDC-003-006 are direct handpiece nozzles; STDC-102-105 are cartridges in the cartridge system

Typical applications: Desoldering of through-hole components (THT) such as pin headers, DIP ICs, relays and electrolytic capacitors, repair of legacy assemblies with high THT content, rework in electronics workshops with the MX-DS1 handpiece, and volume production with defined drill patterns and vacuum desoldering equipment.

What are Metcal STDC series desoldering tips and what industrial applications do they serve?

Metcal STDC series desoldering tips are precision cartridge-based tools designed for removing solder from electronic components in professional manufacturing and repair environments. These tips operate at 357°C and are specifically engineered for electronics production facilities, PCB assembly lines, and specialized repair services where controlled heat transfer and precise solder removal are critical. The STDC series integrates with MX-DS1 systems and provides consistent thermal performance for high-volume desoldering operations in aerospace, automotive electronics, and medical device manufacturing where component integrity must be maintained during rework processes.

What are the key technical selection criteria for choosing the correct STDC desoldering tip diameter?

STDC desoldering tip selection primarily depends on the component lead diameter and pad size, with available tip diameters ranging from 0.64mm to 2.41mm inner diameter and outer diameters up to 3.18mm. The STDC-003 with 0.7mm diameter suits fine-pitch components, while larger tips like STDC-807 with 2.41/3.18mm dimensions handle power components and through-hole devices. Long variants such as STDC-803L provide extended reach for dense PCB layouts, and the dual-diameter specification system ensures proper vacuum seal formation while accommodating various component geometries in professional electronics assembly operations.

Which international standards and certifications apply to Metcal STDC desoldering tips?

Metcal STDC desoldering tips comply with IPC-A-610 workmanship standards for electronic assemblies and meet IEC 61340-5-1 requirements for ESD-safe handling in electronics manufacturing environments. The cartridge design follows thermal performance specifications aligned with ISO 9001 quality management systems, ensuring consistent heat transfer characteristics at the 357°C operating temperature. These tips are manufactured to support lead-free soldering processes per IPC J-STD-004 flux standards and maintain compatibility with RoHS-compliant manufacturing workflows required in European electronics production facilities.

What are the main differences between standard STDC cartridges and the long L-variant desoldering tips?

Standard STDC cartridges like the STDC-803 (0.76/1.68mm) provide compact dimensions for general PCB work, while L-variants such as STDC-803L offer extended length for reaching components in deep chassis or multi-layer assemblies. The long variants maintain identical diameter specifications and 357°C operating temperature but feature extended cartridge bodies that enable access to components positioned beneath heat sinks, connectors, or in recessed mounting configurations. Both versions utilize the same vacuum extraction system and thermal cartridge technology, with the primary distinction being the extended reach capability of L-series tips for specialized assembly geometries.

What are the installation requirements and system compatibility for STDC desoldering tips?

STDC desoldering tips require installation in Metcal MX-DS1 desoldering systems and utilize the proprietary SmartHeat cartridge connection system for automatic temperature regulation at 357°C. The cartridges feature a twist-lock mechanism that ensures secure thermal and vacuum connections, with each tip requiring proper seating to maintain the vacuum seal necessary for effective solder removal. Installation involves inserting the cartridge until the thermal coupling engages, with the system automatically recognizing the tip temperature profile and adjusting power delivery accordingly for consistent performance across all STDC variants from 0.64mm to 3.18mm diameters.

What are the operating temperature specifications and thermal performance characteristics of STDC tips?

STDC desoldering tips operate at a controlled temperature of 357°C with rapid thermal recovery enabled by Metcal's SmartHeat induction technology. The cartridge design maintains thermal stability within ±5°C during continuous operation and achieves working temperature in under 30 seconds from cold start. These tips withstand ambient operating conditions from 10°C to 40°C and provide consistent heat transfer performance through their copper-iron construction, ensuring reliable solder liquidation across lead-free and leaded solder alloys while maintaining tip geometry integrity through extended use cycles in production environments.

What maintenance schedule and service life should be expected from Metcal STDC desoldering tips?

STDC desoldering tips typically provide 200-400 operating hours of service life depending on solder types, flux residues, and operating frequency in professional electronics manufacturing environments. Daily maintenance involves cleaning the tip bore with appropriate cleaning wire and verifying vacuum flow integrity, while weekly inspection should check for tip wear patterns and thermal response consistency. Cartridge replacement indicators include reduced heat transfer efficiency, visible tip erosion beyond 0.1mm diameter change, or vacuum seal degradation affecting solder extraction performance, with proper storage in ESD-safe containers extending service life between active use periods.

Soldering tips STDC

STDC overview - desoldering tips and cartridges

Selection by bore diameter

Typical applications