Metcal MX5200. Does "simultaneous" mean two users? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pauljmccain
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 04:10:57 am
content: Hello all,I run an electronics company, and I'm considering upgrading our workstations. We solder wires to boards all day.Saw that the MX5200 features "simultaneous" ports. I searched around, but I couldn't find much more of a description than that.Does this literally mean I can purchase one supply and two handpieces, to be shared in full production between two workstations? Or is it just "capable" of that, and can't really handle full production with two users? Any insight would be much appreciated.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 06:20:33 am
content: On MX5200 yes, on MX5000 no (it has two outputs but only one is on at a time). I think...

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 03:16:14 pm
content: It takes ~30 seconds for it to get its wits about it in simultaneous mode, turning on, checking one channel, checking the other, then powering both finally, and they dont recover from changing tips in dual mode as well as one channel mode, (either cycle it though the channels and put it back into dual, wait for it to check again, or just power cycle it) But if youre doing production, same tips, all day, and they arent too hungry, then yes, you can use both at the same time. Can you use the 700 series 0.2" wide tip to solder TO-220 tabs to a ground plane on both at the same time? Probably not. 1 or 1.5mm chisel tips for doing general though hole, probably.The Metcals work better then the newer junk JBC's. We have older JBC units that are tanks and still going just fine, and a bunch of newer ones which live in the drawer because they get screwy. Plus a Metcal always goes to sleep when you put it in the stand. I dont know how many times I came back to my workstation with the JBC tip burnt up because I jostled the table or the cable on the iron just so, and it stopped making good contact with the stand, and it turned on.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 03:26:20 pm
content: You might want to check Thermaltronics as well - I don't think they do a dual-output, but mayeb significantly cheaper than Metcal, and tips are interchangeable

author: pauljmccain
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 03:29:05 pm
content: Quote from: ConKbot on April 20, 2015, 03:16:14 pmGreat feedback, thanks! Sounds like it really depends on exactly what type of work is being done.I have picked up a Metcal 5211 unit and a Thermaltronics 9000 for now to compare.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 03:49:45 pm
content: Hakko also makes compatible RF soldering stationshttp://www.stratesysgroup.com/Product_Reviews/HakkoFX100Single output connector though.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 05:25:32 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on April 20, 2015, 03:49:45 pmI have a feeling the Hakko tips are not interchangeable with Metcal - not an issue if buying from new, but check prices- at least you have 2 sources for Metcal/Thermaltronics, and they've been around long enough that there are often cheap ones on Ebay

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:19:37 pm
content: The TMT2000S I mentioned in another thread is a dual port capable unit. However, not simultaneously.the 5000S and 9000S are not dual portQuote from: mikeselectricstuff onTodayat 01:26:20 AM

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:25:47 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 20, 2015, 05:25:32 pmThey are very cheap. I am tempted to order one and test.http://www.all-spec.com/products/T31-02D16.html

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:29:10 pm
content: My Weller WD2M does drive 2 separate channels at once, up to max 160 watts total. Only drawback is it only shows one temperature at once. The unit is quite fast, small, the temperature can be locked, and it can be programmed by USB with the optional USB interface wich can be usefull for production facilities.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:33:11 pm
content: Quote from: pauljmccain on April 20, 2015, 03:29:05 pmYep, its the 80W output of the unit, that will be the limitation. Ive used said 700 series 0.2" chisel tip for soldering light gauge sheet copper. It stayed at 50-60W the whole time, so obviously that doesnt leave much room for the other iron.If you really need a beefy unit,http://www.okinternational.com/hand-soldering-systems/id-MX-UK3/Upgrade_Kit_Dual_Hand-Piece_and_Workstanduses dual shaft tips, either 40w/40w with a single base station, or 80w/80w with 2 base stations.