Power Tips: How do they work?

The Power Tip Series has the highest thermal performance specifically developed for Lead free applications. These tips offer high performance at low tip idle temperatures, by means of optimizing the conduction of the thermal energy through the tip geometries design. OK International has reviewed it current high running tip range and calculated how well the thermal energy can be transmitted to the solder joint. This is referred to as the "Conductivity Factor"âand is a mathematical equation of the cross section of the tip. (See example below)

The tip far right with the conductivity Factor of CF 0.14 is formed with multiple steps. This reduces its diameter size and inhibiting its ability to conduct thermal energy efficiently to the joint. Where as the tip on the far left has a smooth progressive taper allowing good conduction from the heater source to the substrate. The above diagram is an actual representation of how each tip performed when soldering a 2 layer board (light load) and a 10 layer board (heavy load). The temperature was the same for both tests and a bench mark line added to signify the requirements of Lead free. This show that by maintaining the source temperature (typically 370°C) and just changing the geometries you can achieve much better thermal performance.