In this chapter, I’ll be looking at what’s included in the Weller WXsmart Demo Kit. Keep in mind that this one is packaged for their demonstrations or loaners, and is not what you would expect if you purchased the unit at retail.
Table of Contents
Unboxing Video – Music Edition
As part of the sponsor’s requirements, the review is to contain a two-to-three-minute unboxing video. There’s a lot of stuff in the box, so here’s a video montage of the unboxing set to royalty-free music.
It comes in a nice KKC Koffer custom case, complete with removable wheels and custom foam inserts. While this is a nice touch for a demo-kit, I’m afraid that retail purchasers will probably not get this type of packaging as each element of the system is sold separately so you can “mix and match” to get the system that meets your specific needs.
Unboxing Video – Narrated Version
While that video fits the length requirement, it’s not very detailed as to what is inside. As a result, I cut a second version of the video which includes narration, but is about 10 minutes.
But of course, if you don’t have the time for a video, I’ve also got my regular photographic unboxing focusing on the items included is also available below.
Photographic Unboxing
Rather than focus on the custom packaging, this photographic unboxing looks only at the key components of the demonstration kit.
WXsmart (WXS) Base Unit
The WXsmart base unit forms the heart of the system, being the key piece on the bench that connects to everything else. The unit has a very nice, matte glassy front with a capacitive touch, ESD-safe, colour LCD for its user interface. Two channels with a total power rating of 300W combined allows for running up to two soldering irons or one with a hot air pencil or desoldering tool. These connectors are surrounded by an LED ring light to indicate status. A hardware power switch is located on the bottom left.
While the unit looks modern from the front, they have not eschewed the traditional Weller colour scheme. The right side of the unit has a USB port that can be used with USB storage for firmware updates and loading of settings or with a USB QR barcode reader. The unit is quite heavy and solid – looking through the cooling vents on the side, a toroidal transformer can be seen in the base. This explains why the base unit comes in distinct 120V/230V versions.
The base and rear are cast out of metal, acting as a heatsink. On the rear, Ethernet and serial connectivity are available. A fused IEC power outlet is also present along with a grounding connection. A Wi-Fi interface is integrated inside the unit.
A non-slip mat is placed on the top of the unit where additional tool and accessories can be stored.
The nameplate is placed underneath the unit, which is Designed and Engineered in Germany, Made in Mexico. Rubber feet keep the unit from moving around on the bench.
WXair Unit
The WXair is a matching air and vacuum unit that is required if using air-based tools with the WXsmart. The unit follows a matching design aesthetic, with a hardware power switch in the bottom left and LED ring-lighting around the ports.
The colour of the unit matches the WXsmart.
The rear of the unit features serial connection for linking with the WXsmart using a 6p6c roll-over cable, a footswitch connection and a fused IEC power inlet. The rear also has a vent through which a fan, attached to the main pump motor, can be seen.
The top of the unit has a recessed flat area for which with WXsmart can be neatly stacked on-top of the WXair.
The nameplate is also similarly placed underneath the unit with rubber feet to keep it from moving around on the bench. The unit itself is all-plastic, and is thus quite a bit lighter. It also seems to use a switch-mode power supply and is hence universal voltage. This unit is also Designed and Engineered in Germany, Made in Mexico.
The air and vacuum ports can be twisted open for filter replacement.
WCU Temperature Calibration Unit
The WCU temperature calibration unit allows for the temperature offset to be measured and compensated automatically if connected to the WXsmart using a 6p6c roll-over serial communications cable. The unit is a standalone device powered by a 9V battery and has a monochrome LCD. It uses their “thermocross” thermocouple sensor.
The side of the unit has a button that adjusts the movable post to allow for replacement of the thermocross.
Colour-coded terminals are provided to ensure the correct orientation is observed. If the wrong orientation is used, incorrect readings may result.
Communications and an alternative thermocouple can be connected via ports on the top of the unit.
The battery compartment can be accessed through a removable battery cover. The device is Designed and Engineered in Germany and Made in Mexico.
WXMPS MS/WXUPS MS Handpiece, Tips and Safety Rest
The WXMPS MS is a handpiece rated at 12V/40W with a variety of RTPS and RTMS tips. This is perhaps the most versatile soldering iron in the line-up, suited to ordinary, micro- and pico-soldering applications. The WXUPS MS is its larger cousin, with a 24V/150W rating suited to heavy-duty soldering applications with RTUS tips. The handpiece is made of metal, feels well weighted and balanced in the hand, and is matched with a nicely flexible and fine silicone cable. Each handpiece features an LED light ring near the cable strain relief to indicate temperature status.
The tips provided span a range of applications. Regardless, they all feature a rubberised grip and short tip-to-grip distances for better control. Changing tips is as simple as unplugging one and plugging in another.
A tip stand was provided to allow for storage of tips when not in use.
The matching safety rests are of identical design with a different insert. The insert can be reversed in case it is preferred to have brass wool or wet sponge-based cleaning. While there is a tip rack in the form of holes in the ring, that is seemingly not compatible with these tips, so having a tip stand is advisable.
WXHAP 200 Hot Air Pencil and Safety Rest
The WXHAP 200 is a 24V/200W-rated hot air pencil. The rating is perhaps not as strong as that of mains-based hot air tools which can reach into the 500W+ territory, this tool itself is more slender and precise. The body of the tool itself is made of plastic, unlike the soldering irons.
The hot air pencil has a single button for on-tool control. There is a ring-light to indicate status.
Tips are attached through an adapter collar. The airflow is concentrated into a rather small area, making this most suited for smaller SMD components or working individual joints rather than large chips.
As the tool requires air, the connection consists of both a plug that goes into the WXsmart and a tube that goes into the WXair’s air port.
The safety rest for both air tools are the same, with the exception of the insert. They have a brass-wool insert for cleaning. Tip storage is integrated into the stand.
Series of safety rests of this type can be “interlocked” together with these plugs.
WXDV 120 Vertical Desoldering Tool, Tips and Maintenance Kit
Also included for this review is a WXDV 120 vertical desoldering tool. This is rated at 24V/120W and has a single button on the body for control and an LED indication. The body of the tool is also made of plastic.
As a desoldering tool, the solder catcher filter is located within the tool handle.
Spring-loaded rubber-bungs seal around the filter cartridge to maintain a good seal.
Similar to the hot-air pencil, a connection is required to the WXsmart and the WXair’s vac port. Unfortunately, due to design limitations, it is not possible to use both the WXDV 120 with the WXHAP 200 at the same time.
A number of desoldering tips were involved, including the XDS and XDSL nozzles, where the XDSL versions are longer-life versions with a stainless-steel insert that are slightly less thermally conductive but will last significantly longer in service.
The tips have a twist friction-lock and come with various diameters and profiles for optimal heat transfer and solder removal.
A maintenance kit is also provided to clear out the tips and change them over.
Don’t be deceived – the handle has a “trick” up its sleeve in the form of selectable tools to clear any stubborn solder clogs.
Other Accessories
Weller were nice enough to include a 100gm spool of 0.5mm WSW SAC M1 solder, which appears to be a SAC305-type lead-free alloy. A Weller Erem 622N side-cutter and EC3CSA tweezers were also included.
Conclusion
The Weller WXsmart demonstration kit is a generous offering, packed in a gorgeous custom KKC Koffer wheeled suitcase. While this is great for travelling trade shows and reviews alike, ordinary purchasers should not expect this level of packaging from their purchases as the WXsmart system is very much a mix-and-match system to meet your specific needs.
It would appear that much of the kit is Designed and Engineered in Germany, and Made in Mexico. Included is the WXsmart base unit, a 300W-rated station with a glass front panel which is ESD safe, featuring a capacitive touch colour LCD and two ports for either two soldering irons or one with a hot air pencil or desoldering tool. The heavy base unit uses a toroidal transformer, hence comes in 120V and 230V variants. It features USB-A for devices, serial for on-bench instruments or PC connectivity, Ethernet and in-built Wi-Fi. A matching WXair unit provides vacuum and air for the hot air pencil and desoldering tool. This is designed to sit underneath the WXsmart and is universal-voltage. A WCU adds to the traceability aspect by providing a temperature calibration facility which can automatically set and memorise tip offset temperatures as measured by a thermocross sensor.
With regards to handpieces and tools, the WXMPS MS is perhaps the most versatile soldering pencil suiting ordinary, micro- and pico-soldering requirements using matching RTMS and RTPS tips with a rating of 12V/40W. The WXUPS MS is suited for heavy-duty tasks with a rating of 24V/120W with matching RTUS tips. Both handpieces are metal-bodied, feel well weighted and balanced and feature very flexible burn-proof silicone cable. Safety rests allow for the choice of sponge or brass wool cleaning, although tips cannot be stored well in the integrated tip stand and instead a separate one is used.
The WXHAP 200 is a 24V/200W rated hot-air pencil. It is more delicate than its mains-powered brethren, being more slender and having finer tips suited for smaller components. It has a plastic body and a single button for operation, relying on the WXair for the air supply through a separate hose. The WXDV 120 is a 24V/120W rated vertical desoldering tool which also has a plastic body, single-button operation and relies on the WXair for the vacuum supply through a hose. This tool uses XDS or XSDL (long-life) friction-lock nozzles and a maintenance kit is also supplied with tip changing pliers and tools to clean out solder clogs. Throughout the system, LED ring lights or bars are used to indicate tool status.
Accessories supplied included a 100gm spool of 0.5mm WSW SAC M1 solder, a Weller Erem 622N side-cutter and EC3CSA tweezers.
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This blog is part of the Weller WXsmart Connected Hand Soldering Platform RoadTest Review.