The AxxSolder and AxxSolder Portable Are 3D-Printable STM32-Powered Smart Soldering Stations

Maker Axel Johansson has designed a pair of programmable soldering stations, built around an STMicroelectronics STM32 microcontroller and compatible with JBC C210 and C245 cartridges: the AxxSolder family.

"AxxSolder is an STM32 based soldering iron controller for JBC C210 and C245 cartridges," Johansson explains of their creation. "Two different versions are designed around the same PCB and software: one soldering station based on the JBC ADS stand and one portable version. Enclosures for both station and portable versions are 3D printed."

Both the full-size and more compact portable versions of the AxxSolder station use an STMicro STM32G431KB microcontroller which acts as a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) temperature controller and drives an OLED display with rotary knob as the device's user interface — offering the ability to set a temperature, see the tip's current temperature, monitor power draw over time as a bar graph, and even read the ambient temperature.

"The AxxSolder goes into sleep mode when the soldering iron is not used," Johansson adds of the station's bonus feature. "This happens when the handle is placed in the soldering iron holder or is in contact with the cartridge pull-out bracket on the station. On the portable version an aluminum plate is mounted and allows the AxxSolder to go into sleep when the cartridge or handle rests against it."

Both models use the same handles and cartridges, and differ only in how much room the enclosure takes up. Both run on 9-26V DC inputs, making them compatible with a range of power sources — with Johansson using 12 Samsung INR18650 35E cells in a 3S4P configuration for a fully-portable mains-free soldering station.

Johansson has released design files and source code for both AxxSolder variants on GitHub under the reciprocal GNU General Public License 3.