Get Trained to Manually Rework Electronic Components

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Automated processes can rework a wide variety of electronic components. However, in some cases, trained technicians must manually rework unique components. Would you like to become one of these well-trained technicians? Keep reading to learn more.

There are various tools and devices available for reworking electronic components by such means as through hole soldering and the reworking of surface mounted devices (SMD). However, many of these tools are designed for manual rework, not automated rework.

On the other hand, engineers have redesigned some rework tooling for automated rework, such as reflow equipment. However, they have not yet managed to redesign all reworking tools in this way.

Choosing Tools for Reworking Electronic Components

The choice of equipment a technician uses for reflow is quite significant. This is because soldering and desoldering require different kinds of tools. The technician will need to evaluate the following points:

Techniques

There are various kinds of soldering and desoldering techniques. These include programmable matrix hot/air gas, laser, soldering irons, thermal tweezers and hot bars, and infrared tools. However, certain types of electronic components require the use of particular techniques and tools. This means a technician must change tools and reload programs every time they need to solder or desolder different types of components.

Necessary Modifications

Originally, everyone used all soldering and desoldering systems and tools manually. Therefore, engineers had to modify these tools for automated processes. This also means they had to provide close loop control of preheating and heating stages to meet the requirements of each batch.

Type of Heat Required for Some Components

Some sensitive and fine pitch SMD components need localized and direct heat on legs to reflow the solder joint in order to desolder those electronic components. However, components that have been soldered onto a printed circuit board must be heated completely in order to break or soften the adhesive bonds. Only then can they be desoldered.

The only way to meet these two contradicting requirements is by means of two distinct heat sources. One source will be for soldering and the other for desoldering.

Conventionally, iris focused infrared is better for desoldering, and non-contact fiber-optic or laser soldering is better for soldering. However, laser soldering is not economical. But in no scenario can a single heat source serve both purposes.

Moreover, in an automated system for reworking electronic components, having only a single heat source is ideal.

Method

Many automated rework processes include the solder fountain method for soldering and desoldering. However, this method has its own drawbacks.

To give just one example, let’s say a double-layered printed circuit board (PCB) with insulated jumper wire has SMD electronic components that are not suitable for wave soldering. However, they are located close to a defective through hole component. In the course of automated reworking, the PCB could end up getting damaged. It might even get shorted out.

Exceptions

All automated rework processes come with some exceptions that require only manual rework. The following factors determine the limitations of automated rework:

Defects on the PCB itself related to traces, pads, or vias
Unique electronic components on the PCB that have screws or nuts attached
The lack of gripper or suction tools for handling defective components on the PCB
Various odd components that require new techniques or rework processes

All these limitations of automated processes mostly have to do with technological abilities or inabilities of available rework tools or procedures. They might also be related to new ultra-fine-pitch SMD components, or the design of the PCB.

Therefore, before loading PCBs into automated rework cells, someone who is knowledgable must sort PCBs into repairable and unrepairable categories. The point is that not all rework processes can fix all PCBs because of the factors we have mentioned here. Simply put, manual rework is necessary for PCBs that are unrepairable by automated processes.

Get Trained to Manually Rework Electronic Components

If you are looking for a lucrative and fascinating career, consider reaching out to Advanced Rework Technology Ltd. for training in manually reworking a variety of electronic components.

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