New Rework and Repair Products

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

 — The rework and repair process requires a specialized set of tools, from hand soldering equipment to board heaters, coating removal systems, handling tools, and other equipment. These new products prevent damage during rework, enable rework of encapsulated components, provide training on solder tip maintenance, and otherwise improve the rework and repair process.Reballing Unit

The Martin 03.1 Reball is a cost-effective stand-alone reballing unit, capable of handing a diverse range of BGAs, as well as QFNs and CSPs. Each process takes only 3 minutes. The simple Rapid Technology soldering profiles apply settings within the permitted thermal limits, heat at the highest advisable thermal ramp rates, and maintain heat within a safe temperature zone. The component, a suitable mask, and fixture are placed into the mini oven. Solder spheres are distributed onto the mask and any surplus balls are poured back into the container. The closed mini oven is placed on the hot air pen and the appropriate soldering program started. Reflow of the solder balls to the component follows once the oven lid is locked down. The Reball-03.1 consists of a control unit, BGA holder, and frames set for different components. The accessories kit includes solder balls, flux pen, solder paste, hook, brush, tape, cutter, and magnifier. MARTIN GmbH, http://www.martin-smt.de

Heavy-duty Vacuum Tweezer

The self-contained Vacula VC-3 pick-and-place tool is activated from the top. Users depress the plunger, place the rubber suction cup on the package to pick and release the plunger, and the part is firmly grasped by the tool. Once the part is at its correct location users release it by depressing the plunger a second time. This ESD-safe unit eliminates contamination from skin oils and handling damage to leads. It suits loading burn-in trays or tinning leads, and easily handles larger packages. This tool includes the 12.7-mm-diameter heavy-duty vacuum pen and two handling tips, a 12.7-mm- and a 15.88-mm-diameter rubber vacuum cup. Optionally, this tool can be used with multiple cup pick-up tips or any cups on a luer slip probe. Virtual Industries Inc., www.virtual-ii.com

Array Package Rework Upgraded

The APR-5000 XL/XLS array package rework system capabilities are enhanced by new software that allows the simultaneous use of inner and outer preheaters, enabling fast and easy profiling. Total productivity was increased by reducing rework cycle time and protecting the component under rework from thermal damage. The new design permits a lower nozzle temperature to achieve the same required temperature at the solder joints or balls while reducing BGA lid temperatures, a significant source of failure by thermal damage. The APR-5000 XL/XLS improves its ability to manage the narrow lead-free process window without using excessive peak temperatures that may damage components, connectors, adjacent solder joints, and the PCB substrate. During the rework process, the APR enables the simultaneous use of the inner and outer preheaters at programmable temperatures. In most applications, the preheater nozzle and reflow top nozzle can be used at the same temperature in the final zones to easily achieve target temperatures. New software on the APR-5000 system simplifies rework for a faster, safer and more repeatable performance, enabling quick, simple profiling. The APR-5000 XL/XLS provides large board capability and performs precise, cost effective rework of a range of PCBs and component types, from large boards up to 622 × 622 mm to components down to 0.51 × 0.25 mm. The package rework system has Split Vision, which allows operators to simultaneously view the opposite corners of a component, including splitting on rectangular components, with high-powered magnification to make placement and registration fast and accurate. OK International, http://www.okinternational.com

Rework Platform

The Expert 10.6XL is a portable, cost-effective rework solution due to its intuitive application, process repeatability and a simple user interface.  It is especially suited to the repair of large PCBs, as found in high value server boards.  The complete rework station includes a new hybrid under-heater, control unit and all cables, all integrated into one attractive housing. This hybrid platform combines both infrared and convection heating technologies to achieve outstanding board temperature uniformity, reducing temperature based PCB distortion to a minimum.  The Expert 10.6XL is available with additional modules such as for flip chips, and all consumables.  MARTIN GmbH, http://www.martin-smt.de

Through-hole Soldering/Desoldering System

The PowerRepair soldering system was designed for professional de-soldering and soldering of through-hole components to PCBs. The unit also can be used for soldering components. The system features mini-wave soldering technology, which is able to desolder/solder components with a high number of pins and with different pin rows (connectors). As an additional benefit, the system features de-soldering/soldering of components with high thermal mass (thick pins, multilayer boards etc.), and is compatible with all lead-free solder alloys. The PowerRepair’s soldering nozzle ensures a high energy transfer rate, including for high-temperature applications. The system also features short repair cycles, even for high-mass components, and low thermal stress for the PCB and the components.  All soldering parameters on the PowerRepair are programmable for a repeatable repair process. SEHO Systems GmbH, www.sehona.com

Conformal Coating Removal System for the European Market

The RemUVa is designed to effectively and safely remove robust coatings from finished assemblies. It has a configurable nozzle to allow working on smaller intricate areas or removal of coating across a larger area with full control over air pressure and micro-abrasion material flow. This, along with its micro-abrasion material, prevents damage to adjacent devices, interconnects, or PCBs. The bench-top abrasion system uses powder to selectively remove conformal coatings including the UV40 from various components on PCBs without causing any mechanical or ESD damage. RemUVa has been developed in conjunction with powder abrasion system designer Crystal Mark Inc. The system is equipped with adjustable powder flow control and air pressure regulation to enable coating removal from pinpoint areas or the entire board surface. The abrasion medium, carbo-blast, is less aggressive than other alternatives.  In situations where conformal-coated components are sensitive to ESD, the RemUVa utilizes a point ionizer introduce a flow of positive and negative ions into the abrasive path at the exit point of the nozzle tip.  To aid the operator, the chamber is also lit with black light making it easier to see the UV-fluorescing coating that is to be removed. As well as producing no VOCs, the abrasive powder is also natural and non-toxic. HumiSeal is a division of Chase Specialty Coatings, an operating division of Chase Corporation, www.humiseal.com

Training Video on Soldering Iron Tip Care

This educational video covers industry best practices for soldering iron tip maintenance.  Divided into three sections, Soldering Iron Tip Care (DVD-15C) is designed to train technicians on how to properly care for soldering iron tips and avoid many of the pitfalls associated with lead-free soldering. The first section provides an overview of tip life issues. Section two details oxidation build-up, recommended tip maintenance and the overuse of tip tinners and other abrasive products. Section three describes the typical mechanisms that damage tips and discusses the recommended procedures to minimize these damaging effects. The training DVD includes a leader’s guide, review questions, IPC training certification documents for students who successfully complete the final exam, and English-language subtitles for hearing-impaired or ESL students. IPC training videos can be used for an unlimited number of students at one facility and are available in DVD format for classroom or digital format for online learning. IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries, www.ipctraining.org

Vacuum Tweezer Tool

The Push Button Vacuum Pen Kit P/N: VV-PEN-KIT-PB Kit is for users with an in-house vacuum system plumed to the work station. This kit includes a normally open ESD-safe push button vacuum handle, 4 feet of 1/16″ ID × 1/8″ OD coiled ESD-safe vacuum hose, a set of nine ESD-safe vacuum tips, and a 1/16″ barbed to 1/8″ NPT adapter to connect to the vacuum supply. Optionally, Virtual Industries’ multiple cup pick-up tips or small-part tips can be used with this system. Virtual Industries Inc., www.virtual-ii.com