Brad, I think you've hit the nail on the head...When I first began incorporating SMT components to my designs, (NASA GRC, circa 1997/8/9) I also bought one of these ~1K rework stations, (A Hakko as I recall), but then I had to come up with a magnifier, fixturing: (PCB holders, microtranslation stages, component placement fixtures, etc.), a better way to control temperature and airflow...I think these gizmoes are fine for a compact, low-cost, desktop engineering station, ie, low count prototyping on relatively insubstantial components, but I wonder if they're not insufficient for serious work (by serious, I mean no disrespect to anyone, but assembling a board using multiple high-pin-count component using what is essentialy a hobbyist tool is not very sensible when working on say, a NASA "flight" board or military contracts...)
Let's put it this way, do you want the electronics for the radiological delivery system that's being used to treat your cancer built by some guy with a nine-year old Sears Solder gun? You may not care, and if he/she's a master, perhaps it doesn't matter, but if that get's translated to some IQ=95, CunningQ=140 ISO idiot's palette of tools, then we're all doomed. We already have enough of that going on. And for those of you putting them to good use, please forgive my tone... I know as well as you do that it often isn't the hammer that you own but how you use it that results in quality or lack thereof...I just know from experience that using inexpensive tools often results in an inverse need for tedious setup, non-repeatability issues, and a degree of meticulous detail in exectuing the processes that is contrary to the business model of "production"...Oh, and stress up the wazoo for he who has to make it happen... Oh, and for a moment...back to the NASA story...never got the translation stage, fine temp control, or any decent fixturing...though I was offered limited use of the pro-level unit that we had over in the Space Experiments Lab, a 15 minute walk from my office/lab...It became an SMT tackdown tool and de-solderer. All final soldering was done using a small tipped, temp controlled iron. regards, aj >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Riley, Andrew >Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 12:38 PM >To: Protel EDA Discussion List >Subject: Re: [PEDA] Hot Air reflow stations. > >Brad, > >Regarding BGA inspection; >Our board house uses >http://www.olympusindustrial.com/index.cfm/page/products.index. >cfm/cid/1 >297/navid/284/parentid/2 >Among other things. > >Cheers! >Drew > > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >On Behalf Of Brad Velander >Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 9:29 AM >To: <snip> Protel EDA Discussion List >Subject: Re: [PEDA] Hot Air reflow stations. > >Hi Guys, > Well I guess a little more info would be helpful. Seems >everybody is typically mentioning cheaper little stations. >Maybe they are fine but I suspect they don't go far enough for >what we are looking for. I have never used any of these things >so pardon my ignorance. > > What we will typically be using it for reworking your >regular assortment of QFPs, QFNs, SOIC, TQFP, PLCC and TSOP >devices. A fair number of devices that give us the greatest >difficulties are the ones containing a central Tab pad under >the device (and there are becoming more of these each day). >There would/could be some attempts to use it for BGAs but they >are not the largest concern because we have no way to inspect >BGAs anyway. Most devices don't give our people much trouble >until it comes to those with the central thermal pad. So we >believe that what we are looking for would probably best >include a hotplate to assist heating the board from >underneath, then the regular assortment of air nozzles/hoods >with some form of vacuum nozzle to pick the device off the >board as it is freed. > > The engineer looking at this has commented that he is >thinking we may have to get a Metcal station that costs >approx. $70K. I told him I had seen various comments from >members of this group so I would make an enquiry for him. > >Sincerely, >Brad Velander >Senior PCB Designer >Northern Airborne Technology >#14 - 1925 Kirschner Road, >Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4N7. >tel (250) 763-2232 ext. 225 >fax (250) 762-3374 > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Darren Moore [<snip>] >Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:50 PM >To: 'Protel EDA Discussion List' >Subject: Re: [PEDA] Hot Air reflow stations. > >Hi Brad, > >Too remove, replace BGA type components I guess ? > >Regards, >Darren > > >____________________________________________________________ >You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum > >To Post messages: >mailto:[email protected] > >Unsubscribe and Other Options: >http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com > >Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > This e-mail transmission and its attachments may contain information from Avtron Manufacturing, Inc. that is proprietary, privileged and/or confidential and is intended exclusively for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any use, copying, retention or disclosure by any person other than the intended recipient or the intended recipient's designees is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete all copies. ____________________________________________________________ You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum To Post messages: mailto:[email protected] Unsubscribe and Other Options: http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
