Jeffrey, we have had the VPI-1000 in house for a few months now, and overall it is a very useful tool. With it, you are able to inspect BGA's for shorts, and the first three rows of balls for wetting. The only downside we have seen is that the software could use some refinement (Metcal is working on this), and the mirrors aren't very robust. Metcal is currently supplying free replacement mirrors until they can implement improvements. Dave -----Original Message----- From: McGlaughlin, Jeffrey A [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 5:23 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Metcal BGA Rework/Prototype station We are at the beginning of a new fiscal year and looking at new "toys", and the two that have caught our eye are the Metcal APR-5000 BGA/CSP rework station and its companion the VPI-1000 BGA inspection system. Are any of you using these systems? Opinions as to their quality, usability, and reliability would be welcomed. TIA, Jeffrey A. McGlaughlin CID Sr. Designer Battelle Memorial Institute Columbus Ohio [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------