Hi Yannick,

I have little trick I've learned with the AirVac PCBRM-12 that I have here, and can be used with any solder fountain. You can remove most, if not all solder from the holes without needing to use a solder extractor.

The AirVac does have a device that will blow compressed air over the location of the part you're removing to clear the solder, but you need to have the rubber boot that goes over the end of the tube that matches the size of the part to use that method.

I've run across some parts that I had to rework, and I didn't have the proper sized boot. I first remove the part, then place the location back over the solder fountain filling all the holes and ensure that all the solder is liquid in all holes. I them remove the board from the fountain and quickly tap it. The solder will drop out of most of the holes, with a little practice you can clear all the holes.

Solder extractors can be notorious for lifting pads if not used properly by skilled operators. When an extractor has to be used, you don't want to extract the solder from holes right next to each other, one right after another. Do one hole, and then go to another hole that is a good distance away from the hole you just worked on. This keeps the heat from building-up to the point where a pad is easily lifted.

-Steve Gregory-


Hello Yannick,

I have found the easiest way to remove a PGA (worked with lots of them in the late 80's at Unisys/Burroughs) is with a "mini wave". Sort of a tiny wave solder pump with nozzles that form a shape approximating the size of the device. Once you've removed the component, the holes need to be cleared out using a vacuum solder extractor, then replacement of the device performed by hand soldering. Replacement could be performed with the "mini wave" but it is very operator dependent.

Regards,

Ed Popielarski
QTA Machine
10 Mc Laren, Ste D
Irvine, Ca. 92618

Phone:949-581-6601
Fax: 949-581-2448
Cel: 949-337-2578

WWW.QTA.NET


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