Thanks for the replies. The PWA must meet IPC class 2 and we typically require class 3 on the PWB. This PWA goes into a piece of analytical equipment that can be used in a dusty environment, but the assembly would rarely be removed from its connector. The current finish is hot air leveled Sn/Pb. I could clear a strip 0.28 ", 0.51" or 1", by removing varying amounts of components near the edge connector but I have concerns about current damage and am unsure of the current involved. This could be a job for brush plating. I guess the good thing is there are only 25 of them. Gary Camac Senior Manufacturing Engineer DICKEY-john Corp. 5200 Dickey John Road Auburn, IL 62616-0010 Telephone 217-438-2288 [log in to unmask] ________________________________ From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 12:07 PM To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; Gary Camac Subject: Re: [TN] Edge connector repair Gary, in addition to the question below on present surface finish are several more (sorry for the "it depends" answer on a Friday) 1. What spec do the final boards have to meet for your use? Do they have to be restored to IPC Class 3, or can they be "will work in the intended application for say two years" 2. You say assemblies - is there any space between the components there now and the edge connector area. I am driving at the ability to apply a temporary bus-bar for electroplating current so all fingers can be corrected at once (the way the fingers should have been built when the bare board was fabricated.) The bus-bar electrically connecting all the fingers is removed late in the bard board manufacturing cycle. 3. If you could apply a temporary bus bar, would that current damage some sensitive devices on the board? That is presuming that any chemical fumes could also be prevented through masking or bagging the balance of the assembly 4. Most likely, you will now have to apply the nickel/gold finger by finger through a technique called brush plating - applying a grounding probe to each finger and then using an electrified brush (sponge?) to each finger. That sponge contains a bit of nickel or gold plating solution liquid that adds the metal where reduction potential exists. There are many repair services that can do this, but one finger repair is much more common than correcting all the fingers. Also, this technique would be hard to certify to a rigid spec like Class 3. Hope this helps Denny Fritz - MacDermid, Inc. -----Original Message----- From: James Mahoney <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:43 pm Subject: Re: [TN] Edge connector repair What's the surface finish you are dealing with? Some hard gold plating lines could handle assembled boards depends on the board configuration. I would think removing the current surface finish will be the biggest challenge. Please update your contact for Jim Mahoney [log in to unmask] Thank you, Jim Mahoney Quick Turn Flex Circuits, LLC Applications Project Manager P# 603-821-6571 F# 603-821-5723 M# 603-305-6250 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> ] On Behalf Of Gary Camac Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 12:39 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Edge connector repair Good morning all, Here's the scenario - I have assemblies that should have Ni/Au plating on edge connector but don't; the assemblies are built; can repairs be made? Thanks in advance, Gary Camac Senior Manufacturing Engineer DICKEY-john Corp. 5200 Dickey John Road Auburn, IL 62616-0010 Telephone 217-438-2288 [log in to unmask] ________________________________ Lose weight like TV's Biggest Loser finalists. Start w/ a FREE Weight-Loss Plan! <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220200127x1201334384/aol?redir =http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B213622551%3B35099622%3Bc> --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------