Advice on The BGA Rework Machine

[tfm]

Hello,

I am a professor at an University, Electronic Engineering, and I am looking for a rework machine, particularly capable of reliable BGA reworking. I came across The BGA Rework Machine, and its construction and control seemed quite good.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Rework-Machine-Made-Station/dp/B00K4MHUYS
http://www.thebgareworkmachine.com/

However, I haven't really seen many reviews or comments about it, and it is a $2500+ investment. Can any one (owner) provide some information?

[John_ITIC]

Take a look at this one, too. More expensive but the references to NASA made me pick the ZT-7. So far, I have had no trouble with soldering and desoldering BGAs between 15x15mm and 31x31mm. http://www.zeph.com/bgarework_stations_systems_qfn_smd_hot_air_repair.htm

[PlainName]

I know nothing about these, but I am gobsmacked that something of this price requires you to manually nudge a mini-table with legs on around the bench to precisely align stuff! I would have expected at least an X-Y table, preferably with micrometer adjustment.

[tfm]

Take a look at this one, too. More expensive but the references to NASA made me pick the ZT-7. So far, I have had no trouble with soldering and desoldering BGAs between 15x15mm and 31x31mm. http://www.zeph.com/bgarework_stations_systems_qfn_smd_hot_air_repair.htm

Thank you very much for the suggestion.

I haven't read through it, but I'll most likely go for it. Can I ask what is your equipment set? I was considering a ZT-7001 System. I am not sure if a HOT AIR PENCIL ZT-2 would be handy enough to justify the investment. Any other accessory you consider worth?

[tfm]

I know nothing about these, but I am gobsmacked that something of this price requires you to manually nudge a mini-table with legs on around the bench to precisely align stuff! I would have expected at least an X-Y table, preferably with micrometer adjustment.

That caught my attention too, although they seem to go for high quality parts, price vs benefits relationship is a bit odd. Besides, suggestion from John_ITIC showed a more mature, solid solution.

[tfm]

Take a look at this one, too. More expensive but the references to NASA made me pick the ZT-7. So far, I have had no trouble with soldering and desoldering BGAs between 15x15mm and 31x31mm. http://www.zeph.com/bgarework_stations_systems_qfn_smd_hot_air_repair.htm

Any comparison with PDR machines? Those seem well designed and built solutions too.

[John_ITIC]

Take a look at this one, too. More expensive but the references to NASA made me pick the ZT-7. So far, I have had no trouble with soldering and desoldering BGAs between 15x15mm and 31x31mm. http://www.zeph.com/bgarework_stations_systems_qfn_smd_hot_air_repair.htm

Thank you very much for the suggestion.

I haven't read through it, but I'll most likely go for it. Can I ask what is your equipment set? I was considering a ZT-7001 System. I am not sure if a HOT AIR PENCIL ZT-2 would be handy enough to justify the investment. Any other accessory you consider worth?

I have this exact system: http://www.zeph.com/bgarework_stations_systems_qfn_smd_hot_air_repair.htm

I actually picked up a ZT-7 with the Big Grid air bath (lower pre-heater) on Ebay for 50% of new price. I bought it because I otherwise had no way to deal with the BGAs on my newer prototype designs (USB and PCI Express Protocol analyzers). I have bad experience with IR-based systems because of uneven heating; connector can burn while other spots are cold if in "shadow". Supposedly, this is what forced air rework stations do not suffer from. Almost all of the BGA rework systems sold on the market are IR based so the design of the Zephyrtronics system appealed to me. I have not yet managed to burn any boards and it is very easy to remove and resolder BGAs with the ZT-7.

As far as re-balling removed BGAs goes; do not use the Zephyrtronics BGA hot-stencils and jigs for rework. Balls do not get centered on the pads correctly, gets stuck in the stencil etc. Perhaps the non-alignment is due to the airflow from the upper heater element. http://www.zeph.com/reballing_kit.html

Instead, get this type of reball kit and use a hot-plate for reflowing the balls: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bga-Reflow-Tools-Kit-90X90Mm-Reball-Station-Universal-Stencil-Flux-Solders-/131322800143?hash=item1e9372e80f

Here's a summary of my re-balling experiences: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/bga-reballing-stencil/msg748309/#msg748309.

Sorry, I have no knowledge of the PDR machines but since IR-based I suppose not as good as the ZT-7: http://www.pdr-rework.com/

[Shock]

They posted a video right on that page why they have separate fixtures (for flexibility).

[PlainName]

Being independent, swappable, flippable, inclinable and all that other stuff doesn't preclude it also being indexable . I am just surprised that the BGA apparently needs very accurate location, but moving that crable by hand around the bench is apparently accurate enough. The two things don't mesh in my mind. But I haven't used one so...

[tfm]

Being independent, swappable, flippable, inclinable and all that other stuff doesn't preclude it also being indexable . I am just surprised that the BGA apparently needs very accurate location, but moving that crable by hand around the bench is apparently accurate enough. The two things don't mesh in my mind. But I haven't used one so...

This is more or less the same drwaback I saw on The BGA rework machine. I haven't found the NASA document/manual explaining how to do it. They posted a video showing it, but I don't know...