Patent ID: 6216938
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: B23K,H05K

Abstract:
An apparatus for reworking a defective printed circuit board (PCB) having solder-plugged plated through holes (PTHs), said apparatus for cleaning said solder from said solder-plugged plated through holes, comprising:movable supporting means for carrying said defective PCB to be reworked;air supplying means disposed adjacent solder-plugged plated through holes carried by said defective PCB for providing air under pressure to said solder-plugged plated through holes of said defective area of said PCB to remove excess solder from said solder-plugged plated through holes of said defective area, and to cool said PCB;heat protective means surrounding said defective area of said PCB to prevent solder splashing upon, and damage to, non-defective areas of said PCB;heating means disposed below said PCB for locally heating said defective area to cause the solder in said solder-plugged plated through holes to melt; andcontrol means operatively connected to said heating means and to said air supplying means, said control means operatively controlling said heating means and said air supplying means in a proper operational sequence, so that said heating means is removed during an excess solder removing and cooling cycle.