BGA Inspection camera - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 12:11:24 pm
content: I'm looking for a camera to inspect BGA on-the-cheap as X-Ray machines are too expensive and hard to buy.These cameras look to be great for fast inspections.BTW, I have not found a single topic on eevblog mentioning these cameras. I'm the first?I've found a few from multiple vendors/re-distributors like these:-https://optilia.eu/products/bga-flexia/bga-inspection-systems/-https://www.inspect-is.com/bga_prox/-https://www.kurtzersa.com/products/electronics-production/optical-inspection-systems-https://www.inspect-is.com/bga_prox/They look all the same. So I'm trying to find the original vendor or places in Europe selling them, with no luck.Does anybody know who is the original seller?Edit: Added last link from inspect-is. Looks like they may be the original seller as the PC software are from them.

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 12:23:54 pm
content: Quote from: LuisCRSousa on March 21, 2022, 12:11:24 pmThe first of your links (optilia.eu) is in Sweden ?(do you know the approx. prices of these ?)

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 01:57:19 pm
content: I asked for a quotation and still waiting

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 02:38:56 pm
content: In my opinion:1) BGA inspection is not really required if the soldering process for the device is correct2) We are using Loctite flux GC-10 and love this product - no refigeration required; 12 month shelf life; works well for our tested 16 ball 1.4*1.4mm FPGA (Lattice ICE40UL1K) soldering.3) Consider to post the same request on SMTNET.com website as there are many similar support engineers on that forum4) An X-ray tool may not be that much more than this inspection equipment and can also serve to allow you to X-ray parts to detect counterfeits. Perhaps even support SMD reel parts counting. Check out Seamark (Shenzhen, CN). They supply the large players including Foxconn and others. We purchased their high end BGA rework station (supports down to 0.5*0.5 LED soldering / desoldering) and they manufacture X-ray tools. Can post contacts on demand at their factory.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 03:05:37 pm
content: I remember seeing these side viewing camera rigs on Blundells site in the past, presumably Ersa ones. They don't list them now but that doesn't mean they or another Ersa distributor local to you wouldn't source them if asked. In many ways @mon2 is right tho' if your process is right BGA is in theory quite forgiving and can self correct shitty placement and may even tolerate low paste deposits, provided there's enough activated flux about to create a good IMC between ball and PCB. Without X-Ray you won't know about issues like head-in-pillow anyway. How concerned you should be, would depend on the the volume, the value of the BGA/Assembly, how much you trust the BGAs storage history, how well you look after your paste and how good your process is in general. If you were running a really low end line with questionable reflow stability and a pot of paste you use over the course of months .. I would suggest you would see issues more often than a volume manufacturer.Seamark is widely sold by resellers (sometimes at a hefty markup) who seem to trust it and have happy customers, they also seem quite happy to bypass their distribution and sell direct...

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 03:51:06 pm
content: Quote from: mon2 on March 21, 2022, 02:38:56 pmThanks a lot for your reply.1- I'm researching one of these machines because I have a few dozens of 288 balls BGA that don't work (some work). And we know that the problem is the bga. This machine will help us to improve the paste and soldering process.2- Is not the first time someone recommends me that one. Will certainly order some.

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 03:55:57 pm
content: Quote from: SMTech on March 21, 2022, 03:05:37 pmThanks a lot for your suggestions.We are manufacturing this board at home, so this machine would help us to detect what we should improve.

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 08:26:47 pm
content: May I ask if you are soldering this BGA in a reflow oven or using hot air tools ?If using hot air tools, an underside preheater is recommended. We have a 9 zone SMT oven (Heller 1809EXL) in the building which has served us well, so far for our BGA devices. Aside from some rough starts with this purchased new equipment - it was built in Shanghai so some corner cuts were made but we have resolved all issues.

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 08:54:06 pm
content: Quote from: mon2 on March 21, 2022, 08:26:47 pmI've done it with both reflow oven and also with pre-heater and top IR heater. Successful tax rate is similar to both from the last batches.

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 09:31:15 pm
content: Were the BGA devices sourced from a reliable vendor ? That is, you can trust that they are not fakes ? The BGA devices are factory fresh and not reballed from offshore suppliers ?If the BGA devices are not very large, can you apply flux and reflow the device and then have a working PCBA ? I am on the badcaps forum and we are constantly reflowing parts for Apple macbook / imac repairs to limit e-waste.Large devices will demand a BGA rework station but curious to know if it is the process or are these open boxed BGA devices that perhaps need to be baked before use ?What is the BGA ball pitch of your device ? We have soldered 0.4mm pitch WLCSP devices with the Loctite solder paste.What is the size of your BGA (x y dimensions) ?A process that may work for you on the rework is to use a hot air tool with AMTECH flux (honestly we know we have clones from Aliexpress but the goofy Amtech company is charging ~$30 in Canada for a small amount of their flux so no thanks) -> hot air till the balls are melting then nudge it slightly with tweezers. Louis (youtube) calls it 'make the BGA dance' move. Do this 2-3 times and the balls will align like soldiers. Really curious to know if this will work for you. Only attempt this if the BGA is not very large in physical size. Otherwise, a BGA rework station is recommended.We do macbook repairs here with PMIC and similar WLCSP devices with success. Need to be careful of thermal shocking the device as well.On the non-working devices -> any damage to the top surface ? AKA 'pop corn effect' where moisture is inside the BGA and then SMT oven / heat process cracks the top open. Have seen this with some of our older SMT contractors. They did not understand the process where the BGA / TQFP devices needed to be slowly baked to draw out the moisture BEFORE using on the SMT oven process.

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2022, 11:14:37 am
content: QuoteWe sourced the chips from Mouser/digikey and we're pretty sure they are not fakes. Fresh reballed. We also tried with and without the paste on the pcb pads using the stencil. Some work and some do not work using both processes.QuoteAlso did the reflow. Just one PCB started to work after applying new flux and reflow.QuoteThe chip is a PIC32MZ 288 pins 0.8mm pitch, 15x15mmQuoteThis is funny because I just brought my personal amtech flux from home to try it here instead of the one that I was using.I love the reference to the Louis "dance move"I actually do that every time in at least 2 corners, that's the way I'm sure the balls are good to go.I'll do a few more experiments with the amtech flux today ansdlet you know later today how it went.BTW, thanks a lot for your help. Never received such a good help before

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2022, 11:23:35 am
content: Meanwhile, I received one reply from one of the companies above about a quotation for the BGA inspection camera.Not trying to bash anyone but they replied to me like:- "We don't know what exactly your activities are, can you let me know more?"- "Our clients are normally specialists labs like satellite assemblies"- "Probably too expensive for you"Looks like it may be too expensive for meI thought it could be 1K/2K€ max but when the seller clients are “satellite companies” the real price will have a few more 0's than expected

author: LuisCRSousa
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 05:54:38 pm
content: Update.Ordered a new fresh paste and flux and all issues went away