Patent ID: 7359207

Claim:
A method of processing a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) having opposed primary and secondary surfaces and having at least one surface mounted component on said secondary surface of the PCBA with through-holes in the PCBA, said method comprising: (a) providing a generally planar stencil having at least one cut-out located and dimensioned to define a protected area on said secondary surface of the PCBA, said protected area conforming to the size and location of said surface-mounted component; (b) positioning the stencil against the secondary surface of the PCBA with the cut-out aligned with the surface-mounted component; (c) applying a masking material to the stencil in the area of the cut-out to cause the masking material to cover the surface-mounted component and to adhere to the secondary surface of the PCBA in said protected area; (d) curing the masking material; (e) removing the stencil from the PCBA; (f) subjecting the PCBA to wave soldering with the secondary surface exposed to the solder to apply solder to the through-holes; and (g) removing the masking material.