Part 2. Manual THT & Rework (tools, techniques, defect atlas)

Manual soldering and rework are the final human element, demanding professional skill to ensure every repair is reliable and auditable.

We cover the critical steps:

Foundation: Mastering tool control—temperature, tip selection, and dwell time—for robust hand soldering.
Chemistry: Using the correct fluxes and alloys to manage heat transfer and achieve proper wetting.
Rework Control: Structured procedures for fixing complex devices (BGAs, QFNs) using controlled heat and shielding.
Acceptance: Using an objective defect atlas (IPC standards) to confirm the repair is a quality fix, not a cover-up.

Transform operator-dependent tasks into controlled, quality-assured processes.

Hand soldering remains essential for rework, repair, and specialized low-volume assembly, managin...

Hand soldering is a controlled process, but its chemical core relies on the quality and purity of...

Reworking complex surface mount devices (SMD), such as BGAs and QFNs, is one of the most delicate...

Defect evaluation sits at the intersection of quality, speed, and fairness in electronics manufac...

The manual and mixed-technology assembly process — especially THT insertion, wave soldering, and ...

A dedicated section on "The Art of Undoing." How to replace a BGA (Ball Grid Array) using hot air...