Questions to Ask When Salvaging Components

Have you heard this one before? A manager walks into a meeting and is told that one million dollars' worth of circuit assemblies must be scrapped because of... fill in the blank. Yee Gads! How could that happen? There are many reasons why circuit boards are scrapped, and it is safe to say that none of them are good.

At Circuit Technology Center, we're in the business of saving circuit boards. We can correct most design and fabrication errors or physical damage that would cause a board to be scrapped.

However, circumstances beyond rework and repair can render a circuit board non-functional. Does that make that circuit board worthless junk? Maybe not. 

In the unfortunate event a board is no longer useful, you still may wish to salvage some of the more valuable components for reuse elsewhere. 

The Mechanics of Salvage
Disassembly of faceplates and hardware is a fairly routine operation; carefully using a screwdriver and nut driver, or two, will quickly yield a cost-saving inventory of valuable materials for future applications.

Recovering the soldered components from the board safely and in a condition for reuse is a bit more challenging; however, component salvage or reclamation is becoming more commonplace, and the value of many of these components provides easy justification for the effort associated with reclaiming them.

When reviewing applications for component salvage, it is important to understand all the requirements. "The devil is in the details" certainly holds true here; sometimes, the littlest things can complicate the process. Important questions to ask yourself when considering a salvage project. 

What environmental elements have the circuit boards and components been exposed to? What is the moisture sensitivity level?
If the circuit boards and components were newly assembled and in a controlled environment, the need to bake the components before exposure to the reflow process for removal from the circuit boards would probably be eliminated.

If the circuit boards have been stored in open air, or are field returns, or the moisture sensitivity level of the components requires it, a pre-bake of the components will be necessary before exposure to reflow temperature to prevent damage due to moisture entrapment.

Are the circuit boards and components conformally coated, or is there an underfill applied?
The impact that conformal coating and underfill have on the component salvage process can be significant. The coating type and the stripping process could easily overburden the reclamation effort. 

It is also important to determine the overall area of the component from which the coating must be removed. In most cases, the critical area is typically located on the solderable surface of the component lead, rather than on the component body.

Are there labels to mark components that may not withstand the heating or cleaning cycle?
Sometimes, labels or other markings on components must be protected to prevent discoloration from the reflow process or damage during cleaning. Masking those locations with tape or an insulator may be required to avoid this pitfall. 

What is the ESD sensitivity level?
It's assumed that all components should be handled with proper ESD precautions. There are different levels of ESD sensitivity, and understanding the components you are working with is important. The component specification sheet will typically provide the level of detail you need.

What is the temperature range that the component can withstand?
Component salvage can be completed using various processes, including localized hot air, molten solder on a mini-wave machine, conduction heat from a soldering iron, or a desoldering tool. These are all relatively sound processes when performed by a trained operator. Reviewing the component specification will provide a safe temperature range. 

Will the components be machine- or hand-placed during the upcoming reassembly process?
Knowing the assembly process to be used with the salvaged components is important. If the salvaged components are to be hand-soldered, as opposed to machine-placed, then the criteria for residual solder left on the leads and lead co-planarity can be loosened a bit. Less component touch-up time means a less costly salvage process. If you prefer to use placement machines and your standard assembly process, the components may need to undergo robotic lead refinishing. 

What about packaging, such as trays, tubes, tape, and reels?
Often overlooked is the need for safe packaging of the salvaged components. Several companies can supply new trays and tubes for safe storage. 

The components can also be taped and reeled for machine placement processes. Once again, the component specification will provide the dimensional information needed to select the correct material. Anti-static or conductive foam can be used for power supplies or unusual component configurations when custom packaging is not readily available.

Answering these questions will help establish the quality requirements and set the stage for a successful recovery process.