In the next few years, it will be hard to find a manufacturer  who will build anything that will not contain SMD’s (Surface Mount Devices). What this means to you, as the service tech, is that you had better be ready for the new technology. Having the proper tools to do the job and the knowledge to use the tools that you choose will be important to your survival in the electronics repair business.

Surface mount technology has been around for a long time, but the tools for R&R (Removal and Replacement) have been slow to be accepted by the service and repair organization. I think mostly because it is hard to justify the price of the better tools when weighed against the price of the average repair. It forces some of the more conservative service centers to look for innovative ways to use the tools at hand to do the work. 

The biggest problem with this is that it is possible to ruin the whole board by not having the right tools. Thereby ruining the whole device that you are working on. This usually presents no problems when the repair cost will be over that of the replacement cost. It becomes a real problem when working on higher priced equipment as opposed to what we call "throwaway" equipment. 

Those of you who plan on staying in the electronics repair business had better be servicing at least some higher priced equipment. That  requires an investment in top quality soldering and desoldering equipment to perform a job worthy of your reputation.

With the Xytronic 626 station you should be able to, very easily and without much expertise, remove and replace most any component. Some of the harder components would be the fine pitch QFP’s (Quad Flat Pack’s) so that is what we will focus on right now. Removal is done by simply applying a good quality paste flux and applying heat from the 626TP Hot Air Station. Preferably with the correct focus hood or tip to match the job, but if not, you can still use the 5mm focus hood that comes with the unit. You just have to move it around a lot more and will probably take longer for removal. 

With the IC Popper, you never have to worry about getting the IC too hot because the IC popper will pop up the IC just as soon as you have solder melt on all leads. You also do not have to worry about pulling any pads, as the IC Popper does not put enough pressure on the IC to pull up a pad because of trying to remove prematurely.


Call 1-800-394-1984 to get the 626TP for 10%off ($584.10) plus 30% off any focus hoods. Focus hoods must be purchased with the 626TP to receive the 30% discount. It is a one time purchase at that price.


Now that you have the IC popped off, it is time to clean the area with a desoldering tool. Start in a circular motion with the desoldering tool perpendicular to the pads and work your way around the pads until all of the solder is removed. Next, I would take an alcohol pad or flux remover and clean up the flux residue. Then take your syringe of solder paste with a blunt tip stainless steel needle or plastic taper tip needle and apply a small bead of solder paste around the outer perimeter of the pads. 

Next take a vacuum pickup tool and locate the proper positioning for the IC to the pads. The solder paste is tacky and should hold the IC in place during re-flow of the solder paste. Positioning of the IC at this point is not extremely critical. If you have at least 50% of the lead on the pad it will correct itself during re-flow. The solder has a terrific surface tension and will align the IC automatically during re-flow. 


Call 1-800-394-1984 to get the 626TP for 10%off ($584.10) plus 30% off any focus hoods. Focus hoods must be purchased with the 626TP to receive the 30% discount. It is a one time purchase at that price.


Next take the 626 hot air handle and adjust the air flow to a point where it will not blow the solder paste during re-flow. This can be achieved by trial and error and then can be set the same way each time you re-flow with that particular tip. What you are really trying to achieve with the solder paste is exactly what has been done during the production of the component or unit that you are working on. 

The secret to proper re-flow with the solder paste is to bring the temperature up to approximately 130 degrees Celsius. (This is called the pre-heat time). Then slowly (about 2 ° C/second) bring it on up to about 170 degrees Celsius. (This is called the Soak Time). Then more rapidly bring it up to 220 degrees Celsius (this is called the dwell time), and remove all heat and let it cool on it’s own without any external cooling. (Of course, this is called the cool time). When the unit is cooled down, do a complete inspection of your piece to see if you are aligned correctly with the proper solder flow on each lead.

I realize that times can be tough in the service business but good tools are essential for survival. It is very rare in the electronics service business to see a successful company who has not made a significant investment in soldering and desoldering tools. We are very happy to be able to offer our professional quality product to our fellow colleagues at such a great price. You can only get this special price on the Xytronic 626 Rework Station by calling 1-800-394-1984 and mention the Newsletter Special.


Call 1-800-394-1984 to get the 626TP for 10%off ($584.10) plus 30% off any focus hoods. Focus hoods must be purchased with the 626TP to receive the 30% discount. It is a one time purchase at that price.

Complete set of Tweezers, IC Popper, Cleaning Brush and SP-1L Focus Hood included in 626TP.