Circuit Board Repair and Rework Guide > 8.0 Rework Procedures > 8.2.2 Component Removal, Surface Mount Chip Components, Hot Tweezer Method

8.2.2 Component Removal, Surface Mount Chip Components, Hot Tweezer Method

Printed Board Type: R/F/C | Skill Level: Intermediate | Conformance Level: High | Rev.: D | Rev. Date: Jul 7, 2000

Outline

This procedure covers one commonly used method for removing surface mount chip components.

Note
The goal when removing any component is to remove the component as quickly as possible.

Caution - Glued Components
A small dot of epoxy is often used to hold chip components in position during wave soldering processing. Typically these components will be located on the bottom side of a circuit board that has through hole components located on the other side. Whenever you see a board like this, you can generally assume that the chip components will be glued onto the board. You'll need to leave the tip on the component for one or two additional seconds in order to transfer enough heat to overcure or soften the adhesive. If required take a wooden stick or curved tweezers and push the component sideways until the glue joint finally gives way.

Surface Mount Chip Component

Acceptability References
IPC-A-610	12.0	Surface Mount Assemblies
Procedure References
CTC	2.1	Handling Electronic Assemblies
CTC	2.2.1	Cleaning, Local
CTC	2.2.2	Cleaning, Aqueous Batch Process
CTC	2.5	Baking and Preheating
CTC	7.1.1	Soldering Basics
CTC	7.1.2	Preparation For Soldering
IPC7711	3.3.2	Tweezer Method

Tools and Materials
Caliper
Cleaner
Flux, Liquid
Hot Tweezer Tool with Tips
Microscope
Solder
Wipes

Note
Determine the direction the part is to be swept off the circuit board surface. Densely packed circuit board assemblies often leave only one direction for the rework tool to follow when sweeping the part off the surface.

When solder melts, lift component off circuit board.

Figure 1: Place the tweezer tips in position. When the solder melts, lift
the component off the circuit board.

Chip Capacitors generally have solid color bodies.

Striped or beveled end is positive (+) or anode end.

A - Stripe
B - Beveled Surface
The striped or beveled end is
the "positive" (+) or "anode end".

1.	Tin the hot tweezer tip.

2.	Apply a small amount of liquid flux to both ends of the component.

3.	Place the tweezer tips in contact with both ends of the component. When the solder melts, lift the component off the circuit board. (See Figure 1).

4.	Clean the area.