Hot Air VS IR BGA Rework Stations
Hot air BGA rework stations: Hot air BGA rework stations use hot air to heat up the PCB components during the project. Several different nozzles guide and circulate hot air to ensure even heat distribution. Technicians can move these nozzles to direct air, allowing work on small, delicate components to get accomplished quickly. The use of air pumps means there will be some level of noise when using a hot air BGA rework station, though many models can run very quietly. Because hot air is an older technology, more technicians have training in using hot air BGA rework stations as opposed to IR BGA rework stations.
IR BGA rework stations: Instead of hot air, IR BGA rework stations use infrared rays and a fixed ceramic heater to heat PCB components. This type of rework station is completely silent. It also involves fewer pieces, which can make maintenance easier. However, depending on the quality of this machine, it may require more frequent maintenance and additional tools to accomplish the desired jobs. Since this is a newer technology, not as many technicians are trained to use IR BGA rework stations.
Both hot air BGA rework stations and IR BGA rework stations have pros and cons, but a big factor to consider is the skill of the technician operating the machine. Precision PCB Services focuses on hot air BGA rework stations because the technology is more firmly established