Bead Probe Repair
Occasionally a bead probe may not be formed during manufacturing and that bead probe is needed at board test. Replacing the missing bead probe is simple when the correct amount of solder paste is placed on the bead probe site, the surfaces are solderable and reflow is controlled, but bead probes are very small. Manually controlling the amount of solder paste applied is very difficult. Insufficient paste means no bead probe, and too much paste results in a huge bead probe which may not probe well (see below.)
Manually Applying Solder Paste
A Huge Blob of Solder Paste
A Very Large Bead Probe After Reflow
How can this process be fixed?
Missing Bead Probe Repair:
The Bead Probe Repair Stencil Process
Presentation
Diagrams and photos of repairing a missing bead.
/Documents/Bead Probe Repair-Missing.pps
Video
Real time video of repairing a missing bead.
The Bead Probe Repair Stencil
Caber Contacts LLC has developed a very small disposable stencil which controls the amount of paste applied to the bead probe site. The stencils are disposable: There's no cleaning or maintenence needed and they're ESD safe. Each stencil has two precision punched apertures of different sizes, allowing repair of smaller or larger bead probes. Pressure-sensitive adhesive on the stencil holds it in place while applying the solder paste. You get the right amount of solder paste in the right place for repair!
Products
Bead Probe Repair Stencil Instructional Video
(on CD in .wma format)
$50.00 each
Bead Probe Repair Stencils (patent pending)
Quantity Price Each
50 $1.00
100 $0.80
200 $0.65
500 $0.50
1000 $0.40
2000 $0.30
FOB Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Shipping: Method specified by buyer
Terms: Net 30