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Kurtz Ersa Magazine

 
 
 
Rework

Sustainable production – sustainable repair

The future of electronics production relies on sustainable management and efficient repair. With ESG ratings and the “right to repair”, companies such as Kurtz Ersa are providing concrete impetus for optimization – among other things, to successfully minimize rejects. Find out how current rework technologies can also sustainably secure your added value!

In the “rework and repair of electronic assemblies” area, Ersa clearly focuses on customer benefits: Maintaining added value in electronics production. Or as one customer puts it: “The future lies in repairing instead of scrapping.” This approach is becoming increasingly important on the customer side – whether due to legal requirements or internal company initiatives. Large customers in particular are making increasing demands, for example:

 

  • Participation in ESG and CDP* ratings
  • Improvement of scores or achievement of minimum requirements
  • Obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Possible cooperation for circular economy/emission reduction

Right to repair

The new HR 600P high-end rework system with scavenger provides the highest level of automation in the extensive Ersa rework portfolio for efficient assembly repair with a reproducible success rate
The new HR 600P high-end rework system with scavenger provides the highest level of automation in the extensive Ersa rework portfolio for efficient assembly repair with a reproducible success rate

In this context, a number of manufacturers have started to produce regular sustainability reports and strive for a positive ESG rating. At Kurtz Ersa, sustainability is directly anchored in the corporate strategy – the “GoGreen250” initiative aims to achieve the overarching goal of CO2 neutrality by 2029. Progress already achieved is documented in the current Sustainability Report 2023.

With the “right to repair”, the European Union has created Directive (EU) 2024/1799, which focuses on more repair and therefore sustainability in the interests of the consumer. Article 1, paragraph 2 states: “This Directive applies to the repair of goods purchased by consumers in the event of a defect in the goods which arises or becomes apparent outside the liability of the seller in accordance with Article 10 of Directive (EU) 2019/771.” Citizens and companies alike are therefore encouraged to have their electronic products – from smartphones to washing machines – repaired in order to curb the ever-growing volume of electronic waste. It is also possible to repair PCBs at component level.

This is what Ersa rework systems stand for:

  • Solid machine base for the necessary basic accuracy
  • Precise and low-maintenance axis systems 
  • Proven hybrid and IR heating technology 
  • Closed-loop temperature control with contact/non-contact sensors
  • Process monitoring with high-resolution cameras 
  • Integrated or retrofittable non-contact residual solder removal 
  • Intuitive software with user support, documentation and possible MES connection
 

*CDP short for "carbon disclosure project".

Optimized use of energy and resources

With gentle IR or hybrid heating, precise temperature control and a placement quality better than +/- 50 µm, a range of components from 1 x 1 mm to 60 x 60 mm can be desoldered, placed and soldered automatically
With gentle IR or hybrid heating, precise temperature control and a placement quality better than +/- 50 µm, a range of components from 1 x 1 mm to 60 x 60 mm can be desoldered, placed and soldered automatically

For electronics production, sustainability means optimizing the use of energy and resources on the one hand and maintaining the added value of goods already produced on the other. Low reject rates lower production costs and reduce waste. Scrapping faulty electronics in particular is not sustainable for a number of reasons:

 

  • Wasted resources/materials
  • Unnecessarily consumed energy
  • Waste generated

Production and rework

Production systems available today are becoming ever better and more reliable; at the same time, there is a counter-current in terms of greater complexity and, for example, power or packing density. Progressive miniaturization of assemblies, new components and materials are the order of the day, the end products of the electronics industry accompany people in all areas of life.

While standard SMD components are mastered in production today, there are process-related challenges with 01005, QFN, LGA, power modules and large BGA with edge lengths of up to 100 mm. The demands on the accuracy of solder paste printing and component placement are increasing, and the heat process during soldering must be controlled even more precisely. Particularly with very large components, the temperature distribution across the component (ΔT) can have a decisive impact on the quality of the soldering. Parameters that are often not under the direct control of the user, such as the quality of PCB production, heat resistance or solderability of components, are challenging for production.

In the meantime, industries that have not previously dealt with reworking are also working on corresponding concepts. The aim is to produce assemblies, some of which are of high quality, with a low reject rate and to develop suitable strategies in the event of sensible reworking. Rework systems are increasingly being used during production, but are also used in development and pre-production, in service or for assembly upgrades. Modern rework systems are designed in such a way that the assemblies can be processed with the necessary precision and the rework result is on a par with the production result.

 

The SC 600 scavenger module (optional) automatically ensures reproducible non-contact residual solder removal without the risk of mechanical damage due to manual intervention
The SC 600 scavenger module (optional) automatically ensures reproducible non-contact residual solder removal without the risk of mechanical damage due to manual intervention
Image of a cleaned circuit board with ~20 µm residual solder
Image of a cleaned circuit board with ~20 µm residual solder

The rework technology leads to process reproducibility with regard to thermal soldering processes, component handling including paste or flux application and residual solder removal. Substantial operator support through intuitive software is an essential component of a pioneering platform for sophisticated and professional repairs. It implements customer-specific requirements so that the systems can grow with the customer´s tasks in terms of sustainable production over many years.

 
 

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