We all have devices we utilize on a regular basis. For instance, most people have cars they drive frequently. Some people have jobs that need specialized equipment they would constantly use. This includes construction tools or custom-made computers.
A device that is constantly being used will need maintenance, repairing or both. Otherwise, such a device will begin to malfunction or stop working at all. This same principle is applicable to mobile phones. The IC in a mobile phone can get damaged due to constant use. Therefore, there is a need for repair. Since a mobile IC is always in constant use, it will definitely need repairs or maintenance. This repair is what we refer to as reballing.
Read further to understand the principle of mobile IC reballing. You will get to know everything about mobile IC reballing kit in this article.
What is Mobile IC Reballing?
IC reballing is a technique that involves repairing a faulty or damaged Integrated circuit in a mobile phone. Reballing is commonly integrated in PGA and BGA chips. Also, reballing can help to other electronic components like capacitors and resistors. The mobile IC reballing is a time consuming process that requires much effort.
If an IC has gotten damaged, reballing is often recommended to save the IC from being scrapped. There are some reasons why you have to reball an IC chip. Mobile IC repair is carried out on mobile phones. The most common reasons a mobile IC reballing is important include:
- The mobile IC is faulty and needs to be repaired
- The solder joint between the IC chip and a PCB have become very loose
- You need to redo or update the IC chip since the PCB is upgraded
The Integrated circuit is a crucial component on your mobile phone. It restricts the functionality of your phone when it gets damaged. However, this component can be fixed.
Reballing involves changing the soldered balls on an integrated circuit chip. BGA circuit design is made to have a contact between the chip and the PCB. As a result of some reasons, engineers need to recreate the ball solder joints. Reballing is a process that simply involves getting rid of old solder balls. These solder balls are then replaced with new ones.
How do you Detect a Damaged IC on your Mobile Phone
It is quite difficult to know if your mobile IC is damaged. However, there are some unusual things you will discover on your phone if its IC is damaged. This includes:
Heat condition
Your mobile IC is damaged if a heat contrast is with closely related IC. When your mobile phone IC unnecessarily heats up when there is a supply of voltage, then your phone is damaged.
Leaked or burnt IC
If your mobile IC has a leaked spot or gets burnt is already damaged. You can easily locate a damaged spot by looking closely on each side of the mobile IC. A burnt IC can never work on your phone.
Open circuit
This is another reason you might have a damaged IC on your phone. Open circuit refers to any incomplete electrical circuit. Your phone IC is damaged if there is an open circuit. Open circuit usually causes a breach in the mobile IC. If you notice an opened mobile phone IC at a point, you have a damaged IC.
Causes of Mobile IC Problems
There are various causes of mobile IC problems.
Power surge
Your IC can become irreparable if there is a high power. For example, an overrated charger can cause a power surge. An overrated charger has a greater amount of current compared to what your phone can take. Furthermore, a power surge may be as a result of your phone being struck by lightning and thunder while it is being charged. Therefore, a power surge that occurred earlier can be the reason why your mobile IC is damaged.
Moisture
This is another common cause of mobile IC damage. When your mobile phone contains moisture, this may cause a damage to your IC. Moisture occurs when water splashes on your mobile phone or when it falls into water. This could cause damage to your IC and other sensitive components of your mobile phone.
Manufacturer defects
IC problem might not happen due to your carelessness, it could be the manufacturer’s fault. If your mobile phone is faulty right from the time you purchased it, there are high chances it has some IC problems.
Mobile IC Reballing Kit
The reballing process isn’t as easy as it seems. When reballing a mobile IC, there are various kinds of supplies and tools needed. The saddest part of this process is that all required supplies and tools are expensive. This is the major reason people don’t carry out reballing at home.
Therefore, you will need a mobile IC reballing kit and a mobile IC rework machine. The mobile IC reballing kit is available online. These tools are what you require when carrying out a mobile IC reballing. The mobile IC reballing kit features all the necessary tools you need to reball a mobile phone IC.
The reballing process requires the use of appropriate standards, tools, and procedures. Also, the mobile IC reballing kit makes reballing much easier and faster. Furthermore, this kit offers almost everything you need for the reballing process. The price of a mobile IC reballing kit varies based on manufacturers.
Why is Mobile IC Reballing Needed?
Integrated circuits offer more durability compared to traditional arrays. However, the connection on the IC chip may become very loose as a result of exposure to harsh conditions or constituent use. A mobile IC may become damaged due to consistent use. Therefore, it is necessary to reball mobile IC to prevent malfunctioning.
The technology market needs upgradation of the mobile IC so as to keep up with the transformation. This is possible to achieve through IC reballing. Therefore, this will enhance the life span of the device. Furthermore, reballing is crucial when the motherboard needs to go through graphic chip up-gradation.
PCBs experience some heating cycles which can make a chip become unreliable. Also, heating can result in solder bridging and as such reballing comes into play. Faulty mobile IC chips needs reballing to ensure they offer optimal performance.
Some of the reasons you need to reball a mobile IC is when there are issues with the solder balls or soldering, a need to update the IC or repair a faulty IC. One easy way to get the mobile IC repaired is by replacing the damaged IC. Replacement is another option you can consider asides reballing.
You will need to desolder and solder the damaged IC using another IC. It is crucial you reball your damaged IC. However, replacement is a good option to put into consideration.
Tools Needed for Reballing
Soldering paste
Solder paste is widely integrated in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards. This paste connects electronic components to pads on the PCB. Therefore, it helps to put the electronic components in place or solder balls on the mounted area.
Solder balls
Solder balls are very crucial when reballing. These are small balls of solder scattered all over the surface of the PCB board. These balls offer contact between the printed circuit board and the chip package. Also they provide contact between stacked packages available in multichip modules.
Soldering iron
This hand instrument helps in soldering parts. It melts the solder metal and allows it to flow to the joints between the electronic components and the PCB. Soldering iron is a heated metal tip and an insulated handle.
Desoldering wire
Desoldering wire soaks all the metal solder in a solder joint to remove all the solder present in the joint. It is also referred to as desoldering wick.
BGA rework machine
This machine supplies the necessary heat needed to remove or attach the BGA chips.
BGA chip stencil
This is a piece of metal sheet that features lots of holes for solder balls. The BGA chip stencil is made of steel. Therefore, you can heat it by using BGA machine or hot air gun to make the process of soldering easy.
BGA chip case
This is a holding stand designed for holding Chips for the purpose of reballing.
Conclusion
Since a mobile IC is always in constant use, it will definitely need repairs or maintenance. This repair is what we refer to as reballing. If an IC has gotten damaged, reballing is often recommended to save the IC from being scrapped. There are reasons why you might require reballing an IC chip.
Reballing a mobile IC can be very difficult because of the tiny fragments present in the IC. Therefore, it is advisable to hire a technician to help you with the reballing process. Reballing a damaged mobile IC isn’t something you can do all by yourself. Therefore, you can hire a professional technician to help you do so.
