difference between reballing and reflowing BGA components
Reball or reflow – What is the difference!!
Reball and reflow is often banded about when repairing circuit boards more often that not for Xbox, PS3 or graphic chips on laptops
What is reflow
Some companies offer a process called Reflow, which essentially means what it sounds like, you are reflowing the solder back into a ball therefore removing the crack. Only problem is the solder is the same as it was when you had your computer repaired. that means that the issue will most likely arise again; from research your laptop/ps3/xbox360 will most likely have the same problem within 1-12 months.
Ask the repair shop before you get the process done, if they do Reball or Reflow. If its Reflow STAY AWAY. If they say they do reball, ask for it in writing and stating clearly on invoice that they have conducted a REBALL and not a reflow on your laptop / PS3 / xbox. The main problem is that these companies have invested less in their equipment and they do not have capability to reball.
What is reballing
This process we use a high quality piece of technology that uses a bottom heat source to help heat the bottom of the chip, while at the same time an Infrared Lamp is shined on top of the video chip, with both heat sources on the chip, the solder under the chip becomes liquid, and the chip is then removed. We use flux, and a solder braid to remove the solder on the chip and on the motherboard where the chip was sitting very carefully to not damage the solder pads. We than place the chip back on the motherboard and solder it back on, making it a permanent fix)
After doing research we have found that not very many Glasgow companies have the ability, tools or training to do this process. We do. This process takes alot longer and as such is a bit more expensive but as the average laptop repaired with the Reball process is 2+ Years is is a more thorough repair for you the client and more cost effective in the long run.
now if reballing is always better why even mention reflow – simply put reballing is harder to do, takes longer and requires more specialist and expensive equipment than a reflow, which is why VERY FEW in glasgow actually goto the time and effort to reball.
Tech Tip:
Ask the tech who conducting the laptop repair or even PS3 or xbox360 repair if they are actually conducting a reball or a reflow repair? ( how many bedroom techs actually have the space for an actual good quality reball rework station to be sitting around)
Software we like
