Circuit Technology Center
 
No. 4.2.2
Conductor Repair, Foil Jumper, Film Adhesive Method

OUTLINE
This method is used to replace damaged or missing circuits on the circuit board surface.

CAUTION
It is essential that the board surface be extremely smooth and flat. If the base board is damaged see appropriate procedure.   

ACCEPTABILITY REFERENCES
IPC-A-600 2.0 Externally Observable Characteristics
IPC-A-610 10.0 Laminate Conditions
 
PROCEDURE REFERENCE
CTC 7721 1.0 Foreword
CTC 7721 2.1 Handling Electronic Assemblies
CTC 7721 2.2 Cleaning
CTC 7721 2.5 Baking and Preheating
CTC 7721 2.7 Epoxy Mixing and Handling
IPC 7721 4.2.2 Conductor Repair, Foil Jumper, Film Adhesive Method

TOOLS & MATERIALS
Bonding Iron
Bonding Tips
Bonding System
Buffer
Circuit Frame, Conductors
Cleaner
Epoxy
Flux, Liquid
Knife
Microscope
Oven
Scraper
Solder
Soldering Iron
Surgical Knife
Tape, Kapton
Tweezers
Wipes

PROCEDURE

  1. Clean the area.


  2. Remove the damaged section of circuit using the knife. The damaged circuit should be trimmed back to a point where the circuit still has a good bond to the PC board surface.


  3. Use the knife and scrape off any epoxy residue, contamination or burned material from the board surface


  4. Scrape off any solder mask or coating from the connecting circuit. (See Figure 1).


  5. Clean the area.


  6. Apply a small amount of liquid flux to the connection area on the board surface and tin with solder. Clean the area. The length of the overlap solder connection should be a minimum of 2 times the circuit width.


  7. Select a replacement circuit with film adhesive backing that most closely matches the size of the conductor to be replaced. If a special size or shape is needed it can be custom fabricated. (See Figure 2).

    8. NOTE
    New conductors are fabricated from copper foil. The foil is plated on the top side with solder and an epoxy bonding film is applied to the bottom side.

  8. Before trimming out the new conductor carefully scrape off the adhesive epoxy film from the solder joint connection area on the back of the new conductor. (See Figure 3).

    9. CAUTION
    Scrape off the epoxy backing only from the joint connection area. When handling the new conductor avoid touching the epoxy backing with your fingers or other materials that may contaminate the surface and reduce the bond strength.

  9. Cut out and trim the new conductor. Cut out from the plated side. Cut the length to provide the maximum allowable circuit overlap for soldering. Minimum 2 times the circuit width. (See Figure 4).

    10. NOTE
    If the configuration permits, the overlap solder joint connection should be a minimum of 3.00 mm (0.125") from the related termination. This gap will minimize the possibility of simultaneous reflow during soldering operations. Refer to 7.1 Soldering Basics.

  10. Place a piece of Kapton tape over the top surface of the new conductor. Place the new conductor into position on the circuit board surface using Kapton tape to help in alignment. Leave the Kapton tape in place during the bonding cycle. (See Figure 5).


  11. Select a bonding tip with a shape to match the shape of the new conductor.

    NOTE
    The bonding tip should be as small as possible but should completely cover the entire width of the new conductor.



  12. Position the circuit board so that it is flat and stable. Gently place the hot bonding tip onto the Kapton tape covering the new circuit. Apply pressure as recommended in the manual of the repair system or repair kit for 5 seconds to tack the circuit in place. Carefully peel off the tape. (See Figure 6).


  13. Gently place the bonding tip directly onto the new circuit. Apply pressure as recommended in the manual of the repair system or repair kit for an additional 30 seconds to fully bond the new circuit. The new circuit is fully cured. Carefully clean the area and inspect the new circuit for proper alignment.


  14. Apply a small amount of liquid flux to the lap solder joint connection area and solder the circuit foil jumper from the new conductor to the circuit on the PC board surface. Use minimal flux and solder to ensure a reliable connection. Kapton tape may be placed over the top of the new conductor to prevent excess solder overflow.


  15. Mix epoxy and coat the lap solder joint connections. Cure the epoxy per Procedure 2.7 Epoxy Mixing and Handling.

    CAUTION
    Some components may be sensitive to high temperature.



  16. Apply surface coating to match prior coating as required.

EVALUATION

  1. Visual examination.


  2. Measurement of new pad width and spacing.


  3. Electrical continuity measurement
  
Solutions Across the Board TM

Product Class:  R/F/C
Skill Level:  Advanced
Conformance Level:  High
Revision:  E
Revision Date:  Mar 28, 2001
Repair Service Charge

  
Damaged Conductor


Figure 1: Remove solder mask from the connecting circuit.


Figure 2: Sample frame or replacement conductors with dry film adhesive backing.


Figure 3: Scrape off epoxy bonding film from solder joint connection area on back of new conductor.


Figure 4: Cut out the new circuit. Cut from the plated side.


Figure 5: Place the new conductor in place using Kapton tape.


Figure 6: Bonding System used to thermally bond dry film adhesive backed replacement conductors.


Figure 7: Completed repair.
Tricks of the Trade
 This is an excellent method to repair a damaged conductor, however we generally use procedure 4.2.1 Conductor Repair, Foil Jumper, Epoxy Method. This other method uses replacement conductors that are easier to form if the missing conductor has any bends or turns.
 
 
Home · Services · Guidebook · Products · Training · Top

Circuit Technology Center, Inc.