IR Rework Station

Modern surface mount components often need special tools for rework. However, those tools can be expensive. [Michael Skrepsky] wanted an infrared rework station, but didn’t like the price. So he built his own.

According to [Michael] he used a lot of scrap in the construction. . He used K-type thermocouples, optotriacs, triacs, a 20×4 display and, of course, an Arduino. An old bathroom heater, along with a 600W and 100W halogen bulb work as heaters.

The Arduino runs two PIDs. One is a slow regulator for preheating. The other is an interrupt-driven phase regulator for the top heater. [Michael] built the circuit on a protoboard but provides a layout along with the Arduino software and key schematics. You can see a video of he machine in action below.

We’ve talked about rework many times before. We’ve even covered BGA stations. There’s a lot of DIY potential here.

8 thoughts on “IR Rework Station

    1. Wireless heating obviously. Just like the infrared remote is a wireless remote and the infrared phone is a wireless phone.

  1. We have an ERSA HR100 in our Lab for quite some time, unfortunately there is no need anymore to DIY our own IR station now. I kinda like it tho, it’s really different to all the hot-air stations i’ve used before, especially if you try to unsolder high power components from copper-flooded multilayer boards, it’s way easyer to get the heat where it’s needed. The ERSA has a little laser pointer mounted inside, so you can really aim very well for components, not shure if this DIY-solution has something similar.

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