Episode 157: What's On Your Workbench? Critical Steps to Avoid Contamination of PCA's During the Rework Process

On today’s episode, we’ll be exploring the critical steps to avoid contamination on circuit assemblies during the rework process with our expert guest, Gayle Towell. Gayle is the Content Marketing Specialist at AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry. She holds master's degrees in both mathematics and physics from the University of Oregon and has nearly two decades of experience in higher education, technical writing, and creative writing. In her role at AIM Solder, Gayle is instrumental in producing technical and research-based materials, while also collaborating with industry partners on various projects.  She has contributed articles to industry publications, such as the Printed Circuit Engineering Association Magazine, where she discusses topics like solder paste powder sizes and mixing methods. Gayle has also participated in industry events, including the SMTA International conference, where she shared her expertise in sessions covering soldering technologies and solder paste advancements. Additionally, she has appeared on podcasts discussing the development of new solder products. Her extensive background in technical communication and her role at AIM Solder highlight her significant contributions to the electronics manufacturing industry, and today she’ll be sharing her insights from a recent technical article "What's on Your Rework Bench."In this discussion, we’ll review the rework station and the essential practices that can make or break circuit reliability. Gayle will walk us through the common pitfalls she’s seen—from the dangers of unapproved fluxes to mismatched cleaning solvents—and explain how these mistakes lead to long-term failures in the field. She’ll also share practical advice on maintaining a contamination-free bench, the importance of selecting compatible chemistries, and why regular audits and operator education are key to preventing unintended residues and contaminants.Gayle will help us prevent one problem, rework, while not creating another, contamination.Gayle's Contact InformationGayle [email protected]://www.aimsolder.com