Project 011 – Quick turn PCB assembly

Assembly of Image Sensor and CPLD Boards

A specialist camera manufacturer very urgently needed a set of prototype PCBAs assembled to get his prototype camera ready in time. He asked me if I could help him.

The only solution that was fast enough, was to assembly these sets of prototype PCBAs by hand.

For this camera, each image sensor PCBA would be stacked on top of a CPLD PCBA for interfacing with the main camera electronics. Each PCB had parts as small as 0402 on both sides of the PCB. A stereo-microscope was used to accurately place the components on each side. After placement on one side, that side was soldered in a small reflow oven and then the other side components were placed. After soldering, the PCBAs were very carefully checked for open and short circuits.

The PCBs were ready in time and the camera manufacturer could build his camera.