Abstract: A method includes providing a printed circuit board (“PCB”) supporting a solderable component, and supporting a first fuse on the PCB, where the first fuse includes a first temperature-sensitive element that measurably changes in response to exposure to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The PCB, the solderable component, and the first fuse define an apparatus. The method includes performing a PCB assembly manufacturing process, and then testing the first fuse to determine whether, during the PCB assembly manufacturing process, the first fuse was exposed to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The first threshold temperature is a minimum temperature where the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to be carried out, a maximum temperature at which the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to occur, or a first intermediate temperature between the minimum and maximum temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more fuses placed on a printed circuit board on which an printed circuit board assembly is formed. Each fuse changes in response to ambient thermal conditions beyond a threshold temperature. The change can be detected with a testing apparatus such as in in-circuit tester after a process such as a solder assembly process to determine whether the process was performed within the desire temperature range. Fuses may be positioned at different locations on the printed circuit board to provide localized and differentiated temperature measurements. An array of fuses may be designed to change at a progressing sequence of ambient temperatures to enable trends in the process temperature to be recorded. Temperature data may be recorded and linked to an identifier on the apparatus such as a product serial number.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one grip mechanism of a rework nozzle configured to grip an electrical component that is soldered to a printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one spring coupled to at least one grip mechanism, where the spring is configured to move beyond a minimum threshold in response to an initiation of a melt of a solder that attaches the electrical component to the printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one sensor coupled to at least one spring, where the sensor is configured to detect the move of at least one spring beyond the minimum threshold. At least one sensor is configured to communicate at least one activate signal in response to detection of the move of one or more springs beyond the minimum threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one grip mechanism of a rework nozzle configured to grip an electrical component that is soldered to a printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one spring coupled to at least one grip mechanism, where the spring is configured to move beyond a minimum threshold in response to an initiation of a melt of a solder that attaches the electrical component to the printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one sensor coupled to at least one spring, where the sensor is configured to detect the move of at least one spring beyond the minimum threshold. At least one sensor is configured to communicate at least one activate signal in response to detection of the move of one or more springs beyond the minimum threshold.

Abstract: A method includes providing a printed circuit board (“PCB”) supporting a solderable component, and supporting a first fuse on the PCB, where the first fuse includes a first temperature-sensitive element that measurably changes in response to exposure to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The PCB, the solderable component, and the first fuse define an apparatus. The method includes performing a PCB assembly manufacturing process, and then testing the first fuse to determine whether, during the PCB assembly manufacturing process, the first fuse was exposed to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The first threshold temperature is a minimum temperature where the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to be carried out, a maximum temperature at which the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to occur, or a first intermediate temperature between the minimum and maximum temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more fuses placed on a printed circuit board on which an printed circuit board assembly is formed. Each fuse changes in response to ambient thermal conditions beyond a threshold temperature. The change can be detected with a testing apparatus such as in in-circuit tester after a process such as a solder assembly process to determine whether the process was performed within the desire temperature range. Fuses may be positioned at different locations on the printed circuit board to provide localized and differentiated temperature measurements. An array of fuses may be designed to change at a progressing sequence of ambient temperatures to enable trends in the process temperature to be recorded. Temperature data may be recorded and linked to an identifier on the apparatus such as a product serial number.