Abstract: A tool for soldering pin-in-hole electronic circuit components includes a tool plate with a set of via holes corresponding to the holes of a circuit board on which a circuit component is soldered. The board is aligned with the tool plate and hot gas is supplied through the set of plate vias to reflow solder in the board holes. The tool is particularly suitable for use in removing and replacing pinned circuit components. Use of particular gases (e.g., nitrogen) allows soldering to be carried out without the use of flux. Advantages of the tool are that it prevents burning the circuit board and/or unintentionally reflowing other circuit components mounted on the board (by directing hot gas only substantially onto the circuit board's solder-containing holes).

Abstract: An X-ray computerized system for programmable, high-resolution X-ray inspection of manufactured electronic circuits. Such a system comprises: means for directing X-rays to produce X-ray images representing illuminations of circuit elements from different angles; and detecting means for detecting said images, said detecting means comprising a plurality of detectors, each of said detectors positioned to intercept X-rays after passing through a circuit element from a particular associated angle of illumination.