This is probably a stupid question but is there any way for a "hobbyist" to use BGA's? If I were to etch a board, tin it, apply some flux, sit BGA IC on it, and put it in an oven, would I get brownies out? Just wondering if its possible to do as some of the things I'd like to use involve BGA's.
Thanks, Jon
Yes it's possible, some people have had success with using toaster ovens, like this:
Google "bga toaster oven"
But the best advice is to simply steer clear of BGA for home use if at all possible.
But if you want to try it yourself, spring for a proper solder masked PCB, they aren't expensive.
Alternatively, get a tube of BGA chips, some BGA-to-throughole adapter boards and an assembler to put the BGA's on the boards for you.
Dave.
I'm getting a small BGA mounted on a couple of prototype boards, it isn't a hobbyist project. My client is paying 300 GBP for the work, but that includes a stencil, assembly and X-ray. They have to use solder paste because the solder balls aren't uniform and some are non- spherical. If the balls are OK home assembly is feasible (no solder paste is required), but I wouldn't have risked it for this project.
Leon
Thanks, atleast I know its possible. I doubt I'll be able to use them because I can't do multi-level pcb's which kinda makes them useless. I might look into the adapators though.
Jon
messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@g12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
My board is double-sided, but the BGA is a Telit GSM/GPS module with only 84 balls, most of which are around the sides.
Leon
The ones I'm dealing with are 256 or something like that but most of the inner ones are for grounds. I'm sure its not all that difficult with enough time and experimenting but I'm going to try and avoid messing with it for now... atleast until I get more experienced with SMT.
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