309: Robotic Conformal Coating Removal System

We created a robotic system that removes a tough protective coating from circuit boards. The conformal coating makes the boards more reliable but makes them harder to fix. When engineers or technicians need to repair the board, they must gently remove the coating while ensuring the components beneath remain intact. This can be time-consuming, increase the risk of causing further damage, and put the operator at risk of injury. We aimed to design a tool that helps remove the coating safely and efficiently.

We built a robot that targeted and removed the coating from specific areas. The system utilized a camera to capture an image of the board and create a path for the removal tool. We used a Raspberry Pi to control the robot’s movements. We followed industry standards for circuit board repairs, so the robot’s settings corresponded with best practices for safely removing the coating. Our team focused on fine-tuning these settings while ensuring the robot’s movements and tools worked together. The robot removed the coating from precise areas, making it easier to access components needing repair.

Our solution made it much easier to remove the protective coating, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of damage to printed circuit boards. The robotic system completed tasks efficiently and with greater precision by introducing an automated removal process. Companies benefited and could potentially perform repairs more quickly and with higher reliability, while diminishing delays and enhancing the overall performance of their products.