PCB Repair Pens

1. Expose conductive surface of repair area: When repairing a trace, conductive ink needs to have good contact with the beginning and end of the gap. This often involves scraping way resist to expose the conductive surface.
2. Prepare the surface: Clean and free from any debris, dust, or old solder. You can use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs to clean the area properly.
3. Shake the pen: Before using the conductive pen, shake it vigorously until you hear the click of the internal bearing, which provides agitation within the pen. If the ink is dark and not a silver color, continue to shake the pen to fully mix the ink.
4. Prime the pen: When using the conductive pen for the first time or after a long period of non-use, you may need to prime the pen to get the ink flowing smoothly. Press the tip of the pen against a scrap surface (e.g., paper or a non-conductive material) until the ink starts flowing. You may need to clear the tip of dried ink with a wipe saturated with solvent like isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
5. Draw the conductive trace: Hold the conductive pen like a regular pen or marker, and apply gentle pressure to the surface while squeezing the barrel. Be precise and steady in your movements to get a clean line. You can draw lines, bridges, or connect components, just like you would with a pen or a pencil.
6. Cure the ink: Let the ink air dry for at least 1 hour.
7. Test the conductivity: Once the ink is cured, use a multimeter or continuity tester to test for continuity between the endpoints of the trace to ensure the connection is complete.
8. Clean the pen tip: After use, make sure to wipe the tip of the pen clean with a wipe. This prevents the tip from getting clogged and ensures better performance in the future.

Using a flux dispensing pen, whether it's a no-clean, rosin, or aqueous flux, is a straightforward process. Flux is used in soldering to remove oxidation and improve the wetting of solder, ensuring better solder joints. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a flux dispensing pen:

1. Preparation:

Ensure you have the appropriate flux pen for your application (no-clean, rosin, or aqueous flux). The specific type of flux depends on your soldering needs and the type of components you are working with.

2. Clean the Surface:

Before applying flux, make sure the surface you are about to solder is clean and free from any debris, dust, or oxidation. Clean it with a lint-free cloth if necessary.

3. Prepare the Flux Pen:

• Remove the cap of the flux pen.
• Tap the tip on a flat surface to saturate the tip.
• If there is dried flux or other residue on the tip, rub it off on a wipe.

4. Apply Flux:

• Hold the flux pen like you would hold a regular pen or marker, with the tip facing downwards.
• Gently press the tip against the surface where you want to apply the flux. Be careful not to apply too much pressure as it may lead to excessive flux application.
• Move the pen across the area where you want to apply flux. The flux will flow out through the tip as you move it.

5. Soldering:

Once you have applied the flux, proceed with the soldering process immediately.

6. Clean Residue (if applicable):

If you are using a no-clean flux, it is designed to be left on the board without cleaning, depending on the requirements the electronics. If you used a rosin or aqueous flux, you should clean the board after soldering to remove any residue. Use a cleaning solution that is compatible with the type of flux you used.

7. Recap the Flux Pen:

After use, make sure to recap the flux pen tightly to prevent the flux from drying out or leaking.

• Circuit Prototyping: Conductive pens are often used for rapid prototyping of electronic circuits. Instead of traditional methods like soldering, engineers can draw circuit traces directly onto a PCB using the conductive pen.
• Repairs: These pens are useful for repairing damaged or broken circuit traces on electronic devices or printed circuit boards (PCBs). By drawing a new conductive trace with the pen, one can restore the electrical connection without requiring complex rework.
• Low-voltage Electronics: Conductive pens are suitable for low-voltage applications, such as wearable electronics, simple sensors, touch-sensitive interfaces, and other electronic projects that don't involve high power or high-frequency signals.