Companies must adapt to new problems as electronics become more embedded in mission-critical functions such as planes, medical devices to the energy grids. The systems they are integrating into are vital and failures could result in devastating implications.
The harsh environment can be described as extreme humidity, heat and dangerous magnetic and electrical fields. Certain environmental conditions impact the specifications of a product, and should be considered when designing the product.
Challenges
Electronics, known also as electronic waste or “e-waste”, are often removed despite the fact they have the potential to enhance productivity and improve human lives. E-waste is made up of toxic substances as well as scarce precious metals such as gold, palladium, and Cadmium.
Recognizing the benefits of Industrial electronic devices (EED) can help reduce the amount of eWaste produced and encourage sustainability in resource management. Retrofitting and refurbishing are strategies that upgrade older products with the latest technologies. Remanufacturing is an extensive process which includes disassembling the equipment and cleaning it before replacing parts, and then putting everything back to its original configuration.
In order to promote remanufacturing as an alternative to disposing and recycling, we conducted an online poll of GCC-based repair technicians. We discovered the top causes that lead to PCB problems and failures. This study’s findings provide valuable insights for technicians in developing more efficient repair methods and reuse EEE for an environmentally sustainable future.
Innovative Solutions
The adage “if it’s not broken don’t repair it” does not hold true when it comes to public transportation mining equipment, as well as other industrial electronics that are high-risk. There are many instances where one faulty printed circuit board (PCB) can cause an entire device to fail, leading to significant expenses for operation and immediate replacement.
Globally, the Right to Repair Movement is growing in popularity as an effective way to prolong the lifespan of electronic devices and develop viable business models that are sustainable. However, a variety of factors like product design, Intellectual Property, Taxation and Consumer Laws make it difficult to implement the concept.
Technicians working in challenging environments must be creative and be able to adapt. In a typical interview, the question is asking candidates to share a time they needed to think out of the box to complete an intricate repair. The recruiters can assess the technician’s problem-solving skills and to understand how they cope when faced with challenges that are unexpected in a fast-paced environment. The ability to quickly find solutions shows a technician’s imagination and dedication to excellence.
Repairing Electronics at Extreme Temperatures and Humidity
In order to ensure that electronics will work reliably for their intended lifespan Manufacturers must expose them to rigorous testing. These tests will often include exposing the product to extreme humidity, temperatures as well as vibrations.
Too high temperatures can result in damage to electronic components. Circuit boards are particularly susceptible to this since the solder connecting components may melt. When this happens, it can cause short circuits or even malfunctioning systems.
The humidity can cause issues in electrical parts. It can cause material degrading corrosion, electrical leakage and corrosion. The problem can arise because moisture gets into the packing material as well as printed circuit boards.
It can result in delays in transmission, as the electrons must travel through this circuit at a slow rate. Sometimes there is a delay sufficient that the entire circuit could fail. Industrial equipment can suffer serious injury from this.