When physical damage usually in the form of scratched traces or mask, broken corners, lifted pads or damaged plated through holes comes up, the printed circuit board needs to be physically repaired. If desired or allowed by the customer these repairs require the proper PCB repair tools and techniques. The techniques need to be performed by those skilled in the art with experience in such repairs.
Specific PCB repair tools designed to make repair technician’s jobs easier and faster. There are several techniques, many of which were developed by the military, for use in the repair of printed circuit boards. These techniques have now been assembled and are being managed by the global trade organization the IPC. The IPC procedures for repair are spelled out in IPC-7721 “The repair of printed wiring boards”.