At Burton EMS, we pride ourselves on our cutting-edge Reverse Engineering Capabilities. Our team of skilled engineers and designers is dedicated to providing high-quality engineering solutions tailored to your specific needs.
What is Reverse Engineering in Electronics?
Reverse engineering in electronics involves analyzing a product or component to understand its functionality and create a new product based on that information. This process can include rebuilding a printed circuit board (PCB) from an assembled product, replacing a faulty PCB, or designing a new PCB with similar functionality. At Burton EMS, we offer several advantages for various applications.
Benefits of Reverse Engineering
- Documentation Creation: Reverse engineering creates documentation for PCBs that are missing or have outdated information.
- Component Identification: We analyze circuits to identify components and understand the electronic system’s operation.
- Repairs and Improvements: Understanding a PCB’s design helps make necessary repairs and improvements.
- New Designs: The process aids in designing new, similar devices by duplicating or enhancing existing performance at a cost savings.
Stages of Reverse Engineering PCBs
The process of reverse engineering a PCB is systematic and detailed. Here are the primary stages we follow:
- Initial Image Preparation:
- Draw, Scan, or Photograph: We create initial drawings, scans, or photographs of the PCBs.
- Image Upload:
- Software Tools: Using tools such as GerbTool and Altium Designer, we upload the images to the appropriate reverse-engineering software.
- Construct the Layout:
- 3D Layout Building: We build a 3D layout of the PCB, representing the system’s electromagnetic field distribution and circuit behavior. This layout includes components, conductive elements, trace arrangements, and each layer’s planes.
- Create Schematics:
- Schematic Diagrams: Developing the schematic diagram reveals every circuit and all the board’s components, providing a comprehensive view of the PCB’s operation.
Alternative Methods for PCB Analysis
Burton EMS uses a vendor partner to dissect the PCB using two main methods of reverse engineering:
- ScanCAD Technology:
- Milling and Imaging: A proprietary milling and imaging process captures high-resolution, NIST-calibrated images of each circuit layer.
- Non-Destructive Analysis: Using Flying Probe Test (FPT) machines, we perform connectivity-only reverse engineering without damaging the PCB.
Next Steps
We are excited about the potential to support your projects through our reverse engineering capabilities. Please let us know when you can discuss your specific needs in more detail. Our team is ready to provide the expertise required to achieve your goals.
Thank you for considering Burton EMS for your reverse engineering needs. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to your success.
