Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSPower electronics are found in nearly all industrial applications today. Their production is complex, energy-intensive, and relies on critical raw materials. For companies, this means that repair is not only ecologically and economically sensible but also strategically important—especially since supply chains are frequently unstable and outages can be costly.
The problem, however, is that existing rework guidelines and standards typically apply only to standard printed circuit boards. These specifications do not work for ceramic printed circuit boards used in power electronics. This is precisely where we at Fraunhofer IKTS come in: In recent years, we have been working intensively on repair concepts at the module level. For example, we can safely remove the silicone potting, selectively extract components, and then professionally reassemble and repot the modules. This opens up entirely new opportunities for service providers. They can expand their offerings and provide repairs cost-effectively. In addition, we can give companies specific guidance on which equipment and tools they need for such repairs.
