BackGiving Components a Second Life: How Rework and Reuse Support a Smarter, Greener Electronics Industry
In today's electronics industry, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a necessity. Rising chip costs, ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities, and increasing environmental concerns have pushed manufacturers to rethink how they approach component sourcing, usage, and waste. One solution that's gaining momentum? Salvaging, reworking, and reclaiming components.
From Crisis to Opportunity
Two years ago, the global component shortage sent shockwaves through the electronics industry. Lead times stretched into months, prices spiked, and OEMs scrambled to secure even the most basic parts. In the rush to keep production moving, one unfortunate trend also reemerged: a surge in counterfeit components.
With desperation came risk. Manufacturers were forced to weigh speed against quality, often with little room for error. This supply chain crisis underscored an uncomfortable truth—when components are scarce, the integrity of your supply can suffer. It also highlighted a better, safer path forward: reclaim what you already have.
The Value of Reclaiming and Reworking Components
Reworking and salvaging components is nothing new, but it's never been more relevant. By recovering parts that were defective, misaligned or improperly soldered during initial production, manufacturers can reduce waste, cut costs, and get more mileage from every component purchase.
Instead of discarding an entire board due to one failed BGA, it's often faster and more cost-effective to rework the board—replacing the faulty component and retesting—rather than starting over. Reworking gives manufacturers a second chance to recover usable assemblies, saving both materials and production time.
And it's not just about cost. Salvaging components extends their lifecycle, reducing demand for newly manufactured chips—a process that consumes vast amounts of energy and ultra-purified water. By reusing what you already have, you're not only preserving resources but also reducing your environmental footprint.
Protecting Against Shortages—and Counterfeits
Component reclamation isn't just about sustainability; it's also a way to build resilience into your supply chain. When shortages hit and prices soar, companies often turn to new, unvetted sources, increasing the risk of counterfeit or low-quality components. Salvaging parts from existing assemblies or reconditioning those already in your inventory allows you to maintain production without relying on risky suppliers.
Component counters also play a critical role. They help ensure you're receiving the correct quantity of parts from your suppliers, preventing the kind of quiet inventory loss that adds up over time. A few components skimmed off every reel might seem minor, but over time, it can amount to thousands of dollars in lost product.
Manncorp offers two solutions to help prevent those losses: the 2000 Series automatic SMD counters and the new XC01 X-Ray Parts Counter, launching July 2025. The 2000 Series includes four compact, tabletop models—available with or without PocketCheck—that handle reels up to 13" at three speeds. Priced from $2,495 to $4,295, they're a reliable and affordable way to keep part counts accurate.
For high-speed, high-volume environments, the XC01 X-Ray Parts Counter delivers advanced, non-invasive reel counting. It can process four 7" reels or one 15" reel in under 10 seconds and supports up to 17" reels or trays without unsealing desiccant moisture barrier bags. There's no need to switch between single and multi-reel modes, and it accurately counts overlapping, stacked, or scattered components. The XC01 will be available starting July 2025, for $54,995.
A Smarter, More Sustainable Future
At its core, salvaging and reworking components is about efficiency—both economic and environmental. It means fewer chips in landfills, fewer purchases from unverified sources, and fewer dollars spent replacing parts that could have been reused. It's a practice that adds flexibility to your operations and accountability to your supply chain.
Whether you're reflowing a board, reconditioning components, or verifying part counts before production starts, every step you take toward reclaiming and reusing is a step toward a smarter, more sustainable electronics industry.
Integrate Component Salvage and Verification into Your Own Process
Manncorp offers solutions for rework, component counting, x-ray inspection, and more. Talk to our team to find the right tools for your production goals.
