A research team at the University of Maryland has developed a tool that can transform faulty printed circuit boards (PCBs) into ones that function as desired.
The PCB Renewal tool works as a plugin for KiCad software, and can accurately analyse differences between a malfunctioning PCB and the desired result, creating a path for a precision mill and epoxy deposition that can correct the board.
While such a process will never turn a PlayStation into an Xbox, it can enable more precise modifications to boards than would otherwise be possible, allowing for corrections to mis-placed traces, grounds or allowing for the replacement of microcontrollers with different specifications.
The research group has previously developed a “solderless PCB” innovation, allowing components to be squeezed directly into place using conductive silicone.
