Exposing the Myths and Truths of the Repair Industry!
In celebration of the art of repair, our repair myths series highlights the issues that have been growing beneath the surface of industrial electronics maintenance. Our increasing dependence on electronics in some of the most critical industries: defence, automotive, aviation, rail, energy, and semiconductor manufacturing, has meant that over the past 20 years, we’ve seen these sectors transition from mechanical systems to highly automated and complex electronic setups. While the technology boom has unlocked new possibilities, it has also created a throw-away society of E-waste, where companies are convinced it’s cheaper and easier to replace equipment rather than repair it, an idea heavily sold by manufacturers eager to push the latest equipment. But here’s the catch, more electronics means more reliance on OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
With obsolescence now an unavoidable reality, businesses are left stranded when parts are no longer in production, forcing them to undertake costly and unnecessary upgrades or buy new systems, and with fewer hands in the repair game, as skilled technicians leave or retire, misinformation has been spreading. Myths have grown about the risks and viability of repairs, creating a stigma around the idea that repairing is unreliable or impractical. But these myths couldn’t be further from the truth!
Myth 1: “It’s cheaper to replace than repair”
While the upfront cost to set up a repair department might seem high compared to replacements, the strategy will span the lifetime of electronics and the long term investment and benefits will far exceed the comparative early savings of replacing.
Myth 2: “Repairing is too slow and delays operations”
Replacing electronic circuit boards for the sake of efficiency exposes your business to obsolescence. OEMs have largely lost the ability to repair their products & delegating the repair of legacy equipment can be costly with long lead times.
Myth 3: “Repairing old electronics isn’t worth it as they’re outdated”
Many critical systems rely on legacy devices, and keeping these running is often safer and less expensive than replacing. When we skip repairs at the integrated circuit level, we’re actually setting up for super costly upgrades and recertifications later.
Myth 4: “Only the OEM can do quality repairs”
Relying on OEMs for repairs can lead to long delays, high costs, and unresolved issues as many OEMs have outsourced design and assembly, losing control over repairs. Developing in-house repair capabilities is more affordable and provides faster, reliable results.
Myth 5: “Repairing electronics isn’t environmentally friendly”
Greenwashing is everywhere. Companies often claim that new tech is “greener,” but the most sustainable equipment is what you already have! By choosing local, in-house repair, we cut down on raw material consumption, reduce e-waste, and slash emissions.
Myth 6: “Repairs won’t last as long as replacements”
Real-world PCB manufacturing isn’t perfect with production spread out around the globe. From digital designs in Bangalore, and gerbers in Germany, to assembly in Mexico, and manufacturing in China, there’s a lot of room for error and things will inevitably go wrong!
Myth 7: “Repairs void the warranty”
Many OEMs are keeping customers in the dark, restricting repairs and the result? Tons of repairable equipment gets thrown away, contributing to the growing mountain of e-waste. Add in lobbying, government disinterest, and a lack of education and we’re in serious trouble.
Myth 8: “Repairing electronics isn’t safe”
Did you know that critical electronic components in trains and planes are being repaired and reused on a large scale? Thanks to cutting-edge diagnostic tools, expert training, and strict standards, no planes are falling from the sky and trains are still running smoothly.
Myth 9: “It’s too hard to find replacement parts”
When repair capabilities are developed early in an asset’s life, it sets a program or production strategy up for success. By anticipating which components will be needed later, you can plan ahead and avoid obsolescence before it even becomes an issue.
Myth 10: “Only highly trained specialists can perform repairs”
To tackle growing industrial E-waste, we need an army of repair heroes. Yet, technical schools and universities prioritise software over hardware, leaving industries with a shortage of skilled hardware technicians. This lack of training is a major cause of obsolescence and E-waste.
Myth 11: “Repairing PCBs doesn’t improve equipment performance”
Repairs not only bring equipment back to life, in many cases, repairing circuit boards enhances performance, reliability, and longevity. The right fault analysis can uncover underlying issues in circuit boards, making equipment stronger and more reliable than before.