Welcome to Lumenlabs tutorial on working with and stripping an LCD monitor. In this tutorial we will cover basic safety and handling procedures. Then move on to a few examples of compatible monitors as stripped by our members. We will also include information for those that have a monitor with an FFC issue. Any questions can be fired at one of our moderators.
I
Prepare yourself and your workspace
Steps to protect yourself and the LCD from harm.
1) Get yourself to a quiet location!
2) Find a clean, dry desk or table away from dust. Make sure it is large enough for your tools and the monitor.
3) Unplug your monitor!
4) Make sure you use proper ESD protection in the form of wrist strap and mat.
ESDSystems
5) Look very close at the LCD bezel cover and search for screw placement.
7) Take your time when removing components, if it does not come easy look for a hidden screw or plastic clip.
8) Document everything! Use pen and paper if need be, you may want to put it back together at some point.
9) Watch the cables and FFC they can tear very easily.
10) When you are down to the LCD itself use “powder free” examination gloves to handle the LCD.
Powder Free Latex
11) If you don’t know ASK! We are always here to help!
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Tools and Equipment
1) ESD protection
ESD (Electro Static Discharge) AKA- The chip killer!
The key to successfully working with sensitive electronics is a basic understanding of how-to handle integrated circuits and sensitive components.
We want to protect our LCD from harmful static electricity; the human body will feel a static discharge at 3000V. Yes, you read that right 3000V! So what could this do? Well think of it this way, most of the IC (Integrated Circuit) components like microchips have a max voltage of 3.5-12V. If you touch one of these components without proper grounding, you may send more then the maximum voltage through that chip. One of two things will happen! You will destroy the chip, or degrade the chip.
What does this mean?
If you degrade the chip your equipment may be prone to fail at a later date. Many technicians work on circuit boards without realizing they have sent harmful static charges
Into the microchips and sensitive electronics. They test the equipment and everything looks fine, then they send it out only to have it returned due to failure.
You should purchase a wrist strap and grounding mat like the following for best protection.
You can purchase the ESD equipment online, at a local Radio Shack, or any electronics supply store.
2) Rubberized powder free examination gloves.
Use power free examination gloves when handling the LCD Cell (LCD itself)
- You want to make sure to keep your LCD “very” clean. Use the examination gloves for the added protection.
3) Basic Tools
Screwdriver set (Both jewelers and regular are helpful), needle nose pliers, thin plastic card (Credit Card or the like.).
Things you should know before you start to strip your LCD.
1) LCD panels and interface cards are vulnerable to damage from static discharge and so static-dissipative handling precautions must be used. These include grounded work mats and wristbands. ESDSystems
2) Take your time; do not force the components apart. Excluding the front bezel, the inside components are usually held together with clips and screws. If it does not seem to want to come apart look for hidden screws on the sides, top, bottom.
3) Use a credit card and a small amount of even force to separate the front and back plastic bezel.
4) TAKE YOUR TIME!
5) Document everything! Use pen and paper to document the location of parts.
6) Watch those FFC’s they can tear very easily.
7) In addition, the LCD cell itself is glass and must be protected from impacts, scratches, and stress.
8) A mounting mustn’t introduce a bending stress as this could damage the glass cell, or dislodge the connections around the edge. (Be very, very careful with the edge connectors around the TFT LCD cel itself.)
9) The front face of the panel is soft and once marked cannot easily be cleaned, as any pressure could crack it. The front surface is also readily scratched. For this reason, wear non-powdered surgical gloves or something without residue of any kind. Powder Free Latex
10) Finally, if you don’t know! ASK! Get on the forum or IRC chat and ASK!