As for rework stations, I have one, inherited from a disk drive company that closed in 
2001.  "BGA 3000".  I think all it needs is a camera, which I once had but I 
think let someone borrow and it disappeared.  That's part of a system to do accurate 
positioning of surface mount chips onto the board.  I wonder if a GoPro or the like could 
be put into service for that task.

Probably. One of the secrets to hot air rework is that if you use preheat and a good flux the bga and really small smd components will "auto align" as long as they are close to accurate. When that last bit of soft hot air is added the solder goes liquid and surface tension both pulls the component into line and (in the case of BGA) makes all the little balls round so there are no solder joints between pins. Flux ensures this, then you let it cool and problem is solved.

So yes a camera and magnifier is nice for super accuracy, but not really needed. YMMV.

C

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