opening up
before working at a cell phone repair shop I didn’t really get the robotfuckers but now.. well.. I’ll describe it.
I was opening up an ipad i wasn’t exactly sure the model of, but i knew generally where to avoid cutting into it. Sliding my blade gently under the screen, holding the heated aluminum close to me through my gloves. I kept the screen on, monitoring it for LCD damage as i ran my blade under it. If i pressed too hard, the screen would blanch white, telling me i had pressed too deep underneath it. Real-time feedback from the machine in my hands, yelping in pain, telling me i had done too much just before i broke it.
I pressed on, sliding forward under the screen to separate the adhesive, then pulling back before the fragile glass buckled under the plastic card i was using. I teased it, moving forward then back, slicing slowly until it began to peel away from it’s frame, eventually revealing itself to me.
As the screen came away from it’s frame, i saw the sticky adhesive separate under my fingers, and moved onto the next side of the iPad. I had to be careful, i knew the fragile LCD flex cables were located on either this side, or it’s opposite. I wasn’t sure, but I trusted my own skill enough to not break them. Using my plastic card, carefully, sliding down under the screen, pushing it to open just a little bit more for me. I poured a little alcohol on it, making the tricky adhesive wet under the screen, easier to pull the delicate LCD away from the aluminum frame. I had to be careful not to press too deep- this time at risk of slicing open the cables, tearing them, or possibly causing a short. I pressed down gently, revealing enough of an opening to see the little fold of a flex cable underneath the screen. it’s tucked away, used to being pressed flat underneath the screen, now aching to lift into the opening. i carefully drag my card around it, separating the adhesive with care. the screen is still on as i pry it away, and it turns on and off as my fingers pull its face off. Whenever my fingers brush the digitizer it blinks awake, responding to my knowing touch.
I finally, gently pull the screen away, unscrewing the housing underneath the screen. Small, mental plates cover the motherboard, protecting it’s small components. They give way easily once all the screws have been carefully twisted off and set aside. I slide my card underneath the battery connector, sending the device in front of me into peaceful slumber while i work on its internals. I wish it a soft rest, hoping it knows i will be gentle. i press my fingernail under the flex connector, prying it upward enough to hear the satisfying click of it undoing itself for me.
Finally, the screen pulls free of its housing, separated from the brains of the device, ready to be repaired.