Printed circuit board assembly is a process of soldering various components onto a printed circuit board. This is done in order to create an electronic product that is safe and has no errors. The printed circuit board, also known as PCB, can be complex or basic depending on the type of device it is used for constructing.
The PCB assembly process is the last step in creating a printed circuit board. The process is performed by machines that place the components on the PCB to form a functional product.
There are two ways in which this process can be carried out:
- Manual assembly, where each component is placed one by one on the board and soldered to complete the assembly.
- Automatic assembly, where a machine places components onto the PCB and solders them automatically.
The manual PCB assembly process is very straightforward, but it is not an efficient solution for large quantities of boards since it requires a lot of time and human resources. The automatic printed circuit board assembly process, on the other hand, will allow you to make hundreds of boards in a short time frame with fewer errors.
Understanding the SMT technique of assembly
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is a method of soldering components on the surface of printed circuit boards.
Surface mount technology is commonly used for the high-density interconnection of PCBs and ICs in modern electronic products. The benefits of SMT are higher packing density, smaller size and better reliability than through-hole technology (THT). SMT construction reduces the risk of production faults and improves testability in comparison with THT construction.
SMT has become the dominant technology for electronic assembly because it simplifies the process while decreasing the cost of production.
Understanding the THT technique of assembly
Through-hole technology was invented by Michael Pupin at AT&T’s Bell Laboratories in 1913. He was awarded a patent for his invention in 1914, but many other inventors had already been working on similar ideas at around the same time.
Through-hole technology is a method of connecting electronic components to a printed circuit board (PCB) when they need to be soldered. Components with leads, such as transistors and diodes, are mounted on the PCB and then soldered in place. Through-hole technology is used in most consumer electronics and computers.
The term “through hole” refers to the fact that the wires or legs on an electronic component pass through a hole in the PCB. This allows them to be soldered onto pads on the opposite side. The disadvantage of this technique is that it requires extra space on the PCB and makes it more difficult to remove defective components from their sockets.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right printed circuit board assembly company is not an easy task. There are many things you need to look into when considering which company to choose and it can be a real challenge. However, if you take some time and do your research, you will find that there are some great companies out there that will meet all your needs and more.
