PCB assembly services are offered by a PCB assembly manufacturer. In the PCB industry. There are different kinds of components that are utilized in electronic devices. These components comprise resistors, capacitors, inductors, and diodes. The soldering procedure is utilized to connect these components on a printed circuit board. There are different kinds of solder joints that can be utilized counting on the kind of component being soldered. Solder joints come in 2 kinds which are pre-tinned and non-pre-tinned.
The pre-tinned joint is where a layer of solder paste is applied prior to applying the component to the PCB board. This helps in making certain that the component does not come off during the soldering. Or desoldering process since it remains fixed to the PCB board surface. The non-pre-tinned joint comprises applying solder paste after connecting one. Or more elements onto the PCB board surface. This procedure is faster than using pre-tinned joints as there is no need for any extra coating process. Which can lessen production time noticeably.
The key processes used by a PCB assembly manufacturer in PCB assembly are:
- PCB design
- PCB layout
- PCB manufacturing & assembly
- PCB testing & inspection
Explaining the 2 popular PCB assembly methods
The 2 most popular printed circuit board assembly methods are:
1. Surface Mount Technology
Surface mount technology or SMT for PCB assembly is a way to place components onto a printed circuit board without utilizing conventional through-hole processing. The components are more often than not mounted on top of one another. With interconnecting tracks. Surface mounting is generally done using very fine-pitch connectors that allow for very high-density wiring and various different kinds of components.
Surface mount technology allows for large numbers of components to be put on a single board, which can simplify large-scale manufacturing procedures and lessen the cost of your products. It has become an increasingly popular process for small-scale production and prototype development since it facilitates you to create circuits with more functionality than you could otherwise by putting all the components on one board.
2. Through hole technology
Through-hole technology is a comprehensively used method of manufacturing printed circuit boards. It involves placing solder balls on the surface of the board, then filling the holes with solder to make connections between components. Think of it as the equivalent of soldering jumpers into your circuit board, nevertheless rather than using discrete wires or components, you are using solder balls.
There are two main types of through-hole technology used by a PCB assembly manufacturer:
Through-hole assembly: This involves putting a sheet of metal with solder balls pre-filled into each hole and then attaching it to the PCB assembly. The sheet is typically mounted on a plastic board and held in place by hot melt glue.
Through-hole routing: This involves routing an entire printed circuit board design through individual through-holes instead of using solder balls. This process is more time taking than traditional through-hole assembly, nevertheless saves money since you do not need to buy extra parts or equipment for the job (for instance drill presses).
What are the factors that can help you hire the right company?
The printed circuit board assembly process is complex and needs highly trained technicians. It includes soldering, cutting, and filing elements. The following factors can assist you to hire the best assembly company:
1. Quality of the product
You must make sure that your product is manufactured by a trustworthy company with a good reputation. It is crucial to look for a company that has been in operation for a long time and has a recognized reputation in the industry.
2. Cost of products
It is significant to compare prices prior to choosing a PCB manufacturer as some companies offer discounts on mass orders while others charge more per unit however have fewer discounting policies. You can make use of your web resources. Do some cost-related research online from the comfort of your home.
3. Customer support services offered by the PCB manufacturer
It is vital to choose a provider that provides you with quality customer support services after delivering your order in order. That you do not confront any issues later on during installation or repair works on your product when its components wear out or break down owing to usage or owing to negligence on part of users or technicians.