With global uncertainty today, many companies are investigating repatriating some or all of their production. If your company is interested in installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or you want to modify one, it can be a daunting task; working with multiple vendors supplying exceedingly complex (and expensive) machines or tools, each with different shipping lead times and logistics, set up procedures, and software compatibility issues. It can be a project managers nightmare, especially when you’re running a business.

• Teaming up with our pick and place partners, Restronics Southern California can help coordinate and manage this overwhelming task. Partnering with our SMT pick and place partner experts, we can:
• Source all the machines you need for your line (even if we do not have a direct relationship with the manufacturer).
• Manage the delivery logistics, making sure everything arrives on time and together.
• Manage the installation and line bring up.
• Manage the software compatibility between the different machines from the different manufacturers.
• Ensure your people are trained.

WHAT IS SMT ASSEMBLY?

SMT (Surface Mounting Technology) is a way to produce electronic circuits by putting components right on the board’s surface. SMT assembly is an alternative to the through-hole method of PCB manufacturing, which originated in the 1970s and 1980s.

As electronics manufacturing continued to gain momentum, a more efficient, better process was necessary. SMT assembly grew out of this need.

WHAT IS THROUGH-HOLE ASSEMBLY?

Through-hole technology (also spelled "thru-hole") references the mounting scheme used for electronic components involving the use of leads on the components being inserted into holes drilled in printed circuit boards (PCB). These leads are then soldered to pads on the alternate side by either manual assembly (placement by hand) or by automated insertion mount machines.

The quality of the solder joint is important for a few reasons. The solder joint is the actual connection between the component and the PCB. The quality of the solder joint equates to the quality of the connection. The appearance of the solder joint is less important but is often indicative of the quality of the solder joint.