What is SMT--A Must Have Guide For PCB Beginners

27 May.,2024

 

What is SMT--A Must Have Guide For PCB Beginners

If you look at the latest commercial electronic equipment, you&#;ll find them filled with several minute devices. Even your iPhone, microwave, and personal computer has them on their circuit boards. As opposed to using standard components, PCB makers mount these components onto the boards&#; surfaces using specialized machines.  Of importance to note is that most of them are relatively small when it comes to size. The technology used to mount these devices goes by the name Surface Mount Technology (SMT). So, what is SMT in detail and its advantages? This article highlights more about SMT technology. At the end of this article, you&#;ll learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of SMT. You&#;ll get to understand its applications and much that you previously never knew about SMT technology. 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Smt Printed Circuit Board Assembly.

&#;what is smt&#;a close-up of surface technology)

What is SMT technology?

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is a standard procedure in electronics circuit assembly today. Many PCB makers lately rely on SMT technology to manufacture their boards. Surface Mount Technology is the process of mounting electronic components to surfaces of PCBs. Surface Mount Technology is different from Plated Through-Hole Technology and is the best replacement or option for PTH. With Surface Mount Technology, it&#;s possible to build even some of the most complex electronic circuit boards with a lot of ease. 

By using this technology, you can achieve smaller assemblies with excellent repeatability. All this is due to the high levels of automation and precision that come with Surface Mount Technology technology. Many makers now use this technology as it enables them to design small PCBs that are lightweight and compact quickly. Better yet, it&#;s a much faster process compared to through-hole technology. Surface Mount Technology doesn&#;t call for too much work during the assembly. SMT is a simple process of picking and placing PCB components on the board. 

(A surface mount technology machine)

Diving Into Surface Mount Technology&#;s History

SMT first entered the electronics world between and before slowly taking over through-hole technology. Of course, the worldwide rise of SMT electronics gave this PCB assembly technique a striking reputation. It made those products more functional while shrinking their footprint. At this time, digital cameras, camcorders, and video recorders had SMT circuits.

Ever since , 3D assembly, high-density assembly, and micro-assembly have quickly advanced. And we&#;re seeing a downfall of electronics with through-hole technology &#; dropping at 11% per year! Meanwhile, those using surface-mount technology hit an 8% growth.

More Terms For SMT PCBs

PCB with active/passive components.

Everyone might use other ways to describe the process behind PCB component assembly.  All of these are listed below:

SME

Surface-mount equipment (SME) uses assembling machinery to add components to the circuit boards. 

SMA 

When dealing with surface-mount assembly, you&#;re making a circuit board that has all the components attached to its surface. This involves gathering those pieces and checking them for quality after assembling everything.

SMD

Another one is surface-mount devices (SMD), which have electromechanical, active, and passive components. You should note that SMD is more about those specific parts and not the additional binding materials, like solder. 

SMC


Surface-mount components (SMC) involve attaching each circuit part onto the PCB when everything is put together. However, the solder doesn&#;t go on at the same time as the components.

SMP 

You&#;ll use surface-mount packages (SMP) to connect components like chips more easily. These are case forms with a 4-digit ID. The first two numbers indicate the component length, while the last two indicate the width.

Ways To Fabricate

SMT has three fabrication techniques for PCB assembly. Each category, type 1A/1 B, type 2, and type 3, attaches all the parts differently.

  • Type 1A: Each component gets added on the PCB&#;s primary side. 
  • Type 1B: You can have the components placed on any one of the board&#;s two sides. Be aware that the secondary side will need adhesive once the paste goes on it.
  • Type 2: This one puts the surface mount and through-hole components on the primary side of the PCB. However, if you have SMT types, they will go on the secondary side.
  • Type 3: All the components get added on both the primary and secondary sides. But the through-hole ones are placed on the primary side. 

SMT IC Package Types

Ball grid array integrated circuit on a board.

There are a lot of surface-mount technology packages out there that help with mounting circuit chips. You can look at a few of the more common ones for your PCB:

  • Ball Grid Array (BGA): This type has tiny balls soldered on the chip&#;s bottom surface, which makes it denser. 
  • Quad Flat Package (QFP): A QFP comes in a rectangle or square shape that has leads reaching outward from each side.
  • Small Outline Package (SOP): SOP is small-sized, so it doesn&#;t take up much space on a circuit board and has better mechanical stability.
  • Quad Flat Non-leaded package (QFN): QFN doesn&#;t use any leads and has small metal pads to attach an IC on the board. 
  • Small Outline J-lead package (SOJ): These packages have leads that look like a &#;J&#; and come from two sides opposite each other. 
  • Lead Grid Array (LGA): The lead grid array connects to the PCB via metal pads.

Advantages of SMT technology 

Several advantages come with SMT technology that you need to know. If you are thinking of using SMT technology in your PCB assembly, then you are bound to enjoy some of its benefits. Some of its merits include the following:

Reduced manufacturing costs

Surface Mount Technology comes with the promise of reduced manufacturing costs. SMT gives room for the creation of small PCB designs, hence reduced manufacturing costs. By using SMT, it&#;s possible to place components close to each other on the board. Therefore, manufacturers who use SMT technology enjoy the advantage of highly reduced manufacturing costs. 

Improve work efficiency

SMT technology is also one of the best circuit assembly technologies as it improves work efficiency. This is another reason why many PCB makers lately seem to prefer it.

By relying on SMT, tasks can be completed in a single workday and within the shortest time possible. Unlike PTH technology, which may take some time, such is not the case for SMT.

If you choose to assemble using Surface Mount Technology, work efficiency is a significant assurance that you&#;ll get. 

The overall structure is more straightforward.

The overall structure of the boards you get to manufacture under SMT is simple. Unlike PTH assembled panels, the design of SMT made boards tends to be very simple.

Surface Mount Technology assembled boards don&#;t demand too many technicalities such as drilling. In comparison to panels manufactured using other means, those made under SMT have more superficial structures.

Less error-prone

There&#;s nothing more demanding than having to do circuit board re-works due to errors. Another advantage of SMT technology is the fact that it&#;s less prone to errors. Unlike detailed PTH, Surface Mount Technology isn&#;t into too much detail as such.

It&#;s possible to correct small mistakes for boards made under SMT. Manufacturers prefer this method as it makes them produce many boards without many errors. 

Adaptable to smaller components/high component density

It&#;s possible to place components on both sites of the circuit board using SMT quite easily. Better yet, you can do all this in higher density.

The ability to identify parts close to each other is another advantage that comes with SMT. You can quickly achieve more connections per area and more features per unit area using SMT. 

Higher connection density

SMT technology comes with the promise of higher connection density. Boards made using SMT technology can deliver a message of specific sizes within a particular time. Surface Mount Technology technology allows the delivery of notices, even in constrained locations. 

Need to drill fewer holes. 

SMT technology is cheap. Here, you won&#;t have to drill many holes in your circuit board. SMT technology doesn&#;t call for many spots to carry signals to other parts of the board.

Mounting holes that you can find on SMT assembled PCBs are few. With this technology, there&#;s no need to drill many holes. 

Low radiation emission

Perhaps, one of the most significant advantages that come with SMT technology is low radiation emission. When assembling parts using SMT, you&#;ll encounter low radiation emissions.

Therefore, it means that SMT is slightly a safer assembly method compared to other assembly methods.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance is better than the old technology assembly method.

With SMT, it&#;s possible to achieve a compact package coupled with lower lead induction. Here, you get the assurance of a small radiation loop area, meaning excellent EMC compatibility. Again, this is another merit that applies if you use SMT technology. 

(PCB SMT assembly)

Disadvantages of SMT technology

Even though SMT technology comes with several advantages, as highlighted above, SMT has some demerits. The following are some disadvantages that you&#;ll encounter if you use SMT. While they aren&#;t many, they are worth noting, especially if you are considering using it.

Mechanical stress on the board

Since SMT technology ensures the placement of components close to each other, mechanical stress chances are high. Mechanical stress is disadvantageous, and many PCB makers hope to avoid it. Mechanical stress affects the overall functionality of a printed circuit board. On a PCB, mechanical stress brings about board fatigue. 

Unfortunately, this issue comes with SMT technology. With the placement of components so close to each other, the avoidance of mechanical stress becomes impossible. Much worse, due to mechanical stress, the solder tends to weaken quite quickly. Such, therefore, make SMT somewhat undesirable in some way. 

Environmental pressure

To some extent, SMT is not suitable for the environment. Unfortunately, this is another disadvantage of SMT. The mounting components using SMT requires too much heat. A lot of heat is not only dangerous to the assembler but also to the environment. Unfortunately, that&#;s the problem that comes with SMT. While this technology may be cost-effective, at times, it&#;s not ideal for the environment. That&#;s the reason why PTH technology does well when it comes to environmental protection. 

Temperature stress

Temperature stress affects electromechanical components, limiting their functionality. The same is true when it comes to printed circuit boards assembled under SMT. Since SMT involves the assembly of parts close to each other, temperature stress is a strong possibility. Matters concerning temperature stress accompanies PCBs manufactured under Surface Mount Technology. 

Incompatible with some parts

Finally, yet importantly, the use of SMT makes other parts incompatible with others. Picking and placing components on a board come with its challenges. There are claims of some features failing to fit or be inconsistent with each other when using SMT. Parts incompatibility is also another significant disadvantage that accompanies Surface Mount Technology. 

 

(Factory workers checking for SMT faults)

The necessary process of SMT 

SMT is not a difficult undertaking, as you may imagine. Even though PCB assemblers do it differently, it mostly involves eight necessary processes. 

The first process involves printing the solder paste on the board. Here, producers use a screen-printing machine. This step aims at ensuring that the welding of components on the pad goes well. 

Mount the parts

Secondly, the mounting of parts follows. Parts mounting involves careful component placement on a fixed PCB. 

Solidification

After parts placement, the process of solidification follows. The function of solidifying is to melt the SMT adhesives. This way, manufacturers ensure that surface mount components stick correctly on the board. A curing oven located at the back of the placement machine carries out solidification. 

Reflow welding

After solidification, reflow welding follows. The purpose of reflow welding is to ensure that the solder melts and the PCB board&#;s splicing. 

Automatic Optical Inspection

The fifth step after reflow soldering is Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI). The primary purpose of AOI is to check both the welding and assembly quality. With Automatic Optical Inspection, it&#;s possible to detect errors early enough before releasing the boards to the market. That&#;s necessary before going into mass production of circuit boards. 

Board cutting

After Automatic Optical Inspection, they are cutting the board follows. Designers cut the board to form a single individual. There are several machine-cutting methods used here. 

Grind the board

After cutting the board to the required shape, grinding soon follows. Grinding is one of the essential SMT processes. The primary role of grinding is to ensure the milling off the burr. Milling off burr ensures that you end up with a smooth board. During board production, you&#;ll undoubtedly encounter rough edges. Milling ensures the smoothening of rough edges. 

Milling of the board

After milling, the last process follows: washing the board. Cleaning the board ensures the removal of harmful welding residues such as flux.

You can do board cleaning either manually or by using a machine. Special machines can help you get the best cleaning results. Luckily, you can do the cleaning manually if you cannot afford such specialized cleaning machines. 

(SMT machine at work)

What is the difference between SMT and SMD?

There&#;s a considerable difference between SMT and SMD. Unfortunately, many don&#;t understand the difference between the two. If you are here, count yourself lucky. Here, you&#;ll appreciate the difference between SMT and SMD. 

Let&#;s begin with SMT. SMT (Surface Mount Technology) is the entire technology that involves the soldering and mounting of electronic components on a circuit board. Electronic features include capacitors, resistors, and transistors on a PCB, to mention but a few. Even though you can place pieces manually, mostly, manufacturers use special machines. With machines, the results are primarily perfect and of high quality. 

Special SMT machines, mostly known as Pick-and-Place machines, carefully pick and place all the components and places them on a circuit board. Again, you may do this manually if you so wish or have experience of doing it manually. However, you may have to go for the required pick and place machines for the best results for the best products for the best results. 

Surface Mount Devices (SMD) are components that manufacturers mount on electronic circuits for the circuit to work. SMT is the technology, while SMD is the parts that fit onto a bare circuit board. The fundamental components must find their way to the board using the SMT process. Mostly, manufacturers willing to remain competitive use machines to mount and solders SMD on a bare board. 

In the early stages, the placement of surface mount devices was mostly by hand. However, with improved technology, pick and place machines assumed this role. These machines are perfect for picking and putting all the parts on a circuit board. They do the job faster and much more efficiently than picking and manually placing the components. 

How Are SMT and Through-hole PCB Different From Each Other?

Circuit board assembled via SMT.

Surface-mount technology isn&#;t the same as through-hole, and they offer special approaches and features. 

  • An SMT component may have more pins compared to the through-hole ones.
  • The price for SMT production machines is costly.
  • SMT uses less space on the circuit board. 
  • There&#;s a higher cost when it comes to producing through-hole components.
  • Choosing surface mount technology means you will need better design and manufacturing skills.
  • Surface mount technology makes your circuit faster &#; it will have a smaller size with no holes. 
  • Because of their high compactness, SMT components are denser.
  • Through-hole technology is ideal for large/hefty components, which may go through recurring mechanical stresses.
  • Assembly automation is possible with SMT, and that works best for manufacturing in bulk. 

Common SMD components 

There are plenty of surface mount device components. All these devices work in unison to make up a functioning circuit. Some of the most common SMD components that you&#;ll on a board include the following:

Passive components: passive SMD

Most passive components include inductance, capacitance, and composite devices. On a circuit board, passive SMD components are mostly cylindrical and rectangular. The mass of these components is also ten times lower in comparison to through-hole members. 

Transistors and resistors

Transistors and resistors are also standard SMD components. If you look around, you won&#;t miss resistors and transistors on a PCB. Resistors divide voltages, reduce the current flow, and adjust signal levels.

Apart from resistors, you&#;ll also find transistors on a PCB. Transistors amplify and switch electronic power and electronic signals on a printed circuit board.

A transistor can work as a switch and an amplifier at the same time. The moment there&#;s no current to the base, then little to current will flow between the emitter and the collector. 

Diode

You&#;ll always find diodes on printed circuit boards. But what are the functions of diodes? Diodes are two-terminal devices that allow fluent electric flow, but only in one direction. They mostly convert Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC). Diodes mix signals. They also isolate sig.

Integrated circuits

Integrated circuits are simple logic chips. Without integrated circuits, a board will not function as they help passing signals and reducing board temperature. 

(Common SMD components: transistors ad resistors)

The equipment we need for SMT technology

For SMT to go well or the way you want, you&#;ll need several essential equipment types. If you desire to produce in high volume, then you must have the best tools in place. Some of the equipment that you&#;ll need to include the following:

Placement Machines

Placement machines pick and place PCB components into their required paces. This machine efficiently picks the entire surface mount components and puts them to their required place on the board.

You need to understand that these machines tend to be costly. But at the end of the day, it will give you the perfect results. 

Programmers

You can&#;t ignore the quality of input programmers bring in Surface Mount Technology as a manufacturer. Programmers do help in writing and subsequently testing PCB components. Also, they help in the maintenance of SMD in one place as they function on a circuit board. 

Wave soldering machines

The Wave soldering machines are also essential equipment necessary in PCB production. Wave soldering involves the passing of circuit boards over a pan of molten solder.

Wave soldering comes with its advantages. The most significant benefit that comes with this process is the possibility of designing many circuit boards. Manufacturers can make these boards in the shortest time possible. 

Printers

Printers are also essential equipment in Surface Mount Technology technology. Manufacturers use them to print SMDs during PCB Rapid Prototyping. 3D PCB Printing not only makes the PCB but it also does the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA. Without printers, you&#;ll experience a complicated assembly process. Your work may not come out as desired at all. 

Ovens

Ovens play a significant role in the manufacture of PCBs. Mostly, ranges ensure proper solidification of solder paste on the circuit board. With proper solidification, the placement and adequate drying for SMD components take place as planned. 

Automated Optical Inspection System Machine

As the name suggests, AOI machines check for the quality of the boards. These machines ensure manufacturers make high-quality boards before releasing them to the market. 

Once you have all the above equipment in place, you&#;ll be able to produce high-volume boards. Better yet, you stand a chance of making boards that adhere to ISO standards.

As said earlier, you can achieve board mounting manually. However, for the best results, you may want to consider the use of particular machines. 

Failure to employ special machines may see you producing faulty or malfunctioning boards. If not mistaken, then you may end creating panels that don&#;t meet the market value.

If you look around, you&#;ll notice that notable PCB makers use some of the market&#;s market&#;s market&#;s best equipment.

Some of the best names in the industry use the latest equipment to manufacture their products. 

(SMT placement machine at work)

Application of SMT technology

Surface mount technology finds a lot of use in the production of nearly all electronics circuits today. Surface Mount Technology is usable for the mounting of almost all electrical components on a PCB. If you desire the perfect PCB Rapid Prototyping. 3D PCB Printing not only makes the PCB but it also does the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA process, then you&#;ll apply SMT. Surface Mount Technology finds practically exclusive use in WellPCB. We will provide you with one-stop service and high-quality products. You can send us the documents you need to make and get a quote immediately! What are we waiting for? We have ten years of PCB manufacturing and assembly. 

This technology encapsulates more electronic components into smaller spaces on a PCB. SMT is a technology that will continue to grow in years to come as it is not ending anytime soon. If you are a printed circuit board assembler, then that is the best way to go is by using this technology. Even though it may cost you more, SMT is one of the best technologies to use. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of China Custom Two-Sided Conveyor Belt for Material Handling. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

(SMT technology at hand)

The future development trend of SMT technology

Surface Mount Technology isn&#;t hitting a reverse gear anytime soon based on predictions. SMT is driving thin, lightweight, reliable, and complex functionality in electronic products. Such is bound to even increase in the years to follow. Based on projections, Surface Mount Technology will increase by US$5.42 billion by the year . In the future, they&#;ll be high on efficiency and further acceptability of SMT technology. They&#;ll also be the development of environmentally friendly Surface Mount Technology Bill Of Materials (BOM) of a PCB get fitted onto a board. PCB assembly in a few years ahead. 

(Development and checking of PCBs manufactured under SMT technology)

Summary

SMT comes with several advantages. SMT is cost-effective and time manufacturing. With SMT, you can utilize both sides of the board for placing your electrical components. The lesser cost of setup, as well as manufacturing, is another advantage that accompanies SMT technology. 

Do you have an upcoming SMT PCB project? Call us today to learn more about PCBs.

Top Benefits & Features Of Turnkey PCB Assembly

PCB Assembly

HemeixinPCB is a one-stop solution for all circuit board production and assembly services. Everywhere from PCB circuit board manufacturing to assembly, our clients trust us to be their complete turn-key provider for any project.

For complete key-turn services, we produce everything, including manufacturing the circuit boards, finding and ordering PCB components, printed circuit board assembly, surface mount PCB assembly, quality inspections, testing, and the final circuit board and product assembly.

The final lead time for your circuit board assembly order comprises the procurement lead time plus the complete lead time. On average, lead times for PCB assembly are typically between 1-5 working days for PCB assembly alone, and between 10-16 working days for turn-key PCB assembly.

At HemeixinPCB, we offer the following PCB assembly services:

Please see the provided table below for our complete list of conventional PCB prototypes and their delivery timeframes.

  • Quick-turn PCB assembly
  • PCB Prototype assembly
  • High volume PCB Assembly
  • Turnkey PCB assembly
  • Partial turn-key assembly
  • Consignment assembly
  • Surface Mount technology PCB Assembly
  • Ball Grid Array(BGA) assembly
  • Mixed assembly
  • Rigid flex printed circuit board assembly
  • RoHS compliant lead-free assembly
  • Non-RoHS assembly

Three Ways to Order PCB Prototype Assembly

Turnkey PCB assembly: We source all components required
Consigned PCB assembly: You send all components to us
Combo PCB assembly: You send some of the components and we source the rest

Files required for bare-board fabrication: Gerber files, drill files, IPC-356A (optional)

Files required for SMT assembly: Gerber files, drill files, X-Y data, Bill of Materials (BOM) in Excel format (for both consigned and turnkey orders).

Prototype PCB Assembly


Turnkey Prototype PCB Assembly is our specialty. With our professional soldering technicians, SMT Process Engineers, and Component Procurement specialists we provide an affordable and highly flexible PCB Assembly Process with Fast Turnaround.

We handle Complete PCB Assembly for prototype quantities from 1 to 25 boards. This service allows you to have complex designs built for testing with high-quality, professional electronic assembly workmanship, so you never have to worry about assembly quality factoring into your test results. Our proto assembly area has an unique layout design that allows a flexible combination of Automated and Manual part loading stations. We can also easily handle Fine Pitch Components and BGAs for high density FR-4 boards.


Turn-Key PCB Assembly is our core business, even for prototype projects. With our expertise and resources, we do everything for you from PCB Prototyping, component purchasing, and circuit board assembly under one roof. We can also assemble from kitted parts or Consigned Parts if you prefer.

Avoid the hassle of sourcing PCB components and focus on your design instead! Our procurement team will deal with as many component distributors as is needed to fulfill the procurement task in the best possible way! We will optimize the choice of packaging (cut tape, tube, bulk, etc.) versus quantity in smaller Bills of Materials (BOMs) to lower total cost. We have the ability to cross reference parts including hard to find and obsolete items. We always purchase the part numbers and manufacturers specified in your BOM, so there is no danger of part quality issues caused by unauthorized substitutions. We never make any changes to your design without your express approval.

BGA PCB Assembly

BGA (Ball Grid Array) Assembly Services with X-ray Inspection

Hemeixin has been providing BGA assembly, including BGA Rework and BGA Reballing services in the Printed Circuit Board Assembly industry since . With state-of-the-art BGA placement equipment, high-precision BGA assembly processes, cutting-edge X-Ray Inspection equipment, and highly customizable Complete PCB Assembly solutions, you can rely on us to build high quality and high yield BGA boards

BGA PCB Assembly Capability


We have a wealth of experience handling all types of BGAs, including DSBGA and other Complex Components, from micro BGAs (2mmX3mm) to large size BGAs (45 mm); from ceramic BGAs to plastic BGAs. We are capable of placing minimum 0.4 mm pitch BGAs on your PCB.

Printed Circuit Board Assembly

A circuit board prior to assembly of electronic components is known as PCB. Once electronic components are soldered, the board is called Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) or Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) or PCB Assembly.

A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) describes the finished board after all the components have been soldered and installed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The conductive pathways engraved in the laminated copper sheets of PCBs are used within a non-conductive substrate in order to form the assembly. Attaching the electronic components to the PCBs is the concluding action to create a fully operational electronic device.

Assembling a printed circuit board requires more than just the raw components and a well-designed board. It also requires the right technology. In this case, there are several options to choose from, and each brings something different to the table. For instance, there&#;s surface mount technology (SMT), as well as manual soldering, and the use of pick and place machines.

While some PCB assembly processes will require just one technology, others will require a combination of two or more technologies. For example, many boards require the combination of through-hole technology (THT) and surface mount technology. Understanding when, where, and how to integrate those technologies is a critical consideration when choosing a company to handle your project or production.

High volume PCB Assembly

Count on us for any kind of high volume PCB assembly requirements at unbeatable price! When it comes to PCB Assembly, the requirements vary in volume. If you are mass producing a product you would need high volume printed circuit board assembly service to meet your requirements. Typically projects of 10,000 pieces or more are classified as high volume PCB Assembly service and needs a dependable partner who can supply it.

Test methods such as Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI), Solder Paste Inspection (SPI), In-Circuit Testing (ICT), Functional Circuit Testing (FCT), and X-Ray inspection are selected based upon a client&#;s request, as well as the specific requirements for each large volume assembly projects. Design for Testing (DFT) becomes very important at large volume since ICT and FCT will likely be performed using a Bed of Nails test, rather than the Flying Probe test that is common at prototype and low volume. We also provide a free sample program for large batch turnkey orders, in which we will assemble a limited run of boards for approval by our clients prior to the majority of the order being completed. These quality control methods allow us to offer a full warranty on our PCBs; in the event of any board failures that are not due to design issues, we pledge to rework or replace any defective PCBs. This is part of our NPI strategy to work with our clients to ensure the quality and viability of their printed circuit boards prior to high volume production and assembly.

We utilize a robust NPI system which ensures close monitoring of new products from the quotation stage to final shipment. Throughout this process, we assess our client&#;s orders for manufacturability (DFM), testability (DFT), as well as the costs and turn-time from an engineering point of view. We are committed to working with our clients to provide design recommendations, which decrease overall costs and turn-time without sacrificing final quality of their orders. This is based on a variety of assembly and manufacturing capabilities provided by our production facility for high volume printed circuit board assembly. We can accommodate both SMT and THT assembly for a range of components and packages. For SMT we provide assembly for QFN, QFP, LGA, and BGA IC packages, plus many more, down to a pitch of 0.2mm with imperial ( metric) being the smallest passive component size.

Quick Turn PCB Assembly

Whether you are in a jam and you need your printed circuit board assemblies quickly, or you are in a rapid, fast-paced prototyping environment and need a quick turnaround on a regular basis, we are here to help.

The final lead time will depend on the complexity and quantity of the PCB assemblies you need. As circuit board assemblies get more complex (higher number of copper layers and component counts), the number of processes increase. Simple boards can be turned around next day, but more complex printed circuit boards will likely need longer lead times. Prototype assemblies that can be hand soldered will have quicker turnarounds compared to assemblies that need stencils, SMT programming, and tooling.

Our PCBA quoting team processes hundreds of RFQs each month, so making sure you have complete and correct documentation helps us continue to provide the high level of customer service we have become known for. Here are some of the issues we sometimes run into:

  • Incomplete Bill of Materials (BOM): If we are sourcing components, we need BOMs to have complete manufacturer part numbers. If there are 1 or 2 missing part numbers, we can live with that. However, if the entire BOM is missing manufacturer part numbers, we ask that you complete the BOM before sending it in for quoting.
  • Obsolete, non-stocked, or out of stock components: If we are sourcing components, and you are looking for a quick turnaround, one component that has a 12 week lead time is likely a show stopper. Help us know what our options are a head of time. For example, identify the hard to find components and let us know that you plan on supplying them or that we can Do Not Install (DNI) specific components.
  • Missing components on the BOM: When we are quoting your PCB assembly, we review the BOM against the Gerber/Drill files. When we see parts that are on the board, but not on the BOM, we do not know if you accidentally forgot to put them on the BOM or if they are DNIs. This is important to know for our quoting process. Please add all parts to your BOM, but label them as DNI if they are not to be installed.

We maintain global quality standards throughout our electronic PCB assembly operations by performing rigorous checking, analysis and inspections. Owing to a rich industry experience, we have gained expertise in dealing with all kinds of PCB assembly orders, no matter how difficult your project may be. These are some of the reasons that have made us one of the leading and prominent sources for high quality and dependable PCB assembly services.

Surface Mount technology PCB Assembly

Surface mount PCBs assembly occurs when electrical components (surface-mount devices) are machine picked and mounted directly onto the surface of the PCB. During this process, thousands of electrical components are attached and connected to their contact pads using reflow soldering.

Nowadays, the majority of electronic assemblies are designed using surface mount components and technology. This is in part because SMT allows for increased quality and a reduction in manufacturing costs due to the high degree of automation.

However, surface mount assembly presents challenges to manufacturers which must be met through the astute selection of appropriate production equipment. This expertise allows us to design products which are completed in one pass down an automatic SMD assembly line without any extra hand assembly work other than to snap the circuit board into a moulded enclosure. Over the years, our electronic assemblers have optimised their methods to achieve a highly efficient SMT process that is second to none across the China.

Through hole PCB Assembly

Through hole PCB assembly is the process of mounting electronic components onto a printed circuit board (PCB) through holes drilled in the board. The through-hole mounting is used to connect the component leads to conductive pads on either side of the hole. This type of connection is commonly used for larger components, such as integrated circuits (ICs), that require more support than surface-mount components.

Through hole PCB assembly is a complex process that requires a high degree of accuracy and precision. The through-holes must be drilled with extreme precision in order to ensure that the through-hole components can be properly mounted onto the board. Once the through-holes are drilled, the mounting process begins in which the components must be carefully placed into the through-holes and soldered into place.

After the through-hole components are mounted, the PCB through hole assembly process is completed by connecting the through-hole leads to the appropriate conductive pads on the PCB. This connection can be made using a variety of methods, such as soldering with solder paste, welding, wave soldering, or brazing.

Through Hole PCB Assembly Services

1. Manual and Automated Through Hole Components Placement:

At hemeixin, we provide our clients with both manual and automated services. We carefully place through hole components onto your PCB through either manual assembly or automated assembly, whichever options suit you the best!

2. Through-Hole Soldering:

Once the components are in place, we will solder them into place using a variety of methods, such as leaded and lead-free soldering, wave soldering, solder paste printing, hand soldering with solder paste, and reflow soldering.

3. Testing and Inspection:

After the through hole components are soldered, we will test your PCB to ensure that it is functioning properly. We will inspect your through hole PCB assembly for any shorts, open circuits, or other defects. We even subject mechanical and environmental stress to your PCB to test the manufacturing efficiency.

4. All Types of Components Installments:

Whether you have radial lead components or smt components for your surface mount devices, our team has the expertise to install components of all shapes and sizes! We also pride ourselves on the installment of surface mount components and axial lead components.

5. Fast Turnaround Time:

We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to through-hole PCB assembly. We offer a fast turnaround time for all your through hole assembly needs! We deliver the best and the latest through-hole technology techniques in the shortest amount of time!

6. Flexible Scheduling:

We offer flexible scheduling for all your through hole assembly projects! We work with you to come up with a schedule that works best for you and your team. We understand that every project is different and has different needs.

7. Through Hole Mounting Services:

We also offer through-hole mounting services for your PCB! We carefully and efficiently mount your thru-hole components, as well as surface mount components, onto the PCB. We use a variety of methods to do this, such as manual assembly or automated assembly.

8. Quality Assurance:

At Hemeixin, we pride ourselves on our high standards of quality assurance. We test and inspect every through-hole and surface mount assembly that leaves our facility. We even perform 100% inspection with ESD precautions to test the manufacturing efficiency.

9. Experienced Team:

Our team of through-hole assembly experts is certified and well-trained. They have years of experience in the field of PCB manufacturing and assembly. They are experts in their field and are up-to-date with the latest technology!

10. Customer Service:

We offer outstanding customer service for all your through-hole assembly needs! We are here to answer any questions that you may have about our services. We work closely with you to ensure that your through-hole PCB assembly project is a success!

11. Competitive Pricing:

We offer competitive pricing for all your through hole PCB assembly projects! We understand that every project is different and has different needs. We work with you to come up with a price that fits your budget.

12. Satisfaction Guaranteed:

We are dedicated to providing the best through hole PCB assembly services possible. We guarantee that you will be 100% satisfied with our services! If for any reason you are not satisfied with our services, we will do everything we can to make it right!

Advantages of full turnkey pcb assembly

Take less time in PCB assembly

Fabrication depends on the three stages including PCB prototype, PCB fabrication, and PCB assembly which are primary in manufacturing the printed circuit boards. Previously PCB manufacturing was a complicated task, where manufacturers sometimes face a lot of issues. But with the help of technology, the process is so smooth, which reduces the manufacturing time by half.

Complete turnkey PCB assembly is a fast solution for companies that need an effective form of electronic assembly. When the PCB turnkey Assembly was introduced, it reduced the amount of time and provided overseas solutions to the clients that made the PCB assembly three times faster. With our complete turnkey services, get the best printed circuit boards in minimal time!

Cost-effective PCB assembly

Turnkey PCB assemblies have given several ways of reducing the cost in manufacturing. You can get the finest printed circuit board delivered without any trouble that can take place during the procurement process. The best turnkey PCB assembly experts can prepare the printed circuit board with all its components and reduce manufacturing costs.

Why Partner With Hemeixinpcb for Full Turnkey PCB Assembly Services?


With a single source approach, we can take any complex project, and turn it around in a short lead time, whilst not compromising on the quality. Being a leading form of electronic assembly, turnkey PCB assembly services bring several benefits to the customers as follow.

  • Our full turnkey PCB assembly is a highly-efficient and fast form of electronic assembly. You don&#;t need to worry about managing multiple vendors as we take care of the entire fabrication.
  • With our full turnkey PCB assembly services, you can build and refine prototypes faster, easier, and cost-effectively.
  • We are all equipped to handle (through-hole, surface mount, mixed) small batch of boards or full production runs.
  • We have verified supply chain networks to support the entire process of turnkey assembly. With end-to-end solutions from a single provider, you can gain significant cost savings, too.
  • We have a team of highly qualified staff who are experienced in working on turn-key circuit board assembly. They not only help meet your expectation in terms of quality, but also complete your projects faster.

For whichever PCB assembly you require, HemeixinPCB has you covered. We understand that a quick turnaround is integral to any project&#;s success, which is why we don&#;t just assure a premium-quality product and superior service, but we also ensure a speedy assembly &#; that&#;s our promise to you. 

What is Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)?

The term &#;electronics manufacturing services&#; (EMS) refers to an overall industry and also to a specific class of subcontractor or company. EMS is also often used interchangeably with the more generic term &#;contract manufacturing (CM)&#;. In short, EMS companies provide a wide range of value-added engineering and manufacturing outsourcing services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), allowing them to improve operational efficiencies and focus on core activities like research and development (R&D).

Electronics manufacturing services (EMS) is a term used for companies that design, manufacture, test, distribute, and provide return/repair services for electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The concept is also referred to as electronics contract manufacturing (ECM).

Electronics manufacturing companies are critical partners for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), who need expert assistance with assembly and supply chain management. The services of electronics manufacturers include the assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBA), the production of electronic modules, as well as the entire devices . Behind the success of many products introduced to the market is a professional and reliable supplier &#; an EMS company. Before we go further, let&#;s stop for a second to cover the definition of electronics manufacturing services, and what does it refer to.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) - Definition

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) applies to the entire industry as well as to a specific class of subcontractors or companies. It is often used interchangeably with the term Contract Manufacturing Services (CMS) or Contract Electronics Manufacturing (CEM). Electronics Manufacturing companies provide a very broad range of manufacturing and accompanying services, such as supply chain management, engineering and product management support, as well as after sales support. Designed especially for OEMs, the services of EMS providers allow manufacturers to focus on their core business, i.e., product research and development, as well as sales and marketing of their devices.

Electronics Manufacturing Applications

From various industrial sectors up to the medical industry, more and more OEM&#;s are increasingly searching for electronic manufacturing services. Gone are the days when OEMs decided to work with a contractor for purely operational and strictly assembly-only reasons. Today, it is part of a well-thought-out overall business strategy.

Indeed, manufacturers have discovered that with a collaborative approach, they can achieve significant benefits that improve their customer service and quality of their products, as well as enable them to react faster to dynamic market changes. Thus, the total costs are reduced and OEMs achieve a value they would have a hard time to build on their own.

A few critical applications and their specifics that are worth having a glance at, are:

Medical devices: OEMs from the healthcare industry look at adequate certifications (ISO ), as well as tight process control and above average quality standards at the electronic manufacturing provider.

Industrial automation devices: a broad segment of devices that relate to industry-related devices, mainly used for control and automation of various processes. EMS providers supporting industrial electronics are required to be able to adequately manage high-mix low-volume production and support a variety of processes for OEMs (printed circuit board assembly, conformal coating, final assembly, electro-mechanical integration, testing).

What are the capabilities of Electronics Manufacturing Services providers?

One of the main services offered by the electronics manufacturing services providers is the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) capabilities. Currently, the technological advancements allows a very fast and high-quality assembly, due to precise components placement capabilities. A sophisticated SMT assembly line is priced even on the level of millions of dollars, thus it may be an extremely high investment for an OEM. However, if they leverage the fact that the electronics manufacturers produce for a variety of Customers, they can gain access to a modern, fast, and flexible production lines for assembling complex electronic boards at a reasonable price.

Furthermore, many EMS companies provide assembly processes for combining printed circuit board assembly, together with cable harnesses assembly, box build or electro-mechanical assemblies along with the testing procedures. This provides the complete assembly services, where the OEM gets a complete offer and does not have to at all be involved in the production process at all.

The scope of services that electronic manufacturing services companies provide will vary one from another, depending on their strategy and capabilities. In summary, you can expect the following assembly services:

  • PCB assembly (inc. SMT Assembly, THT Assembly and Conformal Coating)
  • Box Build (including Potting)
  • Electromechanical assembly (including Cabinet Assembly)
  • End-of-Line Testing on finished Product
  • Burn-in Testing at PCBA or Product level
  • Wire & Cable Harness Manufacturing, Validation (continuity, pull) and Spooling
  • Packaging Services &#; product box/gift box design, master carton design
  • Supply Chain Management & Product Warehousing
  • Product Sustenance & Maintenance
  • After-Sales Services (such as refurbishments, repairs, upgrades etc.)

Working with a partner that offers wide-scope electronics manufacturing services means that the OEM gets all required services under one roof and within a one process flow, keeping every aspect of the entire process under control.

We provide world-class electronic manufacturing services currently used in:

  • Energy Efficient EC (Electronically Commutated) Motors
  • Medical and Beauty Devices
  • Industrial Power Protection
  • Fan and Blower Assemblies
  • Consumer Electronics &#; IoT Wearables
  • Security Systems
  • Pump Controllers
  • Refrigeration IoT Controls
  • Power Control Assemblies
  • Network infrastructure
  • Industrial controls
  • Automatic Meter Reading
  • Defense/Homeland Security
  • Electrical Power Generation
  • LED Lighting Solutions
  • Safety Systems
  • Radio Frequency Systems
  • Vehicle Systems
  • Laboratory Instrumentation

Where to Find the Best Electronics Manufacturing Services Companies

Electronics manufacturing services companies are a dime a dozen in today&#;s marketplace. To find the best ones, you need to do some research and choose a company that best meets your needs. Here are a few ways to find the best companies:

  • Ask your peers: It&#;s always good to talk to people you trust and have them refer you to electronics manufacturing services companies.
  • Find a manufacturer&#;s rep: These people will make it their job to find the best company that can manufacture your product and source components.
  • Trade shows: Find trade shows for your industry or for the PCB industry generally; manufacturers reps and contract manufacturers often attend these events.
  • Work with a product design and engineering firm: Product design and engineering firms can often recommend a suitable EMS company to produce your design.

Electronics manufacturing is a highly competitive industry and it&#;s important to choose the right company to produce your products. To find the best companies, do your research and make sure you understand their process and capabilities.

At HemeixinPCB, we understand the importance of having quick turnarounds for your printed circuit board assembly. We are specialists at providing optimized turnkey services&#;all you need to do is provide the documentation and we&#;ll take care of the rest.

As an expert PCB assembly manufacturer, HemeixinPCB also provides both rigid and flex PCB services. We will handle your turnkey specification with exacting detail, including ordering various components you require, assembling the circuit board, and inspecting the quality to ensure your satisfaction every step of the way.

It is easy to make circuit board assembly an overly-complex process involving multiple parties and vendors. We at HemeixinPCB take care your PCB assembly needs, including sourcing materials from third parties to ensure that you receive a premium product that meets your specification. Our relationship with our suppliers is well established, so you can be sure to receive reliable and fast turnarounds.

We have a rich pool of experience regarding PCB prototype assembly, so you can trust us to deliver the highest quality assembly. You can rest assured that we will take care of all the details needed to create your prototype in the quantities you require, so that you can focus on your business.

We understand that the trick to providing reliable, fast, and low-price services when it comes to PCB prototype assembly is to have control of the whole product lifecycle. This allows us to process through orders in a more streamlined and efficient manner, ultimately benefitting you, your business, and your product.

If your product requires component-rich designs, our surface mount PCB assembly is the way to go. It is lower cost, faster, and doesn&#;t require the drilling, unlike through-hole assembly.

Look no further if you&#;re searching for professional and high-quality surface mount PCB assembly. We provide surface mount soldering and through-hole soldering at low costs.

Want more information on Smt Surface Mount Device? Feel free to contact us.