Printed Circuit Board Assembly – Advanced Circuits | PCB Manufacturing & PCB Assembly https://www.4pcb.com/blog Printed Circuit Boards and PCB Assembly Manufacturer Blog Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:57:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Three Ways to Have PCB Assembly Done Right /blog/three-ways-to-have-pcb-assembly-done-right/ Fri, 21 May 2021 17:27:27 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2409 Continue reading ]]> Circuit boards are in virtually everything electronic device you use, and while they are common, that doesn’t mean they’re simple. Printed circuit boards are complicated business, and to be assembled properly, require the right tools, the right parts, and the right know-how. Trusting a professional to perform the assembly means ensures that throughout the process, quality control measures will be followed and testing would be performed so you can rest assured knowing when you receive the PCB back, it will be functioning as needed. But what is the process for PCB assembly? Do you need to simply let the company know what you need, or are you required to submit every piece and part? Advanced Circuits makes PCB solutions easy – your assembly can be ordered in one of three different ways.

Advanced Circuits PCB Assembly

Turnkey PCB Assembly

Choosing turnkey printed circuit board assembly is a great solution for any business. With this option, our professionals will gather all necessary parts and components as well as assemble the PCB. This PCB assembly solution is cost-effective and helps save time as we will ensure we have everything we need for the proper build.

Kitted/Consigned PCB Assembly

For those who know exactly what they want in their PCB, but perhaps don’t have the time or equipment to assemble, kitted printed circuit board assembly is a perfect choice. You can purchase all of the components and parts you want and need, and our experts will use each when assembling the PCB. This can help you have better control of production costs and know what to expect with the completed printed circuit board.

Combo PCB Assembly

Perhaps you have a few components you know you want to use in your PCB, but still need some parts to complete your PCB electromechanical assembly – that’s where combo PCB assembly comes in. You supply us with the parts and components you have, and we’ll supply anything you still may need, and professionally assemble it all together. This option still allows you to have some control of the production costs, as well as control over your most important components combined with the ease and time-saving capabilities of the Advanced Circuits team completing the work.

To learn more about our available PCB assembly options, view our quote order process page, or contact us today.

 

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The PCB Assembly Process and What You Should Know /blog/the-pcb-assembly-process-and-what-you-should-know/ Mon, 29 Mar 2021 20:34:51 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2390 Continue reading ]]> Within every single electronic device used today, there’s a printed circuit board (PCB) that makes it operate. The PCB is the heart of electronic devices, whether we’re talking about smart speakers for the home, your new intelligent thermostat, or the digital speedometer in your car. Of course, creating functional electronic devices requires much more than just throwing together a bunch of components and resistors.

The PCB assembly process is critical to get right the first time. A single misstep here could result in malfunctions, lack of functionality, or even the threat of accidents. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most important PCB assembly process steps and what you should know.

It’s Not Board Manufacturing

First and foremost, understand that the PCB assembly process takes place during a specific time in the development of an electronic device. It’s not about manufacturing – that happens first. For instance, at Advanced Circuits, we’ll manufacture the board itself, including all the required layers, creating the traces, and all the other important steps, and then work on PCB assembly.

In short, PCB assembly is the process of bringing everything together into one place and creating something functional out of multiple components. It’s taking that newly manufactured board, adding components and resistors, and then making sure it does what it is intended to do.

Understand the PCB Assembly Technologies

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.

It’s also important to understand that the PCB assembly steps involved with the various technologies differ, as well. Below, we’ve outlined some basic steps involved, as well as how they differ from technology to technology.

The PCB Assembly Process: An Overview

  • Solder Paste: If you’re following a traditional PCB assembly process, the first step is the application of solder paste. Note that this is not the case with THT, but SMT does require paste application and/or printing.
  • Component Placement: In the traditional PCB assembly process, the next step is to place the components on the board. This can be done manually, or it can be done with the assistance of machinery (pick and place systems). In THT assembly, components are placed by hand, which requires incredible precision. In the SMT process, robotic systems place components on the board. Note that automated placement is far faster than manual placement and is just as precise.
  • Reflow: In the traditional PCB assembly process, the next step is reflow, which is when the solder is first melted and then resolidified. The board and all its components move through an oven, which heats the solder, liquifying it and ensuring that connections are formed before the board moves into a cooler, where the solder is cooled.

Note that the THT process does not require reflowing solder. Instead, the second step here is to inspect the board and rectify component placement. This is due to the manual placement process – a visual inspection in conjunction with a design transport frame helps ensure placement accuracy.

In the SMT process, reflow soldering takes place at this time, as well. The board is sent through a furnace, which melts the solder paste, allowing it to flow as necessary, before the board passes through a series of coolers that gradually bring the temperature down, solidifying the solder on the board and cementing the components in place.

  • Inspection: The next step in the traditional PCB assembly process is a visual inspection of the board, soldering, and components. Note that this step has already occurred in the THT and SMT processes.
  • Through-Hole Part Insertion: The traditional process requires that through-hole insertion be done manually, after the reflow and inspection process. Soldering is also often done manually, but it may be done using wave soldering.

Wave soldering occurs during the THT process at this point, as well. The entire board moves over liquid solder and then moves through coolers to solidify the solder.

Note that there is no correlating step in the SMT process (it is actually already finished, and wrapped up after just three steps, although a visual inspection should still be conducted to ensure accuracy and to reduce the potential for errors).

  • Final Inspection and Cleaning: The final step in the traditional PCB assembly process is a final inspection of the board, the solder points, and the components, and a cleaning to ensure that debris or excess solder is removed.

The Right PCB Assembly Process for You

While the SMT assembly process is faster and often more accurate than either the traditional PCB assembly process or the THT process, it is not always the best option. For instance, if you only need a single prototype board assembled, the THT method might be the better choice. Each situation varies and there is no single solution that will always work for every need.

At Advanced Circuits, we understand that needs, budgets, and goals vary. We pride ourselves on offering exactly the solutions each client needs. Whether you’re producing a single prototype for proof of concept needs or you’re ready to move into full production with thousands of units being produced, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation or to learn more about our services and capabilities.

 

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Benefits of Professional Printed Circuit Board Assembly /blog/benefits-of-professional-printed-circuit-board-assembly/ Tue, 06 Oct 2020 21:32:30 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2265 Continue reading ]]> Are you searching for a way to get your circuit boards assembled and ready for the masses? Maybe you need to have a large number of boards ready to go for a new product your company is creating. Perhaps you only need a handful of the boards right now for a test run. You might even be looking for a single prototype that you can test. Instead of attempting to take care of the assembly of the boards on your own, you should instead consider professionally printed circuit board assembly. As you will see below, there are some nice advantages when you are using professionals.

High-Quality Materials and Assembly

When working with a professional company for printed circuit board assembly, they will typically be using the best possible materials and assembly tools for the job. While this may not be true of all companies offering these services, the reputable companies that have been around for a while will. Choosing a company that can offer the best materials and that provides topnotch assembly services helps to ensure that the final product is perfect.

Naturally, you want to be sure that the circuit boards you are using are the best quality they can be before you start to use them or sell them. Choosing professionals rather than trying to assemble them on your own, in-house, will help to ensure this.

Find Errors Early

Even those who have been designing printed circuit boards for years can make mistakes during their design. A mistake that is followed for all of the circuit boards that are constructed would mean a huge error that could cost your company a lot of money. Rather than letting this happen, you could be working with a professional for the printed circuit board assembly.

At Advanced Circuits, for example, we have engineers test the design – even after you have tested it – just to be sure that there are no issues that could crop up down the line. This provides you with the peace of mind you need to go ahead with the full assembly. You will know that the boards will work properly once they have been assembled.

The software that is available through our company is free, and it can do more than just help you design a circuit. It helps to make it easier and reduces the risk of errors. When the boards are submitted, we will check to ensure that they have been designed correctly. The earlier the errors are detected, the better. It means that you can fix those problems before you go into full manufacturing mode.

Save Time

Consider how much time you would be spending if you had to manufacture and assemble all of the PCBs at your own facility. You would need to hire extra people just to keep up with the manufacturing and assembly needs. It would take up a lot of time that could better be spent working on other aspects of your company. It makes far more sense to hire professionals for the printed circuit board assembly. They can take care of the assembly, whether you need one PCB or you are in the market for thousands of boards.

Reduced Manufacturing Costs

Additionally, consider the manufacturing costs that you would have to incur if you assembled the boards on your own. You would need to have a large space available for the printed circuit board assembly. You would have buy all of the materials and tools needed, and more. You would likely be spending far more money than if you had just hired a professional company to take care of the assembly of the boards for you.

You can talk with companies like Advanced Circuits to get an estimate of how much it will cost for the PCBs that are needed. When you compare this with the cost of increasing the size of your facility and hiring more people for the printed circuit board assembly, you will see why outsourcing is such a good idea.

Turnaround Time Can Be Fast

One of the reasons that some companies still consider in-house printed circuit board assembly is because they worry that another company won’t be able to help them meet their deadlines. This is not necessarily true. When you choose a company that is known for having a fast turnaround time, you can get the boards in a matter of days in many cases. Of course, it will depend on just how many of the PCBs are needed and the company you choose for assembly.

Shipped Directly to You

Once the printed circuit board assembly has been completed, the manufacturer can have them shipped right to your door. The shipping time can vary, but when you choose a quality manufacturer like Advanced Circuits, it tends to be fast. This means you will be getting the circuit boards you need quickly.

Choose Advanced Circuits for PCB Needs

Naturally, you will want to be sure that you are choosing only the best for your printed circuit board assembly. You should take the time to consider just what the company offers, along with how fast they will be able to provide you with the completed boards. Price, of course, is another factor. You want to choose a good company that remains affordable and that can provide quality customer service.

Now that you know more about the benefits that are associated with using a professional for printed circuit board assembly, it’s time to find a company that can provide you with what you need. At Advanced Circuits, we strive to provide our customers with the best service and products from start to finish.

Whether you simply need a prototype, you have a short run that you need, or you are looking for a substantial number of boards, we can help. Get in touch with us today.

 

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Designing and Creating Circuit Boards Quickly Has Never Been Easier /blog/designing-and-creating-circuit-boards-quickly-has-never-been-easier/ Fri, 18 Oct 2019 16:36:27 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2032 Continue reading ]]> Turnaround times on production or fabrication of circuit boards is rarely thought of as a fast or rapid process. After all, the many steps involved typically translate to a very lengthy period. From the initial design and output to design for manufacturing or DFM checks, film creation, mapping of copper paths, and all of the way to V-scoring and testing, will require extensive phases. This is often the reason that firms promising same-day turnarounds on some circuit boards are met with a bit of healthy skepticism by those with experience in such matters.

This is also why the same-day turnaround times that a firm like Advanced Circuits offers seem too good to be true, even though they are not.

One-Stop Printed Circuit Boards Shop

With more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry, we are one of the largest and few one-stop solutions for those in need of premium circuit boards and prototypes. With tens of thousands of square feet of production space, we offer clients an in-house PCB assembly system from start to finish.

Our capabilities include:

  • One day PCB – We are one of the few PCB makers that can manufacture and assemble circuit boards and ship them out in as little as a single day
  • Full support – Unlike many other manufacturers, our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and walk all clients through to the final production and assembly phases.
  • Quality – While many in the PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ array of design resources, they also appreciate the inspection process that begins with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
  • Clear pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other hidden, but ultimately unnecessary charges.

Keep in mind that we are also a chosen maker of circuit boards because of our one-stop system. This ensures a totally seamless process that occurs under a single roof and remains consistently in the hands of our designers and engineers. Without any outside vendors and with the option for production and assembly in a single space, there will be fewer risks of delays, problems, and errors.

Beyond In-house Production and Assembly of Circuit Boards

While the convenience and speed that comes with in-house production and assembly of printed circuit boards cannot be overlooked; the capabilities that Advanced Circuits makes available ensure a much more substantial list of benefits can be enjoyed.

For one thing, we impose no minimum orders, making us an ideal solution for small to midsized firms in addition to larger manufacturers. We also make design, even for the novice teams, remarkably foolproof. We do this through:

  • CAM engineer evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers long before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
  • Free design software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, but the Advanced Circuits proprietary and exclusive PCB Artist software is available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It is a free download to a client’s desktop (Windows only at this time) and is capable of up to 28 layers in a single design. The program has over 500k parts from which to choose, integrates a controlled auto-router function to speed up design processes, and offers multi-page schematics for more complex projects. With a complete library of tutorials to train those using the program, there is no reason not to take advantage of it (and the discounts given to clients who opt for the use of our free software).
  • Free evaluation software – For those already using a CAM program of their own, the option for FreeDFM allows the manufacturing quality of a design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and loaded to the online software. This will review the entire file, correct any glitches and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems.
  • Customers get tech support – And while it is great to have customer support around the clock, few PCB firms will offer their clients an opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer. However, Advanced Circuits does have experts of this kind available 24 hours a day.
  • Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the Advanced Circuits’ website, they also have the choice of ordering through it at the same time. They still get that CAM engineer review and the crucial checks for errors, but they can use the software to make the order, too. And when they do, they receive a discount code as an incentive.

We live in a world of outsourcing everything. It is no longer just customer service and other phone service options that are sent overseas. This can make for a lot of difficulties in the design process. Even when there are online solutions that make uploading your proprietary files easier than ever; the danger for grave mistakes presents too many risks involving time, money and reputation. That’s why so many companies choose Advanced Circuits for their PCB manufacturing and assembly.

When you work with Advanced Circuits, you get the kinds of hands-on interaction and attention that the modern world is so short on. Rather than the distinctly “no-touch” approach used by a lot of fabricators (who want to receive your pre-tested files and get to work), we are a distinctly hands-on service. We run the printed circuit boards through rigorous examinations before any part of production begins. Since we are not a broker but are instead that one-stop solution making everything in-house, it is assured that we do all we can to prevent problems.

We have quick turns services specialists with some of the fastest turnaround times and shipping. In fact, we have the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!

When you want a flawless design process full of support and even corrections and adjustments that guarantee success, depend on the Advanced Circuits team to produce and deliver your order.

 

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The Basics of Printed Circuit Board Assembly /blog/the-basics-of-printed-circuit-board-assembly/ Fri, 17 May 2019 21:22:03 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=1939 Continue reading ]]> Printed circuit board assembly, also known as “stuffing” or “populating the bare printed circuit board is quite an intricate process involving many different phases.  Advanced Circuits’ in house printed circuit board assembly service makes ordering your turnkey printed circuit boards a hassle-free experience because you can rely on the industry’s largest support team to help you navigate every step of the process.

In this post, we define some of the basic elements involved in the printed circuit board assembly process.  For a detailed list of PCB assembly requirements, frequently asked questions, and a helpful Assembly Checklist, please visit our Printed Circuit Board Assembly services page.

Solder Paste – Solder paste is a combination of flux, a chemical created to assist in the bonding and melting of the metal, and small fragments of metal (solder) in order to apply the electronic components to the printed circuit board. The paste is placed on the board in specific places along the board in exact amounts with the use of a Solder Stencil and a paste application machine, automatically. When an automatic machine is not available to you, it must be executed manually and with the utmost precision.

Pick and Place Machine – This machine is essential in an automated printed circuit board assembly process.  The machine is programmed to automatically coordinate with complete accuracy the places to precisely mount each electronic component to be soldered to the printed circuit board. These machines are exact and quick. Human pick and place has a much higher potential for errors in addition to being a much slower, more tedious process.

Infrared Reflow – After the precise bonding element (solder paste) is applied to the PCB, the board will be directed to the reflow oven to join the electronic components to the board by melting the solder paste. This “oven” is comprised of many heaters whose main function is to heat the board to a precise temperature and control the level of cooldown as the solder hardens. This process is crucial to the creation of properly functioning electronics. The printed circuit board will run through a series of testing to ensure no issues or short-circuiting nor misalignments have occurred.

Thru-hole PCB Assembly – A method of soldering electronic components in place by hand using drilled holes in the printed circuit board and connecting pads.  This technique creates a stronger physical bond of the component to the printed circuit board but is much more time consuming and the cost of the printed circuit board can increase due to the higher volume of drilled holes.

For a more in-depth list of printed circuit board industry terms, please visit our Glossary of Terms page.

 

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