Considering the today’s global uncertainty, many companies are researching bringing back all or some of their production to our shores. If you’re looking at installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or looking to modify one, it can be daunting; managing multiple vendors providing very complex (and expensive) machines or tools, all with different shipping lead times and logistics, set up procedures, and software compatibility issues. It can be a project management nightmare, especially if you’re trying to run a business.

• Working with our pick and place partners, Restronics Northland can help coordinate and manage this overwhelming task. By partnering with our SMT pick and place partner experts, we can:
• Source all the machines you need for your line (even if we don’t 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 SW 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 make electronic circuits by placing components directly onto the board’s surface. SMT assembly is an alternate method to the through-hole method of printed circuit board manufacturing, that originated in the 1970s and 1980s.

As electronics manufacturing gained momentum, a more efficient, better process was needed. SMT assembly grew from this need.

WHAT IS THROUGH-HOLE ASSEMBLY?

Through-hole technology (also spelled "thru-hole") refers to the mounting scheme used for electronic components that involve the use of leads on the components that must be inserted into pre-drilled holes in printed circuit boards (PCB) and soldered to pads on the alternate side either by the manual assembly (manually placing components by hand) or by the use of automated insertion mount machines.

The quality of the solder joint is important for a few reasons. The solder joint is the connection between components and the circuit board. The quality of the solder joint is essentially the quality of the connection. The "look" of the solder joint is less important but is indicative of the quality of the solder joint.