With all the global uncertainty today, some companies are investigating bringing back all or some of their production back home. If you’re looking at installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or looking to modify one, it can be overwhelming; working with multiple vendors that supply exceedingly complex (and expensive) machines or tools, each with different lead times, shipping logistics, set up procedures and software compatibility issues. It can be a project management nightmare, especially if you are also running a business.

• Teaming up with our pick and place partners, Restronics Arizona can help coordinate and manage this herculean task. Partnering with our SMT pick and place partner experts, we can:
• Source all the machines needed for your line (even if we do not have a direct relationship with them).
• Manage the delivery logistics, ensuring 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.
• Make sure your people are trained.

WHAT IS SMT ASSEMBLY?

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

As electronics manufacturing continued to gain momentum, a more efficient, effective process was needed. SMT assembly grew out of 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 are inserted into holes drilled in printed circuit boards (PCB). These leads are then soldered to pads on the opposite side either by the manual assembly (manually placing components by hand) or via the use of automated insertion mount machines.

Solder joint quality is important for several reasons. The solder joint is the physical connection between the component and the board. The quality of the solder joint is equivalent to the quality of the connection. The "look" of the solder joint is less important but is usually indicative of the quality of the solder joint.