PCB assembly or PCBA is a process that involves the combination of electronic components and solder onto a printed circuit board or PCB. PCBA is an important step in the design process, as it makes sure that all parts of your product work together properly.
PCBA companies are responsible for making sure that all components are properly aligned and connected to form a functional product. They inspect each layer of the circuit board to ensure there are no errors or damage caused by previous operations. If there are any problems detected during this process they will contact their clients so they can fix them right away.
What are the steps used in the PCB assembly process?
The following are the steps:
- The first step in the PCBA process is to mark out the circuit board and drill holes for mounting elements or components.
- The next step is to mount the components on the board and connect them together using wires.
- After this, it is time to solder the wires to their respective connections.
- At last, it is time to solder the components onto their respective places on the board.
Popular methods of PCBA are:
1. Surface Mount Technology
Surface mount technology or SMT is a component assembly technique where the smallest possible components are mounted onto a printed circuit board using solder paste and wire bonding. Surface mount technology is an alternative to through-hole technology because it allows for smaller, more parts to be used. The process of SMT involves very small components being soldered onto the circuit board with solder paste and wire bonds. The solder paste is heated and then melted onto the component leads, allowing them to be connected to the pads on the circuit board. SMTs are useful in various electronic applications because they allow for more densely packed circuitry than can be achieved by other methods like leaded chip carrier (LCC).
2. Through Hole Technology
Through hole technology is used in PCBA to create a track for the copper traces and other components. The copper tracks are made by removing material from the board to expose the copper. Then a no. of tiny holes are drilled into this exposed copper and then assembled together using solder paste or other liquid adhesive. Through hole technology is used because it allows for more accurate routing of the copper traces than can be achieved using surface mount devices (SMDs).
Factors to choose the Right PCBA Company:
There are numerous things that you should consider before choosing your PCB assembly company. Here are some pointers that can help you choose the right PCBA company:
1. What is the total experience of the company and whether they have worked on projects similar to yours?
2. What are their quality standards? Whether the company has certifications like ISO 9001?
3. Find out more about the technology and equipment they are going to use for the completion of your project?
4. Does your potential company have strict testing and inspection processes?
5. How much price you are going to pay to the company and whether you are going to get the best from what you pay?
