Because of global uncertainty today, a number of companies are investigating bringing back their production back home. If you’re interested in installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or interested in modifying one, it can be daunting; dealing with multiple vendors that supply very complex (and expensive) machines or tools, each one 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 also running your business.

• Collaborating with our pick and place partners, Restronics New England can help coordinate and manage this herculean task. 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 them).
• Manage the delivery logistics, being 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.
• Make sure your people are trained.

WHAT IS SMT ASSEMBLY?

SMT (Surface Mounting Technology) is a technique to produce electronic circuits that places components right on the circuit board’s surface. SMT assembly is an alternative to the through-hole method of printed circuit board manufacturing, that was developed in the 1970s and 1980s.

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

Solder joint quality is important for several reasons. The solder joint is the physical connection between the component and the PCB. The quality of the solder joint is equivalent to the quality of the connection itself. How the solder joint looks is less important but can be indicative of the quality of the solder joint.