Printed Circuit Board Assembly
Overview
Printed Circuit Board Assembly is a process that requires knowledge not just of Printed Circuit Board components and assembly but also of printed circuit board design, Printed Circuit Board fabrication and a strong understanding of the final product. Circuit board assembly is just one piece of the puzzle to delivering the perfect product the first time.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are across many industrial and consumer electronics, used in products ranging from remote controls to military weaponry. The versatility of PCBs comes from their lightweight, compact, and flexible construction, which can be adapted to suit circuits of any complexity. Though PCBs are relatively commonplace, their complexity makes it critical to source new circuit boards from reliable suppliers. Printed Circuit Board Assembly services harness these complexities.
Cyper Electronics offers comprehensive Printed Circuit Board Assembly services that help our customers fully realize their designs. We have extensive experience working with customers in a broad range of highly innovative industries, including Communication, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Industrial control, Medical equipments, Oil & Gas, Security, and so on.
Printed Circuit Board Assembly Process
The PCB assembly process can look very different depending on the type of PCB and the order volume. Our PCB assembly process include any of the following steps, depending on the client’s needs:
1. Automated Assembly
Automated PCB assembly is ideal for components that are difficult to solder by hand and high-volume production runs. It is the fastest and most efficient means of producing consistent circuit boards.
2. Reflow
Reflow soldering is the most common method used for efficiently soldering SMT-mounted components. The process uses a reflow oven to melt solder onto a pre-heated and pre-soaked PCB.
3. Wave Solder
Wave soldering is another efficient method that involves applying flux to an entire PCB surface, heating the board, and then applying molten solder to the whole heated board.
4. Selective Solder
Selective solder is a more precise variation of wave soldering used to apply flux locally rather than the entire PCB. Instead of using a “wave” of molten solder, it uses nozzles to apply solder exactly where needed.
5. Hand Insertion and Soldering
Hand insertion and soldering may be used when project constraints require manual through-mounting.
6. Point-to-Point Wiring
Point-to-point wiring is a labor-intensive manual assembly method that involves hand-mounting and soldering all components on a circuit board. This process is used as an alternative to PCBs in specific applications, including repairs to vintage electronics.
7. Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
This automated inspection process uses cameras to scan the PCB for defects and quality issues.
8. Solder Paste Inspection (SPI)
The SPI process closely inspects solder paste deposition before part placement.
These additional services represent one of our most significant advantages over our competitors. Many companies cannot provide the X-Ray capabilities or ionograph testing necessary for industries requiring immaculate boards. For example, our medical clients leverage our ability to measure contamination down to ppm on a single square centimeter.
9. Ball Grid Arrays (BGA)
Ball Grid Arrays are used on highly complex PCBs to mount microprocessors and other integrated circuit components. BGAs provide more interconnection pins to facilitate faster and more reliable component connections. While BGAs and micro-BGAs provide superior performance, they are also exceedingly difficult to solder. Incorporating BGAs and micro-BGAs into your PCB assembly requires partnering with an expert Electronics Manufacturing Services provider like Cyper Electronics.