Because of global uncertainty today, some companies are researching bringing back all or some of their production back to the States. If your company is looking at installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or interested in modifying one, it can be a daunting task; dealing with multiple vendors supplying very complex (and expensive) machines or tools, each with different shipping lead times and logistics, set up procedures, and software compatibility issues. It can be a project management nightmare, especially when you’re also running your business.

• Collaborating with our pick and place partners, Restronics Southeast can help coordinate and manage this daunting task. Working with our SMT pick and place partner experts, we can:
• Source all the machines you need for the line (even if we do not have a direct relationship with them).
• Manage the delivery logistics, making sure everything arrives on time and together.
• Manage the installation and line bring up.
• Manage the software 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 produce electronic circuits by placing components right on the board’s surface. SMT assembly is an alternate method to the through-hole method of PCB manufacturing, which was developed 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") describes the mounting scheme used for electronic components that use leads on the components that must be inserted into holes drilled in printed circuit boards (PCB). These leads are then soldered to pads on the other 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 numerous reasons. The solder joint is the actual connection between components and the board. The quality of the solder joint is essentially the quality of the connection. The "look" of the solder joint is less important but can be indicative of the quality of the solder joint.