Considering the global uncertainty today, some companies are researching repatriating some or all of their production. If your company is interested in installing a new SMT or Through-Hole assembly line, or you want to modify one, it can be daunting; managing multiple vendors that provide 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 managers nightmare, especially when you are trying to run a business.

• Teaming up with our pick and place partners, Restronics Southwest will help coordinate and manage this overwhelming task. Partnering with our SMT pick and place partner experts, we can:
• Source all the machines that are needed for your line (even if we do not have a direct relationship with the manufacturer).
• Manage the delivery logistics, making 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 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, which that originated in the 1970s and 1980s.

As electronics manufacturing continued to gain momentum, a more efficient, effective process was necessary. SMT assembly was born 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 existing holes in printed circuit boards (PCB) and soldered to pads on the other side by either manual assembly (placement 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 connection between the component and the board. The quality of the solder joint is equivalent to the quality of the connection itself. The appearance of the solder joint is less important but is usually indicative of the quality of the solder joint.