Nov. 27, 2024
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are organisations that manufacture or sell products to another company. This company then uses these components in part of a wider process to create products for their customers under their own branding. A big part of creating products to sell on to other companies centres around the SMT process.
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Surface mount technology (SMT) is the process wherein components are mounted onto the surface of a printed circuit board. The components are designed specifically to be directly mounted, rather than hardwired, onto the circuit board for the vast majority of electronics.
Surface mount technology has been widely used since the s. This is because the SMT process is automated, meaning it saves time and costs for both the manufacturer and the customer. Previous methods used hand wiring through holes between the boards to bring components together, meaning this needed manual labour to do so and of course, risked human error. The SMT process is also more adaptable for technological advances in the future than the through hole wire method.
Other advantages of surface mount technology include higher component density and smaller components for mounting alongside better performance under pressure. Using surface mount technology also means that either side of the board can have components mounted on it.
There are three main steps to the process when it comes to surface mount technology which cover solder paste printing, component placing and reflow soldering.
The solder paste printing process is carried out by a machine to ensure accuracy and speed.
During this part of the assembly, a printer applies solder paste using a pre-made stencil of the PCB and squeegees. This solder paste is usually a mixture of flux and tin and it's used to connect the SMC and solder pads on the PCB.
During this part of the process, it's vital that each pad is covered in the correct amount of paste. If not, a connection will not be established when the solder is melted in the reflow oven (more on that later).
Controlling the quality of the solder paste printing process is vital. This is because, if any printing defects are left undetected at this stage, they will lead to other defects further down the line. For this reason, the design of the stencil is key and care must be taken by the assembly team to ensure that the process is repeatable and stable. Thankfully, to smooth the process, most solder paste printers have the option of including an automatic inspection.
However, sometimes external machines are used to assess the quality of the printing. These solder printer inspection machines use 3D technology and allow for a more thorough inspection. This is because they check for things like solder paste volume per pad, rather than just the print area.
Once the PCB has passed inspection, it moves to the component placement phase of the SMT assembly process.
During this phase, each component that will be mounted on the PCB is removed from its packaging using a vacuum or a gripper nozzle. Following this, a machine places it in its programmed location. Not only are the machines that carry out this process highly accurate, but they're also incredibly quick. Some of the most advanced machines can place 80,000 individual components every hour.
When all the individual components have been placed on the PCB, they must be inspected to ensure that they've been placed correctly. This is an incredibly important step in the process, because if any placement errors go undetected and the parts are soldered into that position, then this can lead to high volumes of rework, which can be both costly and time-consuming.
Once the placed components have passed their inspection, the process moves to the reflow soldering phase. During this part of the SMT process, the PCB is placed into a reflow soldering machine (some people refer to them as reflow ovens).
Here, all the electrical solder connections are formed between the components and the PCB. Using heat, the solder paste applied earlier is converted into a solder. Again, accuracy is vital during this stage of the process because if the PCB is heated to a temperature that's too high, the parts or assembly could become damaged and the PCB won't function as intended. If the temperature is too low, a connection may not be established.
To ensure the best results, all PCBs within the soldering machine are placed on a conveyor belt. They're then heated gradually in a series of zones before being passed through a cooling zone.
To avoid joint defects, the PCBs must stay in each zone for the correct period of time. The PCBs must then also be entirely cooled before they're handled or moved. If not, they may warp.
After the PCBs have been through the reflow solder machine, they are inspected one final time. This inspection is usually carried out by a 3D automated optical inspection machine (AOI). This is to ensure that the solder joint quality is as expected and that no mistakes have been made during the SMT process. Machines are used for this process because they're much quicker than humans, and more accurate in their analysis.
ABL Circuits offers a tailored and personal service for all OEMs. We are a one-stop shop for all your PCB manufacturing needs, and can take the entire process from start to end off your hands, or alternatively, assist with an individual aspect along the way.
We are a family run business which began modestly at our founder, Mark Leverett's home. 36 years on, William Leverett is now director and is helping to run the company with his father. Family is at the heart of everything we do, which means you get a personal and passionate service.
With over 36 years of experience under our belt, ABL Circuits has a wealth of knowledge across our employees, alongside the newest state of the art technology. As one of the only manufacturers that offer the full start-to-end process, in-house, for PCB assembly, we can help to guide you through every step.
We work with a range of SMEs and bigger companies and know that it is not 'one size fits all' when it comes to budget and delivery. We work closely with each of our customers to understand what they are looking for and how we can provide this in the most cost efficient way, without compromising on quality.
If you'd like to find out more about how we work and how we can help you, get in touch for a free quote.
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing is a method for constructing electronic circuits in which components are mounted or placed directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs). [1]In this article, we'll take a look at the process, its benefits, factors that influence the SMT market ' and, of course, how skills management can help improve SMT manufacturing processes.
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SMT manufacturing has largely replaced through-hole technology, in which components are inserted into holes drilled in the PCB. It's also become a fundamental part of the semiconductor industry's assembly and production processes. According to market analysis, the SMT market is predicted to grow from USD $5.7 billion in to $8.24 billion by . [2]
Here's a bit of insight as to why:
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The predicted dramatic growth of the SMT market in the near future is due to myriad factors, but several of them play more prominent roles. They include the following.
Because SMT manufacturing can be used in automated production processes, the integration of advanced automation and robotics technologies in SMT assembly lines enables higher precision, faster production rates, and improved quality control, leading to enhanced overall manufacturing efficiency.
The increasing demand ' on both a consumer and commercial level ' for smaller and more powerful electronic devices requires increasingly precise and intricate components and manufacturing processes, such as those used in SMT manufacturing.
Research from the European Free Trade Association showed a 57.4% jump in new electric vehicle registrations in the first quarter of . [3] As the motors of electric cars heavily rely on PCBs, the demand for SMT is expected to continue to rise.
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Despite a highly positive outlook for the SMT market, the industry nevertheless faces challenges that hold the potential to delay or stall production.
The right skills management software, however, can play a critical role in helping organizations navigate them, providing a clear overview of the skills necessary to ensure smooth SMT manufacturing processes ' thus ensuring that skills gaps are easily identified and closed before they become an issue.
Let's take a look at a few of the most prominent challenges facing the SMT industry, as well as how proper skills management might help an organization through them.
Disruptions in the global supply chain, including shortages of raw materials, electronic components, and semiconductor chips, have significantly impacted SMT manufacturing, leading to production delays and increased costs.
Here, skills management could help an organization track and maintain certifications critical to managing the supply chain. They include ' but are not limited to ' the following.
[4]
, a CSCP certification validates professionals' expertise in supply chain management, including areas such as supplier and customer relations, international trade, and logistics. AG5 offers a free certification guide for CSCP certifications.[5]
CPSM certification demonstrates proficiency in strategic sourcing, negotiation, supplier relationship management, and supply chain planning.[6]
, the SCPro certification program assesses professionals' end-to-end supply chain knowledge, including areas such as supply chain concepts, analysis, and design.[7]
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Smt Process Knowledge. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
, the CWLP demonstrates proficiency in warehouse management, distribution operations, and inventory control, essential for effective supply chain management.
As environmental concerns continue to gain prominence, the SMT market is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices and comply with stringent environmental regulations. This includes reducing the use of hazardous materials, minimizing electronic waste generation, and implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
Here, you can use skills management software to track the statuses of a wide range of qualifications and certifications related to environmental compliance. These might include the following.
[8]
globally recognized certification demonstrates a company's commitment to implementing and maintaining an effective environmental management system, including practices for reducing environmental impact and complying with relevant regulations. AG5 offers a free certification guide for ISO certifications.[9]
, A CEM certification validates professionals' expertise in managing energy efficiency programs, implementing sustainable energy solutions, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.[10]
, this certification demonstrates proficiency in managing hazardous materials, including their safe handling, storage, transportation, and disposal, essential for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.[11]
general industry certification demonstrates knowledge of workplace safety and health regulations, which are essential for ensuring a safe and compliant work environment in the context of environmental regulations.
The SMT industry requires skilled technicians and engineers with expertise in operating advanced manufacturing equipment and handling complex assembly processes. Addressing the shortage of skilled labor in the manufacturing industry and investing in workforce development and training programs are essential for sustaining growth and innovation within the industry.
Skills management software plays an especially key role here, helping you monitor certification statues, training needs, and other important skills related to SMT manufacturing. Certifications that prove especially valuable here include the following.
[12]
is a global trade association for the production and assembly requirements of electronics. The IPC-A-610 certification focuses on the acceptability criteria for electronic assemblies, covering topics such as component installation, soldering criteria, and surface mounting criteria. It is highly valued in the electronics manufacturing industry.[13]
J-STD-020 certification focuses on the requirements for moisture and reflow sensitivity classification in surface mount devices (SMDs). An SMD refers to an individual component that is mounted during an SMT manufacturing process. A J-STD-020 certification is particularly important for ensuring the reliability of SMDs during the manufacturing and assembly processes.
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Are you ready to get started streamlining your SMT manufacturing processes and ensuring compliance and safety along the way? Book a free, live, 15-minute demo with AG5 today for a front-row seat!
Additionally, we also provide free certification guides ' such as those linked in the above section ' and Excel skills matrix templates, such as these for the semiconductor industry and manufacturing industry. You can use them to effectively manage and assess the skills and certification statuses of individual employees or teams before fully onboarding to AG5.
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Table
APA
SMT Manufacturing: Everything You Need to Know. Wevolver. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:07:40, from https://www.wevolver.com/article/smt-manufacturing-everything-you-need-to-know
Surface Mount Technology Market ' Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (-). Research and Markets. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:08:38, from https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports//surface-mount-technology-market-growth?utm_source=BW&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_code=w7v7sq&utm_campaign=+-+Insights+on+the+Surface+Mount+Technology+Global+Market+to++-+Featuring+Yamaha+Motor%2c+Panasonic+and+Nordson+Among+Others&utm_exec=jamu273prd
European Free Trade Association. European Free Trade Association. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:10:14, from https://www.efta.int/
Association for Supply Chain Management. APICS. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:11:42, from https://www.ascm.org/learning-development/certifications-credentials/cscp/
Institute for Supply Management. ISM. Retrieved 19 Apr 13:36:03, from https://www.ismworld.org/
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. CSCMP. Retrieved 19 Apr 13:36:03, from https://www.ascm.org/learning-development/certifications-credentials/cscp/
International Warehouse Logistics Association. IWLA. Retrieved 19 Apr 13:46:03, from https://www.ascm.org/learning-development/certifications-credentials/cscp/
International Organization for Standardization. ISO. Retrieved 19 Apr 13:46:03, from https://www.iso.org/home.html
Association of Energy Engineers. AEE. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:43:03, from https://www.aeecenter.org/
Institute of Hazardous Materials Management. IHMM. Retrieved 17 Apr 15:23:02, from https://www.ihmm.org/
OSHA. OSHA. Retrieved 19 Apr 13:36:03, from https://www.osha.gov/
IPC. IPC. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:46:23, from https://www.ipc.org/
JEDEC Solid State Technology Association. JEDEC. Retrieved 19 Apr 14:21:02, from https://www.jedec.org/
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Rick van Echtelt is the Co-Founder and CEO of AG5, where he leverages over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and developing skills management software.
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Original version | November 2,
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