What Do Printed Circuit Board Assemblies Do?
Printed circuit boards provide mechanical support for electronic components in many different types of electronics and electronic gadgets. Printed circuit boards link components to each other within the device, thus playing a crucial role in the performance of the device. They also enable input and output connections between the user and the device, by establishing an uninterrupted connection between the two.
As a result of their universal application in all types of electrical components and devices, PCB Assemblies are commonly used in the industrial, manufacturing, telecommunications, medical, and automotive industries. Since circuit boards assemblies can be designed to function reliably in harsh and demanding environments, they are especially useful in the aerospace and military markets as well.
Given that PCB Assemblies play such a critical role in the electronics industry, performance and quality of printed circuit board are of utmost importance. Assembly of the printed circuit board must adhere to the design of the board. Additionally, care must be taken to make sure that the polarity of the components is properly positioned. If this is missed, the board is likely to experience functional and electric failures that lead to failure. Finally, the printed circuit board must pass through several quality checks before it is finalized and delivered for use in a device.
Investment, Technology, Information Systems, and Quality Management Systems
In order to produce the highest quality PCB Assemblies, PCB Assembly Services will have an investment in equipment and technology that supports their quality claims.
Having a large, up-to-date facility is a good place to start – one that includes ESD flooring, humidification systems, and the latest technology in order to reliably manufacture the most complex assemblies. Advanced inspection systems, such as 3-D AOI and X-Ray inspection systems, are also critical to producing quality boards. The latest soldering systems, such as an Ersa selective solder system, along with advanced wash and robotic systems are also things to look for.
They also will have advanced information and quality systems that support producing the final product to exact specifications. The company should have a fully integrated ERP solution with a focus on manufacturing execution, such as the Epicor ERP system (or a system akin to it).
Additionally, they should be using an on-line documentation system including work-cell based terminals to support the production process from start to finish.
They should also have a Quality Management System that includes ISO certification. This will ensure that the material, manufacturing and test process’s come together to produce the highest quality circuit board assemblies.
