SMT the Most Preferred PCB Assembly Method
Surface Mount Technology is an area of electronic assembly used to mount electronic components to the surface of the printed circuit board (PCB) as opposed to inserting components through holes as with conventional assembly. SMT reduces manufacturing costs and also to make more efficient use of PCB space enabling more complex electronic circuits to be […]
What is Measling in PCBs?
Measling occurs when discrete white spots appear in the base epoxy-glass laminate of a PCB (printed circuit board), usually when the resin is not properly applied to the board during the lamination process due to the presence of moisture or other contaminants. Measling signifies a malfunctioning or poor-quality board that can degrade electrical and physical performance. […]
PCBA Solder Paste Printing Defects
Summarized below are some typical solder paste printing defects along with recommended corrections or preventative actions to improve your (PCBA) Printed Circuit Board Assembly manufacturing process and overall product quality. At Optima Technology Associates, Inc. we have over 25 years of experience manufacturing PCBs, PCBAs and providing engineering services to help you meet your quality standards and […]
Component Placement Defects
Summarized below are some typical parts placement defects along with recommended corrections or preventative actions to improve your PCBA process and product quality. At Optima Technology Associates, Inc. we have over 25 years of experience manufacturing PCBs, PCBAs and providing engineering services to help you meet your quality standards and expectations. Contact us today to learn more […]
Reflow Solder Defects
Summarized below are some typical reflow / solder defects along with recommended corrections or preventative actions to improve your PCBA process and product quality. At Optima Technology Associates, Inc. we have over 25 years of experience manufacturing PCBs, PCBAs and providing engineering services to help you meet your quality standards and expectations. Contact us today to learn […]
PCB Panel Design Consideration
What are some of the most important factors you should consider when designing a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to ensure efficient manufacturing? Consideration should be given to how the bare PCB will be supplied to the PCB / PCBA manufacturer for production. For volume manufacturing, the tools used throughout the process need “tooling strips” on at least two […]
Effective Solder Stencil Design
A critical aspect of any PCBA surface mount assembly process is the proper application of solder paste to the printed circuit board (PCB) in order to make sure component terminals are applied correctly to the PCB pad to ensure proper and well-maintained electrical connections. Generally this process is achieved through the use of a solder stencil which […]
Through-Hole Assembly, Selective Soldering
With the increasing complexity of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assemblies, it has become more common for surface mount components to be designed on both sides of the PCB. This provides challenges when automating the soldering of the through-hole components. Typically components that need to be soldered are done so using ‘Wave Soldering’ (the preferred method), however this […]
PCB & PCBA Glossary
Below is a helpful reference sheet of key terms and definitions of the PCB or PCBA manufacturing process. At Optima Technology Associates, Inc. we have over 25 years of experience manufacturing PCBs, PCBAs and providing engineering services to help you meet your quality standards and expectations. Contact us today to learn more about working together […]
9 Tips for Choosing the Right PCB Manufacturer for Your Business
Key points to consider when evaluating PCB manufacturers for your projects, include Quality Capability Cost Time Scale Manufacturer vs Broker Cooperation Material Sourcing Testing Quantities Choosing the right PCB manufacturer for your project and business will help you reach your goals, but choosing a wrong one likely will lead to much regret. Pointers to help determine your […]
