PCB Assembly Manufacturing Process

Step 1: Traceability

In the beginning of the assembly process, every PCB receives a unique 2D barcode. This barcode is scanned through the whole process and permits us to traceback:
Supplier information and delivery document of every single component, which process step was carried out when and by whom, link to BOM revision and bare PCB specification…

Step 2: Solder Paste Stencilling

The MPM Momentum Elite Dual Lane Stencil Printer adds solder paste to the bare PCB.

Step 3: Pick & Place

The SMD components are placed accurately with the Samsung Pick&Place machine.

Step 4: Inspection

Correct placement and orientation of the surface mount components is checked before conveying the assemblies to soldering.

Step 5: Reflow Soldering

The PCB’s are placed in Essemtec RO300FC Forced Convection Reflow with their components. The oven consists of different zones and makes sure the solder paste hardens. Preferably we use low melting point solder paste (liquidus at 150°C) which eliminates any risk of damaging components by high soldering temperatures.

Step 6: Inspection

After soldering the surface mount components the assemblies are inspected again in order to detect any possible defect in solder joints.
If requested by the customer, as a supplemental option, this inspection can be done by machine:
The Omron VT-RNS AOI inspects the prints. The machine checks if the components are placed correctly and if the solder connection is applied correctly.

Step 7: Through Hole Component Insertion

THT components are placed on the PCB by hand observing correct orientation. The soldering is done either by the Auto Soldering SEHO Go Wave 1030 machine or it is done by hand depending on the required degree of selective soldering.

Step 8: Technical edge cutting

For the assembly with our automated machines, the PCBs are equipped with technical edges. Those edges are cut off after the assembly process. If the PCB board is a panel and contains several single circuits, panel separation is done at this step. In order to be able to cut off the edges in a clean way, pre-cut break-out tabs or V-cut is needed (to be defined during bare PCB order).

Step 9: Inspection

After soldering the THT components and cutting off the technical edges the assemblies are inspected again to verify: Correct placement and orientation of all components as well as quality of solder connections and clean cutting.

Step 10: Packaging

The assemblies are packed in ESD safe packaging. Every single assembly is packed in an ESD shielding bag. If the PCB dimensions exceed standard then we pack the assemblies into an anti-static foam.

Step 11: Final Quality Control (QC)

Before closing the package for shipment, as a final step, a sample of the PCB assembly prototypes is checked optically again. This way we can guarantee the PCBA prototypes are perfectly manufactured.