Equipment Used in PCB Contract Manufacturing

PCB contract manufacturing involves taking on the responsibility for designing, fabricating and assembling printed circuit boards (PCBs). The contract manufacturer is often able to offer a wider range of services than the customer would be able to perform in-house due to the fact that the contract manufacturer has extensive industrial experience, a large facility, and advanced equipment. This enables the pcb contract manufacturing to deliver high-quality, reliable products at a fraction of the cost that an in-house production team could achieve.

An FVT fixture is a piece of PCB equipment that is used in the process of PCB assembly to verify that the board will function correctly when it is in its intended use. The device is used to simulate the environment in which the product will be operated and then tests the board to ensure it can withstand the expected conditions. This helps to prevent the need for expensive rework and repair when the product is released into the market.

The SPI machine is a piece of specialized PCB equipment used in the process of electronic assembly to inspect the quantity and quality of solder paste deposits on printed circuit boards before they are placed with surface mount technology components. The machine uses a camera and advanced software to capture images of the solder paste deposits on the board, which is then compared against a standard image of what the deposit should look like. If the deposits are not up to standards, they are removed from the board with a solvent.

Types of Equipment Used in PCB Contract Manufacturing

The pick and place machine is a piece of specialized PCB manufacturing equipment that is used to quickly and accurately mount surface-mount components on printed circuit boards. These machines are used to pick up small, individual components from a feeder system and then move them into pre-determined positions on the board, where they are suctioned down using an automated procedure that is guided by advanced computer systems.

This reduces the need for manual labor and improves the speed and reliability of PCB assembly. It also allows for more features to be included on the board without requiring the use of through-hole wire leads. This makes it easier to manufacture complex electronics such as mobile phones and laptops that require a high level of functionality.

These machines are essential for accurately placing electronic components onto the PCB. They use robotic arms to pick components from reels or trays and place them onto designated areas on the board with high precision and speed. Solder paste printers apply solder paste onto the PCB, which is necessary for attaching surface-mount components during the soldering process. These machines ensure consistent application of solder paste, which is crucial for reliable solder joints.

After solder paste application, the PCB passes through a reflow oven where the solder paste is melted, creating permanent connections between the components and the board. Reflow ovens use precise temperature profiles to ensure proper soldering without damaging the components. Stencil printers are used to precisely deposit solder paste onto the PCB through a stencil. The stencil contains openings corresponding to the pads on the PCB where solder paste needs to be applied. High-quality stencil printing is essential for achieving uniform solder paste deposition.