Electronic manufacturing services should be established and reliable

Electronic manufacturing services or EMS is a term used for companies that provide clients with a comprehensive scope of services, including the designing, manufacturing and testing of electric components. The first EMS company outsourced services to original equipment manufacturers. The Solectron Corporation was founded in 1977. The founders quickly discovered a tremendous demand for printed circuit board assembly or PCBA, so they formed a company integrating design, production and after-sales service.

In the past ten years, the electronic industry has immensely advanced, as the result of increased demand for smart devices, expansion of e-commerce, growth of wearable technology and renewable energy sources. EMS services are part of different industries, including gambling, automotive, aviation, aerospace, medical, signalisation and communications industries.

MS companies offer their clients printed circuit board assembly, such as PCB wave soldering, electronics engineering support and new product introduction. They also ensure supply chain management procurement and testing.

What to look for in an electronic manufacturing services company?

PCB wave soldering and other printed circuit board assembly processes are very complex, so it is crucial to choose the right EMS company. As in other aspects of the business - research is the key. Companies offering EMS come in different shapes and sizes, so before partnering with one, make sure you have a clear understanding of their production. Including limitations, capabilities, how they manage procurement and supply, what additional services they offer, the minimum volume and their certifications.

Choosing the right company can be challenging and overwhelming, so it is best to start with the basics - experience. The more experience a company has with manufacturing electronics, the better. Established EMS providers are knowledgeable about the industry, products and quality. The quality is only as good as the design, so make sure the company you choose, is proficient in design and technologically advanced.

Partnering with a company that uses the latest hand soldering machine will give you a competitive edge. Don't be afraid to ask them about the equipment they use. If your goal is high-volume manufacturing, you will need a partner who invested in surface mount technology (SMT). For such production to run smoothly, your EMS partner will need a supply chain management system. It should also exercise both quality control and quality assurance. When choosing electronic manufacturing services, it is also vital to be clear about what needs to be produced.

What is PCB wave soldering, and when it is used?

PCB wave soldering is a method used for large-scale printed circuit board assembly. It ensures the effective connection of boards that use leaded components, SMDs or both. Apart from being much faster than manual soldering using a hand soldering machine, wave provides electrically and mechanically reliable joints.

The wave machine consists of a heated tank of solder maintained at the required temperature. During the process, the PCB is handed over a pan of molten solder in which a pump produces waves. As the board makes contact with the wave, the components become joined to the board. It is crucial to adjust the height of the wave accordingly, as it can cause metals to enter parts where they are not required.

Using a hand soldering machine might be the easiest method in electronic engineering, but electronic manufacturing services use wave securing for surface mount and through-hole printed circuit assemblies. When using a surface mount, the components are glued to the surface by placement equipment before they pass over the molten solder wave.

MORE ABOUT PCB WAVE SOLDERING METHOD

A hand soldering machine is crucial for detailed soldering

A hand soldering machine is a piece of equipment used to join components to PCB. In the process, a solder is melted using heat from the iron connected to a temperature controller. While the temperature rises beyond its melting point, the metal alloy becomes a filler material joining two components. The method supports the continuation of electrical conductivity and builds a smooth connection between two different pieces of metal.

Metals used in the past were lead-based. Today they are made of copper, brass, bismuth, silver, antimony, tin or indium. There are different types of attracting components to PCB, which use increasingly higher temperatures to ensure progressively stronger joints. Soft soldering uses temperatures between 90 °C to 450 °C. This technique ensures that the components are not thermally stressed, but the joints are not as strong.

Hard soldering uses temperatures over 450 °C and silver as the bonding material. To achieve such high temperatures, the blowtorch is used. Brazing also happens at temperatures over 450 °C. Instead of being melted, the metal is heated. Once the materials reach sufficient temperature, the metal is placed between them, where it melts and acts as a bonding agent. The manual process differs from PCB wave soldering.

While manual techniques join specific points of PCB, the automated process involves a wave, which links all the necessary connections in one step. Manual process, is labour intense but practical in places with difficult access. Most electronic manufacturing services today opt for automated processes.