Tag Archives: PCB manufacturing

Flexible Circuit board

Flex Turnkey PCB Assembly

The design rules for flex turnkey PCB assembly is very similar to the design rules for traditional PCBs.  Traditional PCBs and flex flex turnkey PCB assembly share some similarities in the manufacturing process as well.  To start, the flexible circuit board material (typically copper clad Polyimide) is chosen, drilled, plated, photo-imaged, and imprinted just like the conservative PCB process. Next, both PCBs and flex turnkey PCB assemblies involve the panels being baked to remove any moisture from the wet processes.  This next step is where the original PCB and flex turnkey PCB assembly start to differ.  Flex turnkey PCB assemblies go to the cover lay station instead of going to the fuse mask station, as would occur with traditional PCBs.

A flex circuit board cover lay, also known as a cover film, is a lamination process used to summarize and protect any peripheral circuitry of the flex circuit. The cover lay serves the similar function as the solder mask does for conventional PCBs with the dissimilarity being the added component of flexibility. Naturally, the thickness of the cover lay is prepared of 1 mil thick Polyimide with a 1 mil thick, attach adhesive, but other thicknesses are accessible to meet precise design necessities. The Polyimide and adhesive cover lay is laminated using force and heat.

Flexible circuitThe heat allows for simple flow of the adhesive which is needed because it must fill-in any and all gaps among the traces and pads to stop the trapping of air between layers. To a flex turnkey PCB assembly designer this means the cover lay openings for a characteristic 1 oz. The copper plan must be out-sized by 10 mils, which is appreciably bigger than the typical huge of 2-3 mils used on conventional PCB solder masks.

ACME PCB Assembly manufactures flexible turnkey PCB assembly.  We can take your flexible circuit application from concept to reality with our complete design capabilities.  Our talented team is equipped to work in multiple data formats. We have in-house surface-mount technology (SMT) capabilities  and specialize in turnkey assembly applications.

ACME PCB Assembly will work with you for all of your flexible circuit board needs. We are committed to not only customer satisfaction, but exceeding our customer’s expectations. Our adherence to quality standards is a part of what makes our boards superior to other suppliers.

We provide a complete suite of PCB Assembly Services, including rework and modification, BGA, SMT, Turnkey, Thru-Hole, Lead Free, and Prototype assembly, plus an extensive line of add-on services, such as Injection Molding and Metal Work & Finishing.

Call us today with any questions 1- 310-715-1898  (Sales Extension 210) (Purchasing Extension 160)

 

Printed Circuit Board Fabrication

Top Benefits of Using High-Quality PCBs in Your Projects

In today’s fast-paced technology landscape, using high-quality PCBs in your projects is essential for success. Printed circuit boards form the backbone of countless devices, from smartphones to industrial machines, and their performance can make or break your innovation. Ensuring that the printed circuit boards you select meet rigorous standards and are produced under stringent quality control measures is key to delivering reliable, durable, and efficient products.

Printed Circuit Board FabricationWhen working on any tech-driven project, it’s crucial to focus on the longevity and performance of your components. High-quality PCBs offer enhanced reliability, reducing the likelihood of malfunction or failure in the field. This is especially important in industries where downtime can result in costly delays or safety hazards. By sourcing printed circuit boards from a trusted provider like Board Assembly, you ensure that each PCB is meticulously inspected and tested, guaranteeing that it can withstand even the most challenging environments.

Another critical advantage of using high-quality PCBs is their ability to handle complex circuitry while maintaining efficiency. Whether your project involves compact devices or large-scale applications, well-designed printed circuit boards allow for optimal layout, minimizing noise and interference while maximizing performance. Quality control throughout the production process ensures that each board is built to precise specifications, eliminating errors and inconsistencies that could otherwise impact functionality.

Beyond functionality, investing in high-quality PCBs also enhances the overall reputation of your product. By delivering a reliable, robust solution to your customers, you establish trust and credibility, setting your business apart from competitors who may cut corners by using inferior components. The importance of partnering with a company like Board Assembly that prioritizes quality control cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, using high-quality PCBs in your projects isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s a strategic move to ensure long-term success and market differentiation. If you’re looking to integrate printed circuit boards that are built to last, perform reliably, and meet the highest standards, visit Board Assembly today to explore how their expertise and commitment to excellence can elevate your next project.

Strengthening SMT Assembly Quality with Omron 3D AOI S1080

We are proud to announce the addition of the Omron 3D AOI S1080 system to our production line, a major investment dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the highest standards of SMT assembly quality. As electronic products continue to evolve toward miniaturization, higher complexity, and greater reliability requirements, the importance of consistent inspection and process control has never been more critical.

The Omron S1080 represents the latest generation of 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) technology. With advanced 3D imaging, precise height measurement, and intelligent defect detection algorithms, it ensures that every solder joint, component placement, and fine-pitch assembly meets strict quality standards. Unlike traditional 2D AOI, the 3D system eliminates false calls caused by shadows or reflections and provides accurate detection of defects such as insufficient solder, lifted leads, bridging, and coplanarity issues.

 

By integrating the S1080 directly into our SMT assembly workflow, we gain real-time feedback that allows us to identify potential process variations before they affect product quality. This supports our continuous improvement initiatives, minimizes rework, and reduces costs for our customers. The inspection data collected also enables comprehensive traceability and analytics, giving us the ability to refine our process parameters and further enhance efficiency.

 

For customers, the addition of Omron’s S1080 means greater confidence in product reliability. Whether the project requires high-mix low-volume builds or high-volume production, this 3D AOI system helps us ensure that each board delivered is manufactured with precision and consistency. Our commitment goes beyond simply meeting industry standards—we aim to exceed them by implementing state-of-the-art tools that safeguard quality at every stage of SMT assembly.

 

With the Omron 3D AOI S1080 in place, we reaffirm our focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. This strategic investment reflects our ongoing mission: to provide manufacturing services that combine world-class technology with rigorous quality assurance, ensuring that every product leaving our facility embodies reliability and excellence.

thru hole YUN INDUSTRIAL

Why Consider Using Through Hole Printed Circuit Boards?

Why Consider Using Through Hole Printed Circuit Boards?

In the printed circuit board business, there are two primary ways to mount components onto the circuit board: through-hole mounting and surface mounting. Through-hole mounting is the older technology and requires the circuit board manufacturer to drill holes through the PCB and place leads into the holes. More recently, surface mounted technology has taken over the field.

Through-Hole Components

Through-hole components come in one of two types of leads, radial and axial. Axial through-hole components run along the axis of symmetry of the component while radial components protrude in parallel from the same surface on a board.

Components of Surface Mount Technology

When you look at any modern PCB design, you will see SMT technology in most instances. Surface mount technology (SMT) is the most commonly used technology today. These types of boards and components have very small or no leads at all as their primary purpose is to be soldered directly on the surface of a PCB during the design process. This method allows for components to be much smaller, allowing for greater density and better overall performance on a smaller circuit board.

With surface mounting offering so many benefits, why even consider through hole flex printed circuit boards?

The reason is that through hole mounting offers stronger mechanical bonds. This makes through hole flex printed circuit boards the better option for devices that are designed to undergo major stresses, like sudden accelerations, collisions, or extreme temperatures. This makes them worth considering for military, automotive, and extreme sports applications.

Yun Industrial Acme PCB Assembly is capable of two types of printed circuit board assembly services. They are full and partial turn-key services. Full turn-key covers all aspects of PCB fabrication and assembly, including manufacture of PCBs, parts procurement, quality inspections, and final PCB assembly.

Is Through-Hole Assembly Still Important to Use?

 

Before the 1960s, the through-hole assembly process for mounting components onto printed circuit boards was the only game in town. It was labor-intensive and required a lot of space, but it was the only option. That all changed with the rise of surface mount technology (SMT), which allows for components to be mounted directly onto a printed circuit board’s surface. Since SMT doesn’t require drilling holes through a PCB, its components are much smaller and can be mounted on each side of the board. The result is a denser, smaller PCB that can perform much better than a PCB using through-hole technology.

When SMT came on the scene, many engineers believed it would harken the death of through-hole PCBs. However, while SMT does reign supreme, through-hole is still with us today. In very specific circumstances, through-hole PCBs are a better choice than their SMT counterparts.

A Few Important Uses for Through-Hole PCBs

Through-hole PCBs may be bigger and clunkier than SMT PCBs, but they do offer up one important advantage. Through-hole components are attached far more securely than SMT, which gives them a much stronger connection between layers. SMT connections are strong enough for the vast majority of products that people use in their day-to-day lives, but for machines that must operate in extreme environments, through-hole is the more reliable and stable option.

For example, through-hole PCBs can be commonly found in machines in the military and aerospace industries. Oftentimes, these machines must survive extreme temperatures, forceful collisions, and rapid accelerations. Through-hole is the ideal reliable and resilient mounting option for these types of products.

Prototypes

The other area where you are most likely to find through-hole mounting is in product prototypes. Through-hole is often preferred in prototyping, because it is much easier to adjust and replace components as the prototype undergoes testing and design alterations. If you are dreaming up an exciting new product, you’ll want to reach out to a printed circuit board vendor that is adept at through-hole mounting. This will give you more flexibility as you put the prototype through its paces.

Find Your SMT and Through-Hole Vendor

No matter what your industry or product line, it is smart to look for a printed circuit board manufacturer with both SMT and through-hole experience. This will allow you more choice and more control over your final product. At ACME PCB Assembly, we offer extensive experience in both SMT assembly and through-hole assembly.

Contact Us Today!