PCBA Best Practices

Electronic technologies continue to advance while the demand for more functionality increases. Similarly, designs for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and components keep getting smaller and more complex. Because of these changes, PCB assembly (PCBA) has become an even more crucial step in electronics manufacturing. Even a small assembly error could lead to poor performance or failure of an electronic device in the field. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must work hard to ensure their assemblies are of the highest quality.

As the manufacturing of PCBs becomes more complex, more OEMs are turning to outsourcing their assembly needs. Given the criticality of PCBA, they must find a reliable contract manufacturer for these services.

RiverSide Integrated Solutions (RIS) is a knowledgeable contract manufacturer with years of experience specializing in PCBA. RIS has the requisite experience and proven know-how to guide OEMs through the PCBA process. We can select the right assembly technologies to ensure success in the field.

Below are some of our PCBA best practices to ensure your PCBA goes smoothly.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION UPFRONT

The best way to avoid PCBA issues is to collaborate with your partner upfront – before the detailed design begins. OEMs must communicate the functionality requirements and application of the PCB. Clear communication allows OEMs to tap into the experience and expertise of their partner. This often results in a better design, as well as a better production and assembly plan.

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURABILITY AND ASSEMBLY

RIS invests is all the latest technology to help streamline and speed up our PCBA processes without sacrificing quality.

The easier to manufacture a product is, the more efficiently the manufacturing operations can run. Companies use design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA) assessment to identify production and assembly issues early on. The result is more cost-effective production, better quality and quicker speed to market.

Click here for additional tips on implementing DFMA in your PCB designs. Designing PCBs with assembly in mind is crucial yet is often overlooked – leading to significant challenges.

Below are 3 broad concepts best applied during the DFMA process:

MINIMIZE COMPLEXITY

The team should evaluate each feature and functional requirement of the PCB for complexity. The goal is to minimize complexity without sacrificing requisite functionality.

STANDARDIZE

The PCB should be designed with common components and sizes compatible with standard assembly processes when possible. This simplifies the procurement of parts and PCB assembly, and saves OEMs time and money.

Additionally, specialized components often have longer lead times. Because of this, teams must ensure procurement of the desired parts without sacrificing the project schedule

QUALITY

Finally, it’s important to remember that quality is not uniform across all PCB components and parts. Similarly, not all manufacturing partners assemble PCBs to the same degree of quality.

That’s why, it’s crucial to partner with a proven PCB assembler, like RIS. We have established quality control programs and a network of reliable suppliers. Let our years of hard work be your advantage!

RIS PCBA EXPERTISE

At RIS, PCB assembly is one of our core competencies. We provide reliable, seamlessly-assembled printed circuit board systems built with extreme precision.

Our skilled engineers, technicians and assemblers work to expertly put together a complete PCBA. When you choose RIS, you can expect the hands-on customer care of a small operation with the capabilities characteristic of a larger company. We provide our complete electronics manufacturing services for OEMs in any industry.

Our electronics assembly expertise includes:

Surface Mount Technology (Fine-pitch, BGA (1 mm), µBGA (.4 mm), 01005, X-Ray, automated rework, and automated optical inspection (AOI)
Magazine to Magazine handling
Smart Shelving floor stock inventory control
X-ray reel counting
Lead-through auto-insertion (Axial, Radial, DIP, and Zierick Terminals)
Wave Solder and Selective Solder Machines (No-clean & aqueous flux processes) RoHS and Tin/Lead capabilities
Special Application Equipment (Cobot dispensing systems)
Conformal coating (Silicone, Urethane)
Potting (Epoxy, Urethane, and Silicone)
Low-pressure molding technology
Comprehensive product testing
3D Printing

About RiverSide Integrated Solutions

RIS is an advanced contract manufacturer providing robust solutions in circuit board assembly and product assembly. We employ more than 350 people and provide services to OEMs worldwide. We operate two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities within the US.

With all of the choices in contract manufacturers out there, we know it can be challenging to find someone who understands your business model and has your best intentions in mind. RIS has always proven to be a win-win-focused relationship.

As your one-stop shop, we have the capabilities, capacity, quality assurance standards and resources to support all of your manufacturing needs. We understand that supply chain management is complex and very time-consuming, so we urge our customers to utilize us in the fullest capacity.