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Celebrating our longest-serving colleagues and welcoming new team members

Celebrating our longest-serving colleagues and welcoming new team members

For over 30 years, our clients have relied on us for right-first-time assemblies, predictable delivery and a straightforward way of working. Behind that consistency is a team that takes pride in doing things properly, works together to solve problems quickly and helps create the “no drama” experience our clients value.

Our difference is in how we work, through our values of Collaboration, Honesty, Openness, Integrity, Character and Empathy. Whether someone has been with us for 30 years or has only recently joined the team, those values show up in how people support one another, take ownership of quality and keep work moving.

We recently sat down with some of our colleagues to hear what delivering a “no drama” service means to them in practise.

Meet our long-standing team members

Teresa – Supervisor

Teresa joined Camtronics in 1995 and has now celebrated 30 years with the business. She started out learning to solder and, over the years, has built her experience across a variety of roles before moving into her current position as Supervisor.

What was it like when you first joined, and did you imagine you would still be here 30 years later?

There were only about 4 people here, and now there are about 40. No, I never thought I would still be here. I just feel really fortunate. It’s also very local to me, so that’s lucky.

What does “doing a good job” mean to you?

Keep customers happy and deliver on time with the right quality, but people are the main thing.

How do the team at Camtronics work together to deliver quality?

Quality means doing the job properly and being proud of what leaves the building. If we’re happy with it, the customer will be too.

What makes this a good place to work?

People, good communication, work as a team, everyone feels valued and respected.

Bev – Production (Rework)

Bev is also celebrating 30 years at Camtronics and is one of the most experienced members of our production team, and outside of work she enjoys spending time with her dogs: Winter, Star, Ted and Gus.

What has kept you at Camtronics from the early years of your career until now?

The people are good to work with, and the company has always been understanding and helpful.

What has changed the most since you started working here?

The factory has grown, and there is a lot more work now. I have held the same role for the last 28 years, including rework, repairs, and part changes.

What does “doing a good job” mean to you?

Achieving, giving anything a go and succeeding as much as we can. If there is an easier or simpler way of doing something with the same quality outcome, then this is implemented.

How would you describe the people here to someone new?

Friendly and welcoming – I have no bad words to say. We are like family as we have known each other for so long.

Meet our newer members of the team

Alison – Production (Soldering)

Alison recently celebrated her first year at Camtronics, and specialises in soldering. Outside of work, Alison enjoys singing in a choir, baking and attending her local book club.

What surprised you most in your first few weeks?

It’s different to other places I’ve worked in the past. My colleagues have been really nice to work with, and the company looks after people.

What was your first “this is a good place to work” moment?

Straight away. Everyone has been welcoming and patient, especially while I was learning how to use the new equipment. The team are very supportive.

What part of the job do you enjoy most?

All of it. I love soldering; I’ve spent 18 years doing it in my previous role. Since I’ve joined Camtronics, I’ve become a lot more skilled and learnt more about soldering from large boards to small.

What does ‘no drama’ mean from a new starter’s point of view?

It’s effortless because no one’s working against each other. Everyone communicates, helps out and does their part – so the job just flows.

Paula – Production

Paula joined Camtronics in February 2025 and is one of our newer members of the production team. Outside of work, she enjoys walking and spending time with her six grandchildren.

What surprised you most in your first few weeks?

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, with no pressure; I was able to take my time to settle in.

What does your role involve day to day?

Soldering, building and testing. Since I have joined, I have also learnt how to build different products and casings.

How would you describe the team in a few words?

Helpful and friendly, if I need a hand, all I have to do is ask. Everyone is supportive and approachable.

What does “no drama” mean from a new starter’s point of view?

Anything that needs to be done gets done. Everyone is very organised, so we are able to deliver a “no drama” service.

Would you like to know more about how we work?

At Camtronics, making electronics effortless starts with our team – the experienced people behind every assembly. Our experience, care and teamwork help turn complex manufacturing into a process that feels straightforward, dependable and right first time.

Contact us today for more details.

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What is Surface Mounting: The Essential Guide to SMT

What is Surface Mounting: The Essential Guide to SMT

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) has become the dominant process for electronic assemblies for many manufacturers in the EMS industry. But what is it, and why is it the best option? We’re going to take a look at this process.

What is Surface Mount Technology?

SMT electronics manufacturing is the go-to method for PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly. This automated assembly method reduces manufacturing costs and optimises the use of space on the PCB without compromising reliability. Surface mount devices are mounted directly onto both sides of the circuit board with great precision and control.

This method has transformed electronics manufacturing, enabling devices to become smaller, more compact and more reliable over time.

 

A Step-by-Step Guide to the SMT Electronics Manufacturing Process

  1. Apply solder paste to the circuit board using stencils – The stencil is designed during the New Product Introduction process and printing is the single most important part of the SMT assembly process.  Getting this part right helps avoid defects later on.  Solder paste is applied accurately and repeatably through the stencil apertures onto each pad before the component placement stage.
  2. Mount the components – Surface mount devices are then placed onto the solder pasted PCB. High-speed pick-and-place machines pick, orient and position each component exactly in the right location. Our machines can each place up to 30,000 components per hour, dramatically reducing production time compared to older machines, and certainly faster than auto-insert or manual insertion of through-hole devices.
  3. Reflow soldering – Once all the components are placed, the assembled boards are passed through a reflow soldering oven. Controlled heat profiles activate the flux in the solder paste before melting the solder balls themselves to form secure joints between the components and the PCB.
  4. Quality assurance – Every board undergoes Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) to verify that the assembly matches the specification. The AOI system checks for position, orientation and solderability and identifies issues such as solder bridges, missing components, misalignment and insufficient solder, ensuring the final product meets the required IPC610 acceptability standard.

The Benefits of Surface Mount Technology

  • Higher component density.

SMT makes it possible to fit far more components onto any given size of circuit board. This is essential for modern electronics, where compact design and high performance are expected. In contrast, through-hole components are physically larger and must pass through drilled holes much larger than the via holes used in SMT designs, consuming significantly more circuit real estate.

  •  Reduced waste and faster production times.

Automation is at the heart of SMT PCB assembly. High-speed pick and place systems and automated paste printing significantly reduce manual labour, errors and material waste. Once the process is programmed, production can scale quickly and reliably, offering a highly cost-effective approach for both medium to large-volume builds.

  • Consistently high-quality, right-first-time builds. 

Accurate printing, combined with the precision of pick-and-place machines and Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) give SMT assemblies a consistently high First Pass Yield.

 

Why Choose Camtronics for SMT?

At Camtronics, we have over 25 years of experience in SMT PCB assembly. Here’s how we support projects for customers who value predictable delivery, open communication and right-first-time builds.

Capability for Complex Components

We are equipped to handle complex, high-reliability SMT assemblies. Our team regularly works with fine-pitch SMT, Ball Grid Arrays (BGAs), Land Grid Arrays (LGAs), and Quad Flat No-Lead (QFNs) and micro-components, mounted on multi-layer and high-density boards.

Materials and Supply Chain Management

We can work seamlessly with your preferred or mandated suppliers when required, and we’ll manage the full materials process to suit your requirements. If alternatives are needed, for example, due to obsolescence, long lead times or supply constraints, we maintain an Approved Vendor List to help identify suitable, compliant options. This helps ensure continuity of supply without compromising on quality or traceability.

For full assurance, every assembly can be supported with lot-to-kit traceability and documentation for the components that are used within the SMT PCB assembly.

Transparent Communication and Fast ECN Turnaround

We deliver on our commitment to clarity and predictability by keeping communication transparent across every stage of the build. Customers have direct access to the right people, no layers, no friction, and always receive clear updates on status, risks and next steps.

Our engineering team supports fast ECN and design-change turnaround, helping to significantly reduce the impact on your schedule. While no supplier can eliminate every risk, our proactive communication and structured change-control process ensure any adjustments are managed smoothly and with minimal disruption. This is part of how we deliver no-drama electronics manufacturing that fits seamlessly into your workflow.

Read more about our SMT service, or get in touch to discuss your next project.

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Avoiding Delays in Electronic Production Schedules

Avoiding Delays in Electronic Production Schedules

Completing a PCB assembly project is a complex process with many moving parts. While challenges can arise, most issues are preventable or manageable with the right planning and collaboration. Being aware of common risks will help your project team to keep schedules realistic and ensure production runs smoothly.

Here are the most common issues to identify and address before you commit to an electronic manufacturing service.

Avoid design errors with pre-production checks

Design errors in the PCB design may not be apparent early on. Issues with component footprints, thermal design, or layout (including silkscreen) may only become visible during assembly or functional electronics testing. At those stages, it’s a mistake that is costly and time-consuming to correct. 

These issues can significantly slow down progress. Ensuring data is accurate and silkscreens are clear can reduce the risk of delays and potential rework later in the process.

Can the supply chain deliver components in line with your project timescale?

Every project depends on the availability of components, so it is important to consider what parts and materials are needed for the PCB assembly from the outset. Supply chain pressures, obsolete parts, and global shortages can introduce delays that are hard to predict.

Early planning and open communication with your electronic manufacturing services partner can help to identify risks before they impact delivery dates. Together, you can mitigate project delays by avoiding single-source components and identifying potential substitutes for parts in advance.

Ensure product quality to prevent potential manufacturing defects

Even with advanced automation, circuit board manufacturers in the UK and worldwide know that state-of-the-art equipment alone does not guarantee a defect-free assembly.

Check that your manufacturer implements robust processes, utilises automated inspection equipment, and has a Quality Management System audited to ISO9001, to ensure that assemblies meet specifications and perform as expected. Picking a manufacturer with high standards of electronics testing and quality control is essential.

Keep your project on track with experienced Circuit Board Manufacturers based in the UK

Not all delays can be predicted, but by partnering with a company highly experienced in electronic manufacturing services, you will have the means to navigate, mitigate, and detect issues as early as possible to avoid disruption. 

Why Camtronics makes the difference

At Camtronics, we’ve built our approach around tackling exactly these challenges. From initial enquiry, you’ll be talking to an engineer, not a salesperson.

Our experienced manufacturing engineers support customers with design for manufacturing advice if required, our purchasing team proactively manages component availability, and our dedicated quality processes ensure assemblies conform to your preferred IPC standard.

As a UK-based partner, we combine flexibility, technical expertise, and reliable communication to keep your projects on schedule.

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