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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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