The Benefits of PCB Assembly Automation
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are widely used in modern electronics and without these circuit boards, most electronics would be impossible to construct. With the rapid development of technology, printed circuit boards are now much easier to mass produce and assemble due to automation and machines. Traditionally, circuit boards were often exclusively hand-assembled which resulted in slower production and less consistency in quality. Automated PCB assembly provides a wide range of benefits for businesses and sectors.
Here are a few benefits of automated assembly:
Lower Overall Cost
Using automated PCB assembly means that you can expect lower overall costs. Many SMT assemblers use exclusive software to assemble the circuit board digitally before actual production. This is to reduce the risk of errors and delays. During this process, PCB designers can fix any design errors which then removes possible issues when production begins. Errors such as omitted polarity marks and incorrect footprints can cause project delays. The use of automated assembly also means that fewer employees are needed for the task. This can lead to financial savings for the assembler which means that the cost of production of PCBs can be lower.
Reduces Human Error
The process of printed circuit board assembly is a delicate task and can often be very difficult. The assembly of circuit boards requires great attention to detail. With circuit boards and components getting smaller, all of the parts must be soldered correctly in order to avoid errors. Whilst mistakes can be made, machines that are designed for repetitive and delicate tasks are less likely to make mistakes when compared to an employee. In these situations, automated machines are more capable of getting more done, in less time, whilst remaining accurate. Ultimately, machines that are deployed in situations where extreme accuracy is needed, can reduce the margin of error.
Shortened Product Development Cycle
The time invested into hand-assembly can vary depending on the circuit board which produces inconsistent time frames for completion. Hand-assembled PCBs can take longer to develop which may be counter-productive if you have several other operations that you could be completed at the same time. By using an automated PCB assembly service, you can be assured that your boards will be delivered in high-quality conditions, whilst enabling you to complete multiple steps in parallel. Therefore, saving you time and money.
Consistent Quality
As an automated machine is designed and programmed to perform the same task repetitively, the accuracy and quality of circuit boards can be better and more consistent than hand-assembly. Automation allows you to preserve the likeliness for each board produced so you can expect consistent quality when you partner with an assembly service.
Suitable for Mass Production
Assembly automation can reduce the production time and costs of printed circuit boards, which allows PCBs to be created at higher volumes. If you require mass production of PCBs, automated services are much more effective at delivering timely and consistent boards whilst remaining cost-effective when compared to hand-assembly.
Contact Clarydon for PCB Assembly Services
Printed circuit board assembly is now more affordable, more accurate and faster due to automation. This allows PCB designers to receive a professional service of large-scale production on small-volume and high-volume orders. If you require circuit board assembly services, please get in touch with one of our PCB specialists.
Call us on 01902 606 000 or you can email us at [email protected].