SMT PCB Assembly Manufacturing
OurPCB specializes in Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) using Surface Mount Technology (SMT) for precision and efficiency. SMT places compact components directly on the PCB, reducing size and weight while improving performance. With advanced technology and expertise, OurPCB delivers high-quality, reliable PCB assemblies tailored to your needs.
Different Types of Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
Here are three main types of SMT assemblies, categorized based on the placement of components and the use of Through-Hole Technology (THT).
| SMT Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Type I (Pure SMT) | Only contains Surface-Mount Devices (SMDs), mounted on one or both sides of the PCB. No THT components are used. |
| Type II (Hybrid SMT & THT) | A combination of SMT and THT components. The primary side has active SMT components and Dual In-line Packages (DIPs), while the secondary side typically has passive SMT chips. This is the most common type but requires multiple soldering processes (e.g., reflow and wave soldering). |
| Type III (Mainly THT with Passive SMT) | Similar to Type II, but the primary side mainly contains THT components (such as DIPs), while the secondary side has only passive SMT components. This is less common today due to the increasing use of full-SMT designs. |
PCB Manufacturing Process
The SMT Manufacturing Process
The primary steps in the SMT manufacturing process include:
A solder paste printer applies paste to PCB pads using a metal stencil. The stencil aligns precisely with solder pad locations, ensuring accurate paste application.
A pick-and-place machine precisely places SMT components onto the solder paste-covered pads using X-Y coordinates from the PCB layout. Manual placement is difficult due to the small component size.
The board passes through a reflow oven with four stages: Preheat (140–160°C), Soak (stabilizes heat), Reflow (210–230°C to melt solder), and Cooling (prevents thermal stress).
Methods like AOI, X-ray, and visual inspection detect defects. Faulty boards undergo rework and reinspection.
Functional tests such as flying probe, bed of nails, and solderability testing ensure the PCB assembly meets performance requirements.
Why Choose Our SMT PCB Assembly Manufacturing Services?
As a leading SMT PCB assembly manufacturer, we have nearly 20 years of experience providing high-quality PCB assembly prototyping and manufacturing. Our small-batch SMT assembly services allow you to test and validate your design before full-scale production—ensuring performance and reliability without high costs.
With over 3,000 satisfied clients, we support you from prototype to mass production, offering cost-effective solutions and fast turnaround times to help you bring your product to market efficiently. Whether you need quick-turn prototypes or high-volume SMT assembly, we deliver precision, quality, and expertise at every step.
What is the Cost of SMT PCB Assembly?
| Quantity: 5 | 50 cm² | 100 cm² | 200 cm² | 400 cm² | 600 cm² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Layer | $17 | $21 | $26 | $36 | $46 |
| 10-Layer | $259 | $279 | $308 | $359 | $412 |
Your final cost will depend on how many PCB you need. Request a free online pcb quote for your project now. New customers get $100 off their first project with us!
SMT PCB Assembly Lead Time
| Number of Layers | Number of Days |
|---|---|
| 1- to 2-Layer PCBs | 5 days |
| 4-Layer PCBs | 6 days |
| 6-Layer PCBs | 7 days |
| 8-Layer PCBs | 8 days |
| 10-Layer PCBs | 9 days |
Lead time may extend depending on the quantity of PCB orders. Contact us today for a free quote to get an accurate estimation of the lead time you can expect.
PCB Assembly Services
Our expert engineers craft precise and detailed schematic diagrams, no matter the complexity of your project.
Leveraging advanced tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence, Eagle, and KiCAD, we produce reliable and efficient PCB layouts tailored to your needs.
We provide end-to-end firmware development services to enhance the functionality of embedded systems seamlessly.
Custom software and app solutions according to your specifications.
We specialize in creating innovative algorithm solutions for a wide range of applications, including image processing and data analysis challenges.
Rapid prototyping and optimized designs with 3D printing and enclosure design expertise.
Millions of business and innovators use OurPCB
Technical Capabilities
Capabilities & Services
- PCB Layout Design
- Up to 50 Layers
- 0.3mm BGA Pin Spacing
- 60GHz High Frequencies
- Stack-up Design
- Rigid, Flex, HDI, High-speed, Power Boards
- 100,000+ PIN
- 2.4mil Trace Width/Spacing
- Controlled Impedance
- DFM Check
Mon-Fri: 24 hours,
Sat: 9am-6pm, GMT+8
Reach us at
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+86-199-30589219
Mon-Fri: 24 hours,
Sat: 9am-6pm, GMT+8
Surface Mount Technology FAQs
SMT (Surface Mount Technology) is a PCB production or assembly method that involves placing and soldering electronic components directly onto the PCB surface. The process requires a solder paste printer to apply the solder paste, a pick-and-place SMT machine for component placement, and a reflow oven to melt the solder and weld components to pads.
SMT is challenging for prototyping because steps like solder paste printing and component placement need stencils and pick-and-place files for specific board designs. Consequently, prototyping can be costly, but it is doable.
An SMD is a Surface Mount Device. An SMD device is mounted on a PCB utilizing surface mount technologies. SMD electronics are designed to not have components with leads that go through holes, as they are soldered onto pads on the surface. SMD parts include resistors, capacitors, and an SMD chip.
SMT is the surface mounting process in this PCB assembly technology, while SMD refers to the component or type of device used.
So, which one technology do you choose for your PCB? Here’s how SMT compares to THT:
Component Size
SMT components are significantly smaller than THT parts, primarily because they have smaller/shorter leads or contact pads. THT devices have larger and longer leads.
Assembly Process
Assembling SMT components requires solder paste printing, component placement using a pick-and-place machine, and reflow soldering. But THT assembly needs component insertion machines followed by wave soldering.
Mechanical Strength
THT provides more robust mechanical bonds with the board because the component pins go through the PCB and are soldered on the other side. These solder joints handle environmental and mechanical stresses better than SMT joints.
Both THT and SMT are technologies used to mount and solder components on a bare board. Here is how SMT is different from the traditional THT:
Higher Component Density
SMT components are significantly smaller than their THT counterparts, so it is possible to pack them at a higher density per unit area on the board’s surface.
Efficient Use of PCB Space
Because they are smaller than THT components, SMT parts occupy less space on the board. This makes it possible to build smaller PCBs or leave more space for other functions.
No Drilling Required
THT creates electrical connections between the board and components by mounting component leads into holes drilled through the PCB. These leads are soldered on the other side of the plated-through hole to create a reliable mechanical and electrical joint.
However, SMT involves mounting components directly on the PCB surface, which requires no drilling.
SMT is important in electronics manufacturing because it:
- Contributes to miniaturization
- Improves PCB reliability (less noise and parasitism)
- Enhances circuit board performance of PCBs (high component density)
- Reduces the production costs
These components are cheaper than their THT counterparts, and the assembly process is easier to automate.
Consumer Electronics
SMT is common in smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and other compact consumer electronics because of its miniaturization advantage.
Medical Devices
Compact medical equipment like heart rate monitors, EMG, EEG, and ECG sensors, glucometers, and pacemakers require miniaturization, which is one of the benefits of SMT. The reliability offered by SMT is also important in medical devices.
Automotive Industry
Modern vehicles have several control systems and modules that require efficient, stable, and reliable operations. SMT provides these advantages.
Aerospace and Defense
SMT components can weigh up to 10 times less than THT devices, which results in high PCB weight reduction. This factor is important in aerospace and defense applications because lift pulls in the opposite direction of weight. Drones, planes, and rockets benefit immensely from this technology.
Resistors and Capacitors
Resistors are the most common SMD components, and their purpose is to limit the flow of electric current through the circuit. They include various types, such as thin film, thick film, wire-wound, and current-sense resistors.
On the other hand, capacitors store electric charge, functioning as temporary batteries or power supplies in the circuit. They include ceramic, electrolytic, film, and tantalum capacitors.
Integrated Circuits (ICs)
ICs are complex SMT components that have multiple transistors, resistors, diodes, capacitors, etc., on a single chip. They include digital, analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs.
Diodes and Transistors
Diodes are 2-terminal semiconductors that only allow current to flow in one direction to help in rectification, signal processing, lighting, and voltage regulation. On the other hand, transistors are 3-terminal semiconductors that switch or amplify electric signals.
Inductors and Transformers
Inductors are single coils that store energy in a magnetic field when current flows through them. They are common in power supplies and analog circuits, where they stabilize the current flow and filter out high-frequency noise.
Transformers have at least two coils. They transfer energy from one circuit to another using magnetic induction.
Connectors and Switches
SMD connectors provide electrical connections between the PCB and external devices without permanent attachment (soldering). On the other hand, switches give manual control over the electrical current flow in a circuit.
