What Are RoHS 3 Substances? Ensure Your Provider is Compliant
There are major regulation change coming to electronics in Europe, and it’s important for everyone to take note, including U.S. manufacturers who sell to EU customers.
ICT Test Vs Flying Probe Test
Deciding on the best testing method for your printed circuit board can be a daunting task. There are plenty of factors to take into consideration, including costs, coverage, and development lead time. However, there are two popular test strategies you’ll often find yourself choosing between: ICT testing vs flying probe testing.
Electronic Component Shortages Update -- 2022 and Beyond
COMPONENT SHORTAGE: NOVEMBER ‘22 UPDATE:
Nearly a year after our last update, we have returned to find a similar situation regarding shortages in the component market. The component shortage remains constant, and the theme has been adapting and innovating as demand remains high and the supply low for chips for consumer electronics.
Designs for new products have been shifted as well. So much so, in fact, that engineers and support staff are encouraged to come at designs from a different angle- one that prioritizes component sourcing before problem-solving. This is the new preferred way to circumvent the ongoing supply chain issues.
Higher prices and the difficulty in finding available products both mesh to result in the shift in priority for design staff at various companies. Even more so than in years past, flexibility is encouraged and celebrated in the manufacturing industry.
Also influencing the global chip shortage, the war in Ukraine has impeded the export of neon gas. This, in turn, puts a strain on component manufacturers. The lasers used to cut the minuscule chips require neon gas to perform the task. Back inventory at bigger companies is now a thing of the past, and supply chain shortages remain such a central concern that the turnaround experts hope to see will be mid-2023, if at all.
How SMT Production Maximizes First Run Yield
Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is a process that requires precision and reliability.
Nadcap vs. AS9100 Standard for Electronics: What's the Difference?
If there's one thing that takes center stage in the aerospace industry, it's safety. This, of course, comes hand in hand with high-quality components.
Electronics Manufacturing Services: Equipment Your Partner Should Have
Today a growing number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) outsource some of their work to electronics contract manufacturers (ECMs). The ECMs are crucial partners when bringing your product to the market. However, while there are plenty of electronic manufacturing companies to choose from, not all are equal.
Selecting the ideal one can ensure a smooth manufacturing journey from design to aftermarket support. But, how will you ensure that you are partnering up with the right ECMs that you can truly put your trust in?
We've come up with a list of equipment your partner should have, plus other factors to guide your outsourcing process.
What Does an Electronic Manufacturing Services Company Do?
Do you work for an original equipment manufacturer or OEM? Chances are you’ve crossed paths with a project requiring an electronic manufacturing services company.
Worth It to Outsource PCB Assembly Services? Definitely
More manufacturers these days are realizing the benefits of using external PCB assembly services versus a DIY approach. Allowing an electronics contractor to lend its expertise has resulted in happier, more efficient OEMs.
What to Know About Electronic Cable & Harness Assembly
When it comes to making a custom electronic cable and harness assembly, the little details matter. A faulty wire or a bad connection could ruin an expensive piece of equipment and slow down manufacturing processes.
What is Obsolescence Management for Electronics?
You just installed your new PCBs in your machines and they’re working great! Dust off your hands and pat yourself on the back; the hard part’s done, right?
LED PCB Design for Safety
At this point, we’re all familiar with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. From the bright, efficient bulbs replacing the old filament lamps, to the flashy, colorful strips mounted behind TVs and monitors.
Guide to Working With an Electronics Manufacturing Services Company
“How will my idea go from conception to finished product at your company?” It’s a question we hear a lot, and a good one. It’s natural to want to know whom you’re dealing with and how far their capabilities extend.
7 PCB Testing Methods You Need to Know
When you order printed circuit boards (PCB), you know the pricey consequence of failure. The last thing you need financially is for your PCBs to suddenly drop dead -- or to have a shortened life span because of a design or QA issue.
PCB assembly testing methods are an integral part of the manufacturing process. Reputable electronics contract manufacturers (ECMs) offer a variety of PCB testing methods, but the seven main types include:
- In-circuit testing
- Flying probe testing
IPC Class Definitions for Class 1, 2, & 3 Electronics
In electronics manufacturing, printed circuit boards are separated into three categories: 1, 2, and 3. The categories reflect the level of quality of each circuit board type, from lowest (Class 1 standards) to highest (Class 3 standards). This classification system was developed and is monitored by IPC under the IPC-6011 standard.
IPC Standards Chart for U.S.
The IPC standards chart (or tree, in some circles) provides guidelines for the production and assembly requirements of electronics manufacturing companies. Each “code” on the tree is a standard or document outlining the guidelines or requirements for building an assembly.
Moving to a Wireless Industrial Control: IoT & More
Many industrial and manufacturing operations are looking closely at wireless industrial controls to see what benefits they offer. These wireless systems definitely have advantages -- enabling your systems to communicate more effectively with one another and with your team -- but they require an investment in time and capital to utilize.
How Aftermarket Electronics Remanufacturing Boosts the Energy Industry
Massive amounts of money are at play when it comes to power distribution electronics. The electronic product development life cycle frequently sparks frustration among OEMs in this industry because parts steadily wear out and require attention to keep critical infrastructure operating.
Full-blown replacement of a product is neither cost-effective nor efficient when downtime is harmful to both OEMs and the end consumer. It's absolutely crucial that you're always thinking about the electronic component life cycle and making plans for the future.
All About MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) Regulations
Just about any piece of electronics can be dangerous when they’re manufactured poorly. But when you’re manufacturing for the mining industry, you’re in especially big trouble if your product is a liability in the field.
11 PCB Design Tips for Photovoltaic/Solar Panel Electronics
When designing solar-powered embedded systems intended for outdoor applications, durability, performance, and energy efficiency are a perfect storm of considerations. The dream is to balance all three, but how can you make that a reality?
Mitigating Component and Electronic Obsolescence in Medical Devices
Global supply chain shortages mixed with bottlenecks in the shipping industry and labor shortages have triggered serious problems in nearly every industry. With an increase in both prices and supply shortages, electronics obsolescence is becoming an inevitability throughout many markets.
6 Challenges in Medical Tech Manufacturing: Standards & Certs
More opportunity, more money … and more problems.
Life Working for an Electronics Contract Manufacturer
It’s your first week on the job and your supervisor calls a floor meeting. A mine that contracts our services had a structural issue, but thanks to our electrical failsafe components, no lives were lost. That's how life could be if you worked in electronics manufacturing
Flying Probe Testing 101
PCB design is tricky. Depending on how complex your project is -- or how much is at stake if something fails -- you may need top-end testing before launching your product.
