Matric | Electronic Contract Manufacturing Blog

PCB Assembly Services: Through-Hole Vs. Surface Mount

As electronics have become increasingly embedded in our day-to-day, the manufacturing process for printed circuit boards (PCBs) has adapted. Electronics have become smaller and smaller, and the PCBs that go in those products have had to shrink to keep up. The demand for tiny PCBs has led to a drastic increase in the use of surface mount technology (SMT) -- which has taken over the traditional through-hole manufacturing process that dominated electronics into the 1980s.

What Are MIL-STD Electronics?

When outsourcing electronics manufacturing, there’s more to consider than just price.  Often, the best electronic contract manufacturers (ECMs) are the ones that have the necessary industry-specific certifications. 

Lead vs. Lead-Free Solder in PCB Manufacturing

OEM circuit board applications cover a wide range of consumer and commercial products, from automobiles to microwaves to IoT devices that automate the functioning of smart facilities. 

What to Do About PCB Failure

When printed circuit boards fail, you can face costly and potentially disastrous consequences. So how do you pick up the pieces afterward?

Understanding the common causes of PCB failure and the tools available to prevent future failures can minimize the stress and cost of dealing with dead PCBs. 

What Nadcap Accreditation Means for Electronic Contract Manufacturing

When searching for a reliable electronics contract manufacturing (ECM), one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “What certifications do they have?”

While many ECMs are RoHS, MSHA, or IPC 6011 compliant, not all have Nadcap accreditation. 

Aerospace Electronics PCB Assembly & Design Guide

You’ve heard about the many great feats and discoveries in the aerospace industry. You’ve also heard about the tragedies that have happened when a design has gone wrong.

How Much Does a PCB Prototype Cost?

Prototyping isn’t reserved for high-tech vehicles or revolutionary consumer gadgets. It’s also a great practice for manufacturing printed circuit boards. 

Types of Conformal Coating for PCB Protection

With the rise of IoT and technology in general, electronics are featured in myriad environments. This means that sensitive electronic connections are potentially exposed to hazards like extreme temperatures, moisture, and dust that can harm components and disrupt the integrity of the assembly itself.

REACH vs. RoHS Compliance for Electronics Manufacturing

Confused about REACH vs. RoHS compliance? You’re not alone. These two sets of electronics manufacturing guidelines were born from the European Union’s concern for human health and the environment.

Outsourcing Electronics Manufacturing: Onshore or Offshore?

It’s time for your organization to begin production of a new electronic device. For one reason or another, you’re in no position to take care of the work in-house. This means that you need to find a good partner to outsource the effort.

What Is the Cost of a Flying Probe Test?

For many companies, the focus on printed circuit board (PCB) production is on-time-delivery and quality. However, just as important to a product’s success and longevity is PCB testing. 

The two most acknowledged forms of effective testing are in-circuit testing (ICT) and flying probe testing. Both are effective at finding lapses in production quality, but the flying probe test is proving to be an especially cost-effective method to improve board standards.

INFOGRAPHIC: Cable Jacket Material Comparison

Cable jackets serve as the first line of defense for wires and cables – which makes choosing the right jacketing material essential. So, you might be asking, what’s the best material for cable jackets?

PCB LED 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. 

Electronics Aftermarket Services: The A to Z Guide

You buy your electronic components, your machines are up and running, customers are happy, your workers are happy -- everything is good. Invoice paid, accounts receivable piling up. Paradise. 

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.

7 Types of PCB Soldering Defects to Watch Out For

Let’s face it, soldering is difficult. It takes years of training to get good at the right kinds of solders, and even machines don’t always get it 100% right. It’s inevitable that you’ll run into PCB soldering defects at one point or another. 

‘Intrinsically Safe’ Design Guidelines for Electrical Devices

The Cost of PCB Repair Services Vs. E-Wasting Your Budget

Plastic waste may snag all of the headlines, but it's not the only type of waste overwhelming landfills and contaminating soil and water.

RoHS-Compliant Countries That Aren’t Actually RoHS-Compliant

It seems simple enough. If you’re a manufacturer who uses electronic components to build your products for American or international markets, you need RoHS 3 compliance. The U.S., China, and other countries have established electronics manufacturing standards on dangerous materials, closely styled after the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances. 

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?

RoHS 2 Compliance & Directives Checklist

In 2006, the European Union rolled out a directive restricting the use of certain hazardous chemicals. This directive, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), would have a far-reaching impact on the electronics industry. Its restrictions on using lead would send manufacturers scrambling to revise their practices or adopt entirely new ones. Thanks to a follow-up directive in 2011, manufacturers now hustle to meet RoHS 2 compliance.

Yes, it’s not a punitive law full of fines and penalties. But if you’re a U.S. company, noncompliance is basically an impassable barrier to entry to the EU trade market. So if you want to do business abroad, don’t mess around -- comply.

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 Does the IPC 6011 Standard Mean to PCB Manufacturing?

In the strict world of printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication and manufacturing, one key factor in the OEM’s success is paying close attention to industry standards. The guiding light for PCB manufacturing is IPC 6011. 

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, enough that sometimes it’s hard to keep them straight.

PCB Engineering Services: 4 Qualities to Look For

When you’re looking for a PCB engineering services provider, there are, of course, multiple things to consider. “Will they be able to meet my specific needs?” is likely your first and foremost concern.