Through-Hole PCB Assembly
Through-hole assembly has its place, despite more and more board assemblies using SMT components. If you have legacy boards that use a lot of through-hole components, you can rest easy with ETEMCO building your boards as we have years and years of experience.
MEETS IPC-A-610 STANDARDS
All of our production personnel are trained to meet IPC-A-610 standards and that includes hand soldering and rework. With expert soldering techniques, strict quality control, and extensive experience, we ensure that your assembly will meet your requirements.
Our through-hole capabilities
Although much of the electronic manufacturing industry has migrated toward surface mount technology, there is still a significant need for precise through-hole electronic assembly.
We’re fortunate to have a talented team of assemblers that complete this task either semi-automatically, using our Contact Systems CS400 Component Locator machines, or by using manual techniques.
Whatever service you’d like, we promise quick turnaround times, second-to-none customer care, and work backed by many years of expertise in the field.
Fully & Semi-Automated Assembly
Based on your project objectives, we can deliver either fully or semi-automated through-hole assembly services. This flexibility allows us to accommodate varying levels of automation depending on your requirements, budget, and production scale.
Multiple Soldering Processes
Depending on the design of your assembly, ETEMCO has the soldering processes best suited to build your product efficiently while meeting superior quality standards. Our through-hole soldering processes include hand soldering, wave soldering and selective soldering.
Selective & Wave Soldering
Depending on the design of your board assembly and the volume you are ordering, we will choose the soldering method best suited to ensure quality and cost effectiveness. Both processes lend themselves well to large-scale production.
Mixed Technology? Not a Problem!
Mixed technology means your board utilizes both SMT and Through-Hole components, which is common. Our processes for through-hole components are capable of doing the job while leaving the SMT components unaffected, no matter the complexity.
The through-hole assembly process at ETEMCO
Precision placement, secure soldering, & rigorous quality control
Our through-hole PCB assembly service is precise and durable. We expertly place components with leads into drilled holes on the PCB and then solder them using a variety of methods, depending on the board’s design.
No matter the soldering method, we ensure strong mechanical bonds so components can more easily withstand high power, heat, and other impacts.
Soldering completed with precision and control
Whether using wave, selective, or hand soldering, we focus on accuracy and consistency to meet the high standards you deserve.
Automated optical inspection (AOI) & X-Ray
Superior quality control
As a part of all our processes, AOI and X-ray are vital tools that keep us in line with industry standards. AOI allows us to see visible parts of the solder joints, and the x-ray allows us to inspect obscured and hidden solder joints.
These techniques help make sure there aren’t any defects, such as fractures and short circuits.
Functional testing
Maximum performance and longevity
Our team places a strong emphasis on functional testing to ensure your PCB not only looks right but also performs exactly as it should. In this last step of our process, we test the PCBs under real-world conditions to catch any issues before they reach the market.
We offer flexible contracting from prototype to full production
We’re proud to specialize in both manual and semi-automated assembly. As the name implies, our techs hand-place through-hole components into the PCB as part of manual assembly. Semi-automated assembly combines manual placement with machines that aid soldering or part insertion.
Common questions about through-hole PCB fabrication
How does ETEMCO guarantee quality and consistency in through-hole soldering?
Our inspection department inspects all assemblies each time we start an operation and periodically throughout the build. All of our assemblers and inspectors are trained to the IPC-610 standard. The assembly is also inspected using our AOI process or visually inspected once the assembly has completed. Consistency is also ensured when we are able to utilize automation such as the Universal Radial machine or the Contact System CS400.
What is IPC-610, and why does it matter for PCB assembly?
IPC is the global association for electronics manufacturing and sets the standards that assemblies are built to. These standards help to maintain consistent quality of the electronic assemblies. IPC-610 is not limited to through-hole soldering. It also includes standards for box builds, wires, and SMT soldering.
Can SMT and through-hole components be used on the same PCB?
Yes. Occasionally components are only available in a through-hole package. Mixing these parts with the more efficient SMT components on an assembly is not an issue.
Get started with through-hole PCB assembly
Fast quotes, responsive service, & scalable production
All through-hole PCB assembly and soldering is performed to meet or exceed IPC-610 workmanship criteria, underscoring our commitment to quality and industry best practices.
We’ll customize your project to your specifications while staying focused on meeting your deadlines. Whether your project calls for full through-hole assembly or is part of a mixed-tech design, ETEMCO’s top priority is quality craftsmanship every step of the way.
Reach out today for more information.