Author Archives: Erin

Wire Harness

ACME PCB Assembly Wire and Cable Harness Services

It is important to understand that a wire harness is different than a cable harness.  A wire is a single conductor, while cables are two or more wires that are insulated being wrapped in a larger jacket. These two technologies demand their own set of unique tools, fixtures, and machinery to help reduce production costs. Knowing exactly what type of product being used is crucial to perfectly create your designs.

Wire harnesses generally do not need much to work with and is generally an inexpensive and cost-efficient way for many people to solve their electrical needs. With a single machine, one can increase their production capabilities because of the relative simplicity of wires in general.

A wire harness is a method that incorporates several point-to-point cable assemblies together into one conclusive assembly.  They are generally held together using cable ties or some form of protective sleeve used to protect the wires or cables from environmental conditions like moisture, heat or friction, and to organize the different breakouts for easy routing through a system or box build.

What Can Wire Harnesses be Used For?

Though you might confuse a wire harness for a cable assembly, there is one main difference and that is a wire harnesses usually contains several ends or breakouts, running in different directions, serving multiple functions with multiple terminations on each breakout.

A custom wire harness can be used in durable goods like household appliances, in and around engines of all kinds – automobiles, buses, locomotives, trucks, and even planes.  Electronic equipment, construction machinery, industrial equipment, HVAC products all use wire harnesses as well.

Located in Carson, California, ACME PCB Assembly utilizes top of the line technology from Schleuniger to perfectly cut, strip, and process any wire or cable you need. After 27 plus years in the business, ACME PCB Assembly has the experience to be your contract manufacturer for cable & wire harness projects. As an IPC-A-610 certified assembler with a certified trainer in house, you can be rest assured the cables and wires that come out of ACME will exceed the standards.

ACME PCB Assembly offers Wire harness Services Contact Us.

Printed circuit board production

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) vs. Through-Hole Technology: Pros and Cons

In the ever-evolving world of electronics manufacturing, choosing the right assembly method is crucial for optimizing both performance and cost-efficiency. Two prominent techniques in this realm are Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Through-Hole Technology. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks, making it essential to understand their unique characteristics and applications.

Printed circuit board productionSurface Mount Technology (SMT) has become the industry standard due to its efficiency and versatility. SMT involves mounting electronic components directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs). This method significantly enhances the automation potential, allowing for high-speed production and reduced labor costs. The compact nature of SMT components enables the design of smaller and lighter devices, a crucial factor in modern electronics where space and weight are at a premium.

One of the key benefits of SMT is its superior performance in high-frequency applications. The reduced lead length in SMT components minimizes the parasitic inductance and capacitance, leading to better signal integrity and faster operational speeds. This makes SMT the preferred choice for complex and high-speed circuits commonly found in telecommunications, computing, and consumer electronics.

However, SMT is not without its challenges. The smaller component size can make manual handling and inspection difficult, necessitating advanced automated inspection systems. Additionally, SMT components are generally less robust in terms of mechanical strength compared to their through-hole counterparts, which can be a consideration in applications subject to high mechanical stress.

On the other hand, Through-Hole Technology has been a staple in the industry for decades. This method involves inserting component leads through pre-drilled holes in the PCB and soldering them on the opposite side. The primary advantage of through-hole technology is its mechanical stability. The strong solder joints created by this method are highly reliable, making it ideal for applications where durability and longevity are paramount.

Through-hole technology also excels in high-power and high-voltage applications. The robust nature of the components allows them to handle greater electrical currents, making through-hole technology indispensable in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment. Additionally, through-hole components are easier to handle and inspect manually, which can be beneficial for prototyping and low-volume production.

Despite its strengths, through-hole technology has its limitations. The manual insertion process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, leading to higher production costs and longer assembly times. The requirement for drilled holes also reduces the available space on the PCB for routing signals, potentially limiting design flexibility and increasing the board size.

In conclusion, the choice between SMT and through-hole technology depends on the specific requirements of your project. For high-speed, high-density, and cost-sensitive applications, SMT offers unparalleled advantages. Conversely, for high-reliability, high-power, and mechanically robust applications, through-hole technology remains a superior choice. Understanding the pros and cons of each method allows manufacturers to make informed decisions that align with their production goals and application needs.

For more detailed information on our SMT assembly services, visit our Surface Mount Technology Assembly page. Explore how we can help you leverage the strengths of SMT to achieve your project objectives.

What Does It Mean to Be a Full-Service PCB Assembly Provider?

If you are in need of fully assembled printed circuit boards (PCBs) for your products, but you don’t know where to start, this article will guide you in the right direction. If  you don’t have any printed circuit boards or any of the parts, and you certainly don’t want to burden your limited staff with the task of putting all those PCBs together, you will need a full-service PCB assembly provider.

Printed Circuit Board FabricationACME PCB Assembly is an ISO 9001:2015 certified EMS. We make sure you get best price with highest quality, on time delivery schedule. All PCBs are meet the high standards established by the IPC 600. Since ACME PCB Assembly is a IPC certified trainer for IPC A-610, we know how important the quality of bare board is, and we know what can drive the PCB Assembly labor higher.

Being a full-service PCB assembly provider means that we handle every aspect of the project. You just give us your specs, and we’ll do everything else, including:

At Acme PCB Assembly, we have the experience, the vendor relationships, and the well-trained staff of fulfill your PCB order. The great thing about full-service PCB assembly is that you don’t have to worry about a thing. You don’t have to find the right parts vendors or ship materials to us. We handle everything.

We closely match new incoming inquiries to board house equipment and capabilities, ensuring you receive only those inquiries that you are interested in Acme Circuit board assembly provide PCB fabrication service in the development and manufacturing of quality single, double sided and Multi-Layers printed circuit boards for the computer, medical, transportation, communication, aircraft, aerospace and related industries.

Of course, if you already have printed circuit boards on hand and the PCB components you need, then you can also opt for partial service.

Contact us today to learn about all of our service options, including our add-on services.

 

Turnkey Yun Industrial

Differences Between Full Turn Key and Partial Turn Key Printed Circuit Board Services

Differences Between Full Turn Key and Partial Turn Key Printed Circuit Board Services

You are looking for a printed circuit board turn-key assembly provider for a new product. When you call up a printed circuit board manufacturer, the first question you are likely to get is, “Do you want full turn key service or partial turn key service?” What is the difference between full and partial turn key service, and what is the best option for you?

Partial Turn Key Service

To make a printed circuit board, the manufacturer needs a variety of components. First, they need the circuit board itself. Next, they’ll need electronic components, conductive tracks, and pads. They may also need capacitors, resistors, and other components that will be soldered onto the printed circuit board.

If you choose partial turn key service, you will be expected to supply your printed circuit board turn-key assembly with the circuit boards along with some of the parts. Your vendor can then get the rest of the parts and proceed with the fabrication of the fully printed circuit board.

The partial turn key option is ideal if you already have a lot of parts on hand and want to save time and money. If you don’t have parts, don’t know where to order the right parts, or don’t even know what the right parts are for your printed circuit board, then the full turn key service is probably a better option for you.

Full Turn Key Service

Turnkey PCBThe full turn key service is just like what it sounds. The printed circuit board turn-key assembly provider does all the work. They provide the circuit boards, order all the parts, and fabricate the circuit order. Basically, all you need to do is put in the order. The PCB assembly provider might even be able to help you develop the necessary plans and parts list to get your project off the ground. While a full turn key service will be more expensive than partial turn key service, it can save you a lot of hassle and headaches, especially if you are new to the world of printed circuit boards.

At ACME PCB Assembly, we offer both partial turn key service and full turn key service. We are happy to work with clients from step one of their project or to jump in to complete the project if necessary. If you aren’t sure which service is right for you, contact us today and we would be glad to tell you more about both options.

Our turn-key assembly project for electronics manufacturing services (EMS) model encompasses a broad range of electronics manufacturing services, from design to prototype to production to order fulfillment. We also perform Turn-Key box build, mechanical and final assembly, and packaging.

 

Proud to Be a Lead-Free PCB Assembly Provider

Is lead-free (Pb-Free) also on your mind? It should be. Lead-free (Pb-Free) will impact almost everyone in the electronics industry – from suppliers of component, board and materials like paste and flux to manufacturers and users of electronics products and equipment. Also expect considerable investment both in human resources and capital equipment. Your relationship with your suppliers and customers will also be tested.

There’s a reason that in the United States we no longer allow lead in paint or in gasoline. Though lead is a naturally occurring element, it can be highly toxic to humans. It has been connected with behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, slowed growth, anemia, and even coma and death in severe cases. Children and pregnant women are the most at risk of lead poisoning.

Printed Circuit Board FabricationFor a long time, lead has been part of the soldering process, which is critical to making printed circuit boards. Here at ACME PCB Assembly, we have made the commitment to adopt lead-free solders. Replacing lead solders requires more than just replacing equipment. Lead-free solders have a higher melting point, which means we have had to revise our entire production and assembly process. This required re-training our workers.

Lead-free solder and assembly reliability is achieved if trained specialists carefully implement several process requirements. There are a number of variables that must be taken into consideration to achieve lead-free solder assembly joint reliability.

ACME PCB Assembly is flexible in meeting your requirements. We have offered Lead-Free (Pb-Free) soldering since 2005. Please review Design to Avoid Tin Wiskers for RoHS compliant (Lead-Free) assembly. Though the change was difficult, it was worth it to remove the risk of lead exposure from our facilities.  Now, when you work with us, you know that you are working with a lead-free PCB assembly provider.