In its broadest sense, electronics covers almost all circuits and devices that use semiconductors, particularly transistors. So, essentially, most circuits around us that are even modestly sophisticated are electronic circuits ( compared to simpler electrical circuits). Several steps are involved in developing an electronic circuit, including electronic assembly. This article will aim to answer “what is electronics assembly?”
What Is Electronics Assembly?
In its broadest sense, electronics assembly is the process of assembling an electronic circuit or product into its final form so it can be tested and deployed. But if we adhere to the circuit-specific interpretation of an electronics assembly, the term refers to assembling components on the Printed Circuit Board or PCB to create a final, functional circuit/electronics in its broadest sense; electronics cover almost all circuits and devices that use semiconductors, particularly transistors.
Therefore, most modestly sophisticated circuits around us are electronic circuits (compared to simpler electrical circuits). This step is preceded by the manufacturing of the PCB, which itself is preceded by the Cricut design phase, where both the PCB and all components that will be assembled on it are identified and finalized (and procured). The electronics assembly may or may not include testing as its inherent part since this practice varies among PCB fabricators/electronics manufacturers.
A more comprehensive answer to the question “What is electronics assembly?” may also include the steps involved. The three core steps are:
Pre-Assembly
The Pre-assembly step is all about preparation. The PCB circuit is prepared and tested for its electrical characteristics, grounding, and some other characteristics before it gets a pass for assembling. The components are also prepared/arranged for the assembly process. Based on whether the process is manual or automatic, the pre-assembly process can be more or less extensive than the actual assembly.
Assembly
The actual electronics assembly process is when the components are connected, installed, and soldered onto the PCB board to turn it into the desired final product. The process can be both manual and automatic. In manual electronics assembly, the components are affixed or placed on the PCB and then soldered or connected to the board another way. Soldering is the most common method, but there are others as well, like plugging in a component if the requisite assembly was installed on the board beforehand. It can be as easy as inserting the component in the right housing. In some cases, PCBs have holes that are perfectly sized for component legs and can hold them in place. Conductive adhesives are another way to install components onto the PCB without soldering them.
All of these are relevant for automatic electronics assembly as well. The difference is that the task of placing and installing the components on the PCB falls on the relevant machine. Different machines may perform different relevant tasks in this regard, including inserting the components in the right through holes, wave soldering, selective soldering, etc. Surface-mounted technology or SMT components require a pick-and-place machine that is responsible for accurately placing the SMT components in the right place on the flex pcbs surface(s). The next step is a reflow oven where SMTs are physically and electrically bonded to the PCB via heat.
At the end of this assembly process, you will have a functioning electronic circuit in your hand. This is where circuit assembling differentiates from electronics assembly because, in some cases, the electronics assembly might require the installation of the final circuit into the device it has been created for before it’s tested.
Post-Assembly
Testing is the most common post-assembly step. Once all the components are installed and the circuit is complete, it can be tested for functionality and various tolerances and conditions. After the tests, it can either be packaged as a stand-alone product, which happens with circuits like computer motherboards and GPU cards or be installed in the device it was created for, like a cellphone or smart fridge. In the latter case, the final installation is also within the purview of electronics assembly.
What Does An Electronics Assembler Do?
An electronics assembler is the individual responsible for electronics assembly, and their role varies based on whether the assembly is manual or automatic, as well as some other factors. In the manual assembly process, the electronics assembler is responsible for placing the component on the right spot on the PCB surface and soldering or affixing it in any other way. They have to ensure that components have enough clearance for the final assembly and that their packaging does not prevent the installation of other components. They also ensure that the components are installed properly and soldered correctly since the soldering cracks can significantly undermine the functionality and electrical profile of the entire circuit. From installing and caring for the individual components to completing the entire circuit while adhering to the best assembling standards, electronics assemblers are responsible for the final circuit assembly.
When the assembling process is manual, electronics assemblers may spend a lot of time in the preparation stage. They may have to ensure that all the required components are available and in the right quantities. They may also have to visually inspect or test the components to ensure they function as they should. During the automated assembly process, the electronics assembler may provide the necessary oversight and ensure that there are no issues in the assembly line. They are also responsible for testing/Quality Assurance of the final electronics circuit/product.
The answer to the question “What does an electronics assembler do?” may be more comprehensive if we broaden the scope of the term to refer to businesses that undertake electronics assembly tasks instead of individuals.
Final Words
Electronics assembly is a critical step in creating a functional and safe electronic circuit/product, and it’s crucial that assemblers adhere to the relevant best practices. It’s possible to use the best components and have a highly sophisticated PCB but still, come up with a weak final product if a significant enough mistake is made in the assembling stage.
