Surface mount technology, SMT with its associated surface mount devices, SMDs enable PCB assembly of electronic equipment to be far more efficient than had the old leaded technology been used.
When it was introduced, SMT revolutionised PCB assembly, making it very many times faster, and the finished results more reliable.However to fit in with the PCB assembly methods for soldering that enable volume PCB assembly and manufacturing need to be employed.
The soldering processes required for SMDs during the PCB assembly needs to ensure the components are held in place during the soldering, the components are not damaged, and the final soldered quality is exceedingly high.
One of the main causes of equipment failure in the past has been the quality of the soldering, and by ensuring the soldering quality is very high, the PCB assembly process can be optimised and the overall equipment reliability and quality is able to meet the highest standards.
