As the heart of all modern-day electronics, Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) support and connect electronic components to make an electronic device function. And there are two main methods for mounting components onto a PCB. In this article, you will learn about the difference between those two methods – Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Through-Hole (TH),…
Details2020 left a disruption in manufacturing as companies paused operations and adapted to operate with fewer people. This US Chamber of Commerce Foundation study finds that more than half of US states (28) have more open jobs than available workers to fill them. Even before the pandemic, the skills gap already plagued the labor market…
DetailsElectrostatic Discharge (ESD), is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects. This is the same static shock we get when walking across a carpet and then touching a doorknob afterward. This unwanted flow of electricity can disable or severely damage sensitive electronics. As more devices today and in the future get more…
DetailsThe 2020 Coronavirus pandemic took a massive toll on business operations for everybody across the electronics industry, and training wasn’t spared. With the topic centered on the online pivot of 2020 for technical training programs, I-Connect007’s Nolan Johnson recently interviewed Jahr Turchan, Director of Veteran Services and Advanced Manufacturing Programs, Blackfox. Jahr talked about training…
DetailsSurface Mount Soldering is a commonly used technique in the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly process. Instead of components with leads inserted into holes as with “Through Hole” soldering, in this technique, components are attached to the pads on the board surface. Among all the SMT processes, soldering requires the most extreme focus when being…
DetailsThe pandemic disrupted businesses worldwide, but many have learned to adapt and even improve their existing processes. I-Connect007’s Andy Shaughnessy recently spoke with Blackfox’s Jamie Noland, IPC MIT / Marketing & IT Manager, about some of the lessons learned from COVID-19 and how the company has adapted and developed new ways of training its students.…
DetailsPoor soldering tip maintenance is a common culprit in most soldering issues. Most of which is caused by a heavy buildup of oxidation on the soldering iron tip’s surface. A bad tip is unable to perform an effective heat transfer to the connection point, which then affects the final product in the assembly line. As…
Details2020 was a year of unprecedented lockdowns that were implemented to control the outbreak. These then sparked simultaneous massive economic repercussions all over the world. For the electronics industry especially, it has been one turbulent year. Fortunately, 2021 gave the world a chance to hit the reset button. This article will talk about the electronic…
DetailsElectronics used to operate solely at standard temperatures. Today, it doesn’t only demand faster and more powerful circuitry, modern electronics also require boards to function in much harsher environments, including extremely high temperatures, pushing operating tolerances to their limits. In the past, products that were not considered high-temperature electronics, like computers, are now being designed…
DetailsBefore Surface Mount Technology, through-hole circuits were the industry standard. They require holes to be drilled on the board. Then, components were mounted on the side of the board by threading their leads through matching holes (hence the name). Though it was relatively simple, through-hole connections don’t allow for much automation of boards’ manufacturing process,…
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