Assembly Reliability

Pin-Through-Hole (PTH) technology pre-dates Surface Mount Technology (SMT), but it is still widely used today for certain types of components. Generally, it is use in conjunction with SMT on the same PCB assembly. The issues and concerns associated with PTH technology haven’t gone away, either.

Ensuring Pin-Through-Hole (PTH) reliability begins at the design stage, and relates to the larger component size, which affects the overall size of the finished product. Additionally, it affects component weight, requiring more strength in both the PCB and the finished product, and other considerations. Because it is a different technology, issues of manufacturability needs to address at the design stage as well.

A Pin-Through-Hole PCB, with its Plated-Through-Holes, is fabricated similar to a Surface-Mount-Technology PCB. But it requires a few more steps in the manufacturing process. After the fabrication of PCB, both sides of PCB require copper lamination. Then, the leads of the PTH components are to go through the board for drilling holes. After that, their inside surfaces are electroplated, using the foil laminated to the board to help conduct electricity during the plating process. Then, to form traces and solder pads, the outside copper layers are etched.

When assembling the components to the board, the circuit board gets wave solder after inserting the lead s in the hole. Mainly, it is due to the fact that components are often times too large to allow proper wave soldering from the component side.

Carefully work with the PCB (repairing or modifying the PCB), after finishing it. Heating the solder for removal from the hole during the repair has potential to damage the joint. It connects the annular rings around the hole-plating.

Wave soldering temperatures with lead free solder are critical. Tighter temperature settings need for this purpose because the solder, being lead free, has a higher melting temperature. Solder cannot bond properly, without an accurate temperature Or, the components and board can have negative impact.

RUSH PCB UK Ltd is familiar with all aspects of Plated-Through-Hole technology. Let the engineers at RUSH PCB UK Ltd work with you on the engineering and design of your Plated-Through-Hole printed circuit boards.

So, Let our engineers at RUSH PCB assist with your design. Contact us for manufacturability (DFM) issues related to PTH technology in your assemblies. Contact us at sales@rushpcb.uk, or call us at 408-496-6013.