Packaging and assembly

What is the main advantage of surface mounting compared with inserting leads into holes in the PCB?

  1. AParts always become larger
  2. BSoldering becomes unnecessary
  3. CParts can be smaller, mounted densely on both sides of the board, and assembly is easy to automate
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Answer: C. Parts can be smaller, mounted densely on both sides of the board, and assembly is easy to automate

Surface mounting solders part terminals to pads on the board surface, so no holes are needed; parts can be smaller and mounted densely on both sides. It also suits automation with placement machines and reflow ovens and is the mainstream in today's electronics.

  • A. Surface mounting actually allows smaller parts.
  • B. Surface mounting still uses soldering.
  • C. Correct. Small size, high density and easy automation are its advantages.
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More Packaging and assembly questions

  1. In leadframe packages, what is the main purpose of plating the exposed leads with tin (Sn)-based plating?
  2. In reflow with lead-free solder (Sn-Ag-Cu), which is closest to the peak temperature that parts experience?
  3. Which dicing method, with almost no kerf loss, focuses a laser inside the wafer to create a modified layer and then separates chips by stretching the tape?
  4. Which package has flat electrodes (lands) arranged in a grid on its bottom instead of solder balls?
  5. What material is most widely used as the base material of printed circuit boards in electronics?