Printed circuit board assembler

Printed circuit board assemblers read blueprints and drawings to assemble printed circuit boards. They use hand- and automated soldering tools and machines to connect electronic components to the board.

Includes people working with surface-mount technology (SMT) or through-hole technology (THT).

The following job titles also refer to printed circuit board assembler:

through-hole technology assembly operative
assembler of printed circuit boards
through-hole technology assembly operator
PCB assembler
printed circuit board fabricator
PCB fabricator
THT operator
through-hole technology assembler
PCB assembly operative

Most printed circuit board assembler positions require a high school diploma, but some employers may also require experience and training in specialized areas. Certificate and associate’s degree programs are available in high-tech manufacturing that can prepare the individual for a position working on complex printed circuit boards. These programs include courses in component identification, soldering, inspection techniques and loading the printed circuit board. Employers may require experience in soldering and the use of specific hand tools for a position with the company.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Printed circuit board assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to printed circuit board assembler.

surface-mount technology machine operator
wave soldering machine operator
automated optical inspection operator
semiconductor processor
printed circuit board test technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of printed circuit board assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of printed circuit board assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

microelectronics engineering technician
computer hardware test technician
electronics engineering technician
sensor engineering technician
electronics production supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of printed circuit board assembler.

• Circuit diagrams: Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
• Integrated circuits: Electronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a microscale and are one of basic components of electronic devices.
• Printed circuit boards: Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic components are electrically connected through conductive tracks and pads.
• Through-hole technology: Through-hole technology or THT is a method of mounting electronic components onto the printed circuit board through inserting leads on the components into holes in the circuit board and soldering the components to the board. THT components attached in this way are usually larger than SMT components, such as capacitors or coils.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Semiconductors: Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. By introducing other elements in the crystal through doping, the crystals turn into semiconductors. Depending on the amount of electrons created by the doping process, the crystals turn into N-type semiconductors, or P-type semiconductors.

These skills are necessary for the role of printed circuit board assembler.

• Solder components onto electronic board: Solder electronic components onto bare electronic boards to create loaded electronic boards using hand soldering tools or soldering machinery.
• Operate insertion mount machine: Operate the insertion mount machine or inserter to insert the leads of electronic components into holes in the printed circuit boards.
• Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• Assemble printed circuit boards: Attach electronic components to the printed circuit board through applying soldering techniques. Electronic components are placed in holes in through-hole assembly (THT), or are placed on the surface of PCB in surface-mount assembly (SMT).
• Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
• Coat printed circuit board: Add a protective layer of coating to the finished printed circuit board.
• Prepare board for soldering: Prepare the loaded printed circuit boards for solder operations. Clean the board and mark designated areas.
• Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
• Apply through-hole technology manually: Use through-hole technology (THT) to attach the leads of larger electronic components through the corresponding holes in printed circuit boards. Apply this technique manually.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of printed circuit board assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Printed circuit boards testing methods: Printed circuit board (PCB) testing methods consist of those processes in which PCB components or systems are tested, such as the in-circuit test (ICT), joint test action group (JTAG) test, and automated optical inspection (AOI).
• Microelectronics: Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
• Electroplating: The process of plating together different types of metals through hydrolysis, silver plating, chromium plating, or copper plating. Electroplating allows for the combination of different metals with different properties in product manufacturing.
• IPC standards: Standards and guidelines with regards to the use and manufacture of electronics and printed circuit boards. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general safety rules, electronic equipment manufacture, electronic equipment testing, and qualifications.
• Surface-mount technology: Surface-mount technology or SMT is a method where the electronic components are placed on the surface of the printed circuit board. SMT components attached in this way are usually sensitive, small components such as resistors, transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
• Electrochemistry: Subdiscipline of chemistry that studies the chemical reactions that take place during the interaction of an electrolyte, a chemical substance that works as an ionic conductor, and an electrode, or an electrical conductor. Electrochemistry deals with the electrical charge that moves between the electrolyte and electrodes and studies the interaction between chemical changes and electrical energy. Electrochemistry is famously used in the manufacture of batteries.
• Microprocessors: Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of printed circuit board assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Oversee logistics of finished products: Ensure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Use diagnostic tools for electronic repairs: Use diagnostic equipment to measure current, resistance and voltage. Handle sophisticated multimeters to measure inductance, capacitance and current transistor gain.
• Check for solder defects: Check the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.
• Pack electronic equipment: Safely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.
• Test microelectronics: Test microelectronics using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
• Operate wave soldering machine: Operate the wave soldering machine to solder electronic components onto the printed circuit board. Here, the board is moved over a wave of liquid solder and the connections inserted through the board are bonded firmly to the circuit board.
• Maintain microelectronics: Diagnose and detect malfunctions in microelectronic systems, products, and components and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Clean components during assembly: Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
• Clean printed circuit board: Clean the printed circuit boards and components as necessary before, during, and after the assembly process.
• Operate smt placement equipment: Operate surface-mount technology (SMT) machines and equipment to place and solder surface-mount devices (SMD) onto the printed circuit board with high precision.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Test printed circuit boards: Test the printed circuit board with special testing adapters to ensure optimal efficiency, functionality, and that everything works according to design. Adapt the testing devices to the type of circuit board.
• Operate precision machinery: Operate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.

8212 – Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

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References

1. Printed circuit board assembler – ESCO