Power electronics are a crucial component to Packet Digital’s power management solutions. Whether for batteries, solar power or drone hardware, our circuit boards are the “brains” that drive each system. We design, assemble and test our circuit boards at our Fargo, N.D., facility, which results in more secure products, quicker production runs and thorough quality checks.
The hub of Packet Digital’s printed circuit board assembly runs through our surface-mount technology (SMT) line. The SMT line enables smaller component sizes and higher component-density PCBs — meaning more functionality in less space. That supports compact, high-performance devices, such as battery management electronics, UAS power systems, embedded control circuits, and other space- or weight-constrained applications. The SMT line ensures precise solder-paste printing, automated inspection, high-speed pick-and-place, controlled reflow, and thorough QA processes.
All assemblies meet strict quality, cybersecurity and supply-chain protection practices that meet defense-industry standards. Packet Digital ensures careful handling of sensitive designs, reliable sourcing of components, and the integrity needed for use in high-reliability systems.
USA-based PCB Assembly
Reliable Component Sourcing
Fast Prototyping
Pre and Post AOI Inspection
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is a key process in the electronics manufacturing industry, used for the assembly of electronic components onto printed circuit boards (PCBs). Packet Digital’s SMT line offers considerable advantages for PCB assembly including smaller component sizes, higher component density and increased automation.
Contact us today to learn more about how our professional SMT line operators can be the solution for your PCB production.
“Packet Digital has been an incredible local partner for 701x. Their state-of-the-art SMT and inspection capabilities consistently deliver some of the highest-quality PCB assemblies we’ve worked with.”
— Braydon Love, Vice President of Research and Development, 701x
Fuji GPX-CII
A high-accuracy screen printer uses vision alignment to precisely deposit solder paste onto PCB pads through a stencil. It ensures exact volume and positioning, creating the critical electrical and mechanical foundation for surface mount components.
Omron VP9000 3D
The solder paste inspection machine verifies the solder paste deposit volumes on the PCB. This includes checking for solder bridges, insufficient solder, excessive solder and any other anomalies that may affect the integrity of the joint.
Fuji AIMEX IIIc
(2 machines)
A pick-and-place machine precisely places electronic components onto PCBs, following programed coordinates, orientations and other parameters. Packet Digital has two pick-and-place machines and that can place up to 50,000 components per hour.
Omron VT-Z600 2D
(pre-reflow AOI/component AOI)
Omron S1080 3D
(post-reflow AOI/3D solder joint inspection)
Packet Digital has pre- and post-AOI capabilities ensuring 100% inspection of PCBs. Pre-AOI ensures components have the correct placement and orientation prior to reflow. Post-AOI inspects components and solder joints after reflow has been completed.
Heller 1809 MK5
(9-zone reflow oven)
A reflow oven heats circuit boards using precise thermal profiles to melt pre-applied solder paste. This permanently bonds surface-mount components to the board, creating reliable electrical and mechanical connections before cooling the assembly.
A selective soldering machine is designed to solder through-hole components and other areas of a PCB selectively. While the reflow oven is typically used for surface-mount components, selective solder is used for components unsuitable for reflow soldering.
Packet Digital can produce lead and lead-free PCBAs. We can accommodate up to 250 unique part numbers (dependent on component size) on our pick-and-place machines which includes 10 tray feeder slots.
Packet Digital uses electronic design automation (EDA) software, simulation and analysis software.
The major requirement for any component is that it must meet the project and/or product requirements for the design. Decisions beyond that are usually based on a variety of factors and trade-offs including component size, component complexity, cost and feature improvements.
During verification and validation testing, designs are tested to the product requirements. A percentage of the PCBs will undergo these tests to ensure the product performs as expected and satisfy the requirements.
Additionally, all PCBs manufactured undergo a minimum set of tests before being delivered to the customer. These tests are sometimes referred to as end-of-line tests and are designed to catch any of the common or most likely errors that can occur on manufacturing and assembly lines.
Yes, Packet Digital does PCB prototyping and full PCBA production.
We start with gathering the requirements and architecture then the schematic design is created before layout and routing to the physical board Finally, PCBs undergo verification and validation testing.
Yes. Packet Digital is ISO9001 certified and working towards CMMC government compliance. Tools to manage and transfer things like design files are already in place and are compliant with these protocols.