We focus on delivering the highest levels of quality, along with rapid responsiveness and clear communication. We combine this approach with our 2-Second Lean manufacturing principles to bring your products to market — better, faster and smarter.
We’ll help take your product from small volume / sample builds to the volume the market demands. New Product Introduction is what we do – be that a brand new product or a product new to us or our manufacturing. We have the experience in manufacturing and the agile mindset and approach, and we can certainly deliver what you need.
Quick-Turn Prototypes
Conformal Coating
When electronics must withstand harsh environments and/or added protection is necessary, we will coat your assemblies with a layer of transparent conformal coating. The type of conformal coating we apply will be dictated by the intended ultimate environment the assemblies will be exposed to. We also have potting available as an option.
Wave Soldering
We use a mix of wave soldering and hand soldering when dealing with thru’hole components. In instances where components cannot handle the heat of a wave soldering system, we will use hand soldering. With wave soldering, a complete board can be soldered in a matter of seconds, producing joints that are reliable both mechanically and electrically. Where SMT assembly is the predominant technology, we rarely use wave soldering and rely almost exclusively on the contactless benefit of reflow soldering.
Thru’ Hole Component Placement
More than Prototypes
Our experience working on New Product Introduction has taught us the importance of a dedicated product launch team. When a new product is in the early planning stages, workers representing all the major areas of the factory are brought together and, as a team, they help in conjunction with you to plan the launch of manufacturing of your product. All work hard to ensure the development of control plans, training requirements, test protocols etc., and of course the initial standardized work to be used when the product is first launched. The standardized process is then turned over to the production teams to improve.
Potting
Potting is a process we often use and consists of filling a complete electronic assembly with a solid or gelatinous compound to provide resistance against shock and vibration, as well as water proofing / exclusion of corrosive agents if necessary. We have used a variety of thermosetting plastics, silicone rubber gels and epoxy resins. A downside is the increase in weight of the product, but depending on the application this may not be significant. Like conformal coating, the requirement or otherwise for potting will be determined by the environment in which the electronic assembly will operate.
PCB Cleaning
When cleaning PCB assemblies, the goal is to remove resin and flux residues from populated boards as well as any production-related residues created by handling. For most applications, the use of “no-clean” solders and fluxes works well and no cleaning process steps are required. Some assemblies however, particularly those that will find applications in industries such as automotive, military and aerospace, often require the use of PCB cleaning. We can offer various options in regard to cleaning agents if required.
Cable Assembly
As part of our full turnkey solution, we can offer both cable design and manufacturing services. As a key aim of our Turnkey service, we can provide our customers with a complete custom cable solution. We will review product interconnection needs, discuss with you our proposed connectivity solutions, develop the necessary design and manufacturing documentation and manufacture within the same controlled environment in which we complete all of our manufacturing service.
PCB assembly - 0201 to µBGA
CW Applied Technology offers leadership and experience in advanced PCB Assembly technology, with tried and tested processes and a full range of services. Our clients vary from household names to start-ups, and everything in between. We provide Printed Circuit Board Assembly services in our facility in Shannon, Ireland. Our PCBA and surface mount (SMT) capabilities include:
- Placement of 0201 components, fine pitch and high count BGAs, connectors, inductors & transformers, active and passive components etc. Thru’ hole component placement.
- Wave & manual soldering, double and single sided reflow.
- Quick turn prototype assembly, RoHS compliance certification, conformal coating, potting.
- Inspection and testing using AOI.
- Comprehensive electrical testing and test system development, functional test and burn in test as required.
Automated Optical Inspection
We put all of our electronic assemblies through Automated Optical Inspection (AOI). Automated optical inspection is an automated visual inspection of printed circuit board manufacture, where a camera autonomously scans the device under test for (1) confirmation of correct assembly, (2) identifying potential catastrophic failure and (3) quality defects. It is a non-contact test method. We use it as part of our one piece flow manufacturing system, and it ensures early detection of issues; allowing for timely corrective / preventive action and preventing transfer of any quality issue from one process to the next.