Surface mount technology (SMT) is a method for constructing
electronic circuits in which the components are mounted directly
onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs). In the
electronics industry SMT has largely replaced the previous
construction method of fitting components with wire leads into
holes in the circuit board (also called through-hole
technology). An SMT component is usually smaller than its leaded
counterpart because it has either no leads or smaller leads. It
can have short pins, flat contacts, a matrix of balls (BGAs),
terminations on the body of the component (passives), or short
leads in a gull-wing formation (QFPs). Surface mount stencils
are far more than just sheet of metal, with apertures
replicating the PCB layout, used to deposit solder paste. They
are the single most important tool whose design and optimisation
influences the success of every surface mount assembly line.
Tecan combines its knowledge of the latest surface mount
industry requirements with its extensive manufactu