Hello readers welcome to new post. Here we discuss Difference between Through Hole and SMT. PCB board the very basic component of every electronic devices that created through different processes and techniques. Normally two types of techniques are employed first one is SMT and the other one is through the hole.
These two technique has their advantages and offer different features. SMT technique is used on the surface of boards to make the different projects while through hole is used through making the holes on the boards to connect the components. Here we will discuss different parameters for these two techniques and their differences. So let get started.
Introduction to Through-Hole Technology
- Through-hole is the oldest technique to make PCB boards than the SMT.
- But in different applications, it is considered a better technique than the SMT. Previous boards came with layers just on single sides, but now on both sides.
- After inserting the pins of any circuitry component at the PCB board, drilled holes can be enhanced.
- So the negative pin has component solders at the copper board.
- Through hole technique, through which components’s pinouts are passed in the boards through the drilling process.
- Pins of components are positioned on the board through use of wave soldering and reflow soldering. This technique is known as through-hole assembly.
Introduction to SMT Technique
- The SMT technique was first introduced in the 1960s, and after that, it became common in the 1980s.
- Firstly, it was known as the planer mounting technique. It uses surface mounting packages.
- The common difference between SMT and through hole is that there is no need for drilled holes like in the through hole technique.
- There is stencil solder used to make the connection of components on the boards.
- A pic and place device is used for placing the elements at the solder paste that are positioned on the PAD.
- When the components are positioned on the board, they move to the reflow oven to solder the surface mount board assembly.
Spaces Differences
- In the case of SMT, components can be connected on both sides of boards since their components have small sizes.
- This feature of large spaces uses prominent SMT over the through hole since the through hole has a large component that uses large spaces.
Cost Differences
- Due to the creation of holes on the board, time and cost are needed that makes the through-hole expensive.
- The routing areas in any board with multiple layers are also restricted by the holes. Since it needed holes, move to all layers.
- If we observe the through-hole PCB assembly, then assembly parts cost less than the surface mount.
How to manufacture SMT and THT
- Different PCB manufacturers are working in the world that offer PCB-based services at different prices and rates.
- The most reliable and trustworthy PCB supplier is JLCPCB. JLCPCB is the best of all services that offer THT and SMT services in one place with affordable prices and features.
- To get the services of THT and SMT, send the details to JLCPCB sites; their team will contact you to get all the details for making the boards according to your requirements.
- Their engineers are waiting for you to help with the design and creation of your projects according to requirements.
- JLCPCB comes with different features, such as low prices high quality, and fast delivery. With that, they also offered the occasional discounts for their regular customers; they have special discounts, so you must attach them for better services; they will never disappoint you.
Use in Assembly Automation
- SMT can generate in large volumes with lower prices since SMT comes with features of assembly automation.
- It also has the feature of fewer charges when manufactured.
- Automated assembly has features to save time used for PCB assembly. Numerous PCB manufacturers come with machines related to SMT, so products can be created very quickly.
- This feature makes it high-speed and advanced over the through-hole technique.
- For the creation of any projects, preference is given to SMT, and ask your supplier to make the boards.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Through Holes and SMT Assembly
Through Hole Advantages
- There must be pins placed with the drilling holes. It creates firmness for the elements of the device. It can bear different environmental conditions, such as stress and high temperatures.
- PCB created through the use of the through-hole technique is best for high values of accelerations that help to use it in electrical devices such as transformers for military uses.
Disadvantages of Through Hole
- It is somewhat expensive due to the to the larger-sized elements installed on the board.
- The elements through this technique can be connected through manual processes that make it costly.
- Due to drilling, there is no chance of small-size PCB boards at less expensive prices.
SMT Advantages
- There are small components used in this technique for project creation and it has the ability to install elements on both sides. So it is less expensive than through-hole
- Smaller and lighter boards employed the SMT technique, so they have less surface area than the through-hole boards.
- The components on the boards are firmly connected, which helps to reduce their size.
- Due to the small size of components, they can be connected at high speed, which reduces the prices.
SMT Disadvantages
- Due to the connection of vias, high accuracy is needed for the SMT technique.
- This technique needed highly skilled technicians to work on it.
That is all about the difference between Through Hole and SMT. I have explained all the parameters of these two techniques in the detail. If you have any further queries, ask in the comments. Thanks for reading. Have a nice day.Read our More Engineering Blogs