PCB assembly jobs include technicians, shipping specialists, and inspectors. Technicians place electronic components on circuit boards, shipping experts package them, and inspectors test them. Automation has replaced hand assembly, but workers still need to be trained for specific modules.
Technicians, shipping specialists and inspectors are some of the different PCB assembly jobs available in the manufacturing industry. Some workers can build physical printed circuit boards (PCBs) by hand, while others control and adjust a robotic machine to build more complicated board configurations. Most PCB assembly jobs require some electronics background, like a trade school, but employers will still need to train workers to configure the specific modules used in their industry.
One of the main positions in PCB assembly jobs is working as a technician. These workers place the electronic components on a new circuit board and run them through soldering processes to permanently adhere the PCB. The vast majority of devices consumers use, from an oven to a cell phone, have some form of PCB in their construction; technicians will interpret the circuit diagrams and build a PCB that will provide the functions the customer will use.
A complete frame must be properly packaged for distribution to other factories around the world; Shipping experts wrap these boards in static-resistant packaging to ensure the components are protected from physical damage and static electricity. These printed circuit board assembly jobs are extremely important as the boards are often discarded or recycled if damaged, which can be costly for the manufacturer. Inspectors must visually examine and test the PCB before any shipping process can begin. After the technician completes building the frame, the inspector places each part in a test rig; he or she will power the circuit and test all functions. In large mass production companies, each board cannot be tested as the volume is so vast; in response, many companies test multiple boards from each batch to ensure the quality parameters are working within specification.
Before the age of computers and automation, PCB assembly jobs required workers to form boards by hand; employees would physically place components on a circuit board and use a soldering iron to adhere each piece individually. Although some manufacturers still maintain solder plates, most production lines use automated machines controlled by employees. The worker must periodically adjust the position and timing of the machine to ensure a properly built PCB. Indeed, some workers may need troubleshooting skills to examine a malfunctioning machine; an unexpected collapse can be costly for the company.
Every employer has a slightly different way of building PCBs. While a worker may have extensive schooling under their belt, a new employee must still be trained to build a proprietary type of circuit. Once the worker is comfortable with the process of producing the particular frame, he or she can work independently.
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