Assembly and cabling

OVERVIEW

The assembly of components (SMD and through-hole) on printed circuit boards and hybrids is the activity of the TS-DEM-WS service. Also cables and crates are made and wired. The in-house service is optimised for prototype quantities and is able to organise the outsourcing of productions.

The facility can also quickly (often within 30 minutes) change components or repair cables; a service highly appreciated by physicists preparing for the test-beam.

In-house capabilities

  • mounting of through-hole components
  • mounting of surface mount devices (SMD)
    • PLCC, SOIC
    • BGA, fineline BGA downto 0.8 mm pitch
    • resistors and capacitors downto 0201 size
  • replacing of components, including BGA
  • replacing of light radioactive components
  • organisation of wire-bonding of chips and detectors
  • production of cables (coax, flatcables, twisted pair...)
  • prototyping of crates
  • 30-minute express service for small interventions
  • cleaning of soldered boards (don't underestimate the need for this)
  • leaded and lead-free solder capabilities
  • QA using IPC-A-610 "Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies". Class 2 and 3.


Automatic solder paste dispenser

Outsourcing capabilities

  • medium size productions with any type of components
  • BGA, fineline BGA downto 0.5 mm pitch with X-ray checking
  • outsourcing to several local companies and other industries in Europe

Advice

  • Component selection
    • connectors and cables
    • passive components (sizes and types)
  • Crate prototyping
    • selection of crates, panels
  • Assembly
    • Design For Manufacturing
    • Design For Test
    • leadfree soldering techniques and RoHS regulation
    • Cleaning of PCBs (flux, handling)
    • Audit of assembly companies
  


integration mechanics/electronics
 


mounting of SMD components
 


cabling  of crates and switchboards


fabrication of cables

How to use the assembly and cabling service

When the DEM-BE design office has drawn your board or hybrid you will automatically use this service. In case you have made your own board, you first should see the section leader of the DEM-WS section (Betty Magnin). We provide the components that are available from the CERN Stores and SMD resistors and capacitors (1206, 0805, 0603 size). You only have to bring your own ICs and other special components. In some cases the design office DEM-BE will need to make files that are needed for the production (solder mask, colour plots of assembly).

For the bonding of chips or detectors, we collaborate with the PH bonding lab to guarante a coordination between the different assembly and cleaning steps.

For prototype assembly outside CERN, we have negotiated contracts with several companies. Those contracts are based on a large volume and have followed the official CERN/SPL tendering procedures. Please contact Betty Magnin to get details on how to make use of those contracts. 

For rework on PCBs, such as replacing connectors or components (including BGAs) you can go directly to the workshop located in building 1/1-015) or call them before on 72694. In most cases you can have your board back within half an hour!

As the DEM-WS section has a large knowledge of components such as connectors and small mechanics, they can also help you with the selection for your circuit, even before you start making your schematics. Concerns like price and manufacturability can all be taken into account.

Next steps

After your design is assembled, it is up to you to test it. We wish you good luck with this. If it happens that you find any layout, manufacturing or assembly problem, please let us know. We'll do our best to correct it as soon as possible.

DOCUMENTATION

  BGA inspection

CONTACTS

Other cabling support