--- title: Contract and Circuit Board Manufacturing Blog | Zentech | surface mount technology description: surface mount technology | Zentech Manufacturing, Inc. is a privately held, engineering-driven contract manufacturer specializing in the design and manufacture of highly-complex electronic and RF circuit cards and assemblies. --- - [Contact Us](https://www.zentech.com/contact) (443) 348-4500 - [Customer Login](http://207.87.225.180/portal/) - [Blog](https://info.zentech.com/blog) - [News](https://www.zentech.com/news/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ZentechManufacturing/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/zentechman) MENU [![Zentech Manufacturing, Inc](https://info.zentech.com/hubfs/Zentech_May2018/images/zentech-logo.png)](https://www.zentech.com) X - [Blog](https://info.zentech.com/blog) - [News](https://www.zentech.com/news/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ZentechManufacturing/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/zentechman) - [Contact Us](https://www.zentech.com/contact) (443) 348-4500 - [Customer Login](http://207.87.225.180/portal/) ![Banner Image](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Zentech_May2018/images/top-page-banner.jpg?width=2000&height=176&name=top-page-banner.jpg) ## [How Surface Mounting Technology Builds Better Products](https://info.zentech.com/blog/-temporary-slug-5a824179-e09e-40e7-b8cd-ce9ae2427267) Posted by [Matthew Turpin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/matthew-turpin) on Thu, Aug 13, 2015 @ 06:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/hub/165279/file-2271735405.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/-temporary-slug-5a824179-e09e-40e7-b8cd-ce9ae2427267) Surface Mounting Technologies have revolutionized modern manufacturing, and every year, businesses are discovering all the benefits it can bring to their products. Unlike older "[through hole](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/341337/Beneath-the-Surface-Understanding-the-Assembly-of-PC-Boards)" circuit board design, SMT allows for components to be directly mounted on the surface of the board.  There's no need to have wires directly connecting the top and bottom sides.  This brings a wide variety of new options to circuit design and printing, with very few disadvantages. [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/-temporary-slug-5a824179-e09e-40e7-b8cd-ce9ae2427267) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/-temporary-slug-5a824179-e09e-40e7-b8cd-ce9ae2427267#comments-listing) Topics: [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [through hole technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/through-hole-technology) ## [What Is The Difference Between SMT and Through Hole Technology?](https://info.zentech.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-smt-and-through-hole-technology) Posted by [Matthew Turpin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/matthew-turpin) on Thu, Feb 05, 2015 @ 06:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/file-18276837-jpg/images/contract_electronic_manufacturing_services.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-smt-and-through-hole-technology) Surface mounted technology (SMT) has grown in popularity over the past few years and has widely replaced through-hole technology. But why is SMT so preferable to through-hole mounting, and can through-hole still be relevant in certain applications? By taking a few moment's to learn about both methods, you'll gain a thorough [understanding of the unique characteristics of the two](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/246390/The-Difference-Between-Through-Hole-And-Surface-Mounted-Technology), the key differences between them, and what it is that makes SMT the preferred option. [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-smt-and-through-hole-technology) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-smt-and-through-hole-technology#comments-listing) Topics: [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [through hole mounting](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/through-hole-mounting) ## [Surface Mount Technology Creates Better Electronics Faster!](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/359248/Surface-Mount-Technology-Creates-Better-Electronics-Faster) Posted by [Matthew Turpin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/matthew-turpin) on Tue, Dec 23, 2014 @ 08:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/file-2607956990-jpg/images/sm-technology.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/359248/Surface-Mount-Technology-Creates-Better-Electronics-Faster) If your electronics assembly shop isn't using Surface Mount Technologies (SMT) in their processes, you're potentially losing out in numerous ways.  While [SMT production](http://www.zentech.com/pCb-assembly.php) isn't a magic bullet, in most cases it creates smaller and more affordable products. [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/359248/Surface-Mount-Technology-Creates-Better-Electronics-Faster) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/359248/Surface-Mount-Technology-Creates-Better-Electronics-Faster#comments-listing) Topics: [smt production](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/smt-production), [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [assembly pcb](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/assembly-pcb) ## [Using Stencils in SMT Production](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/356195/Using-Stencils-in-SMT-Production) Posted by [Matthew Turpin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/matthew-turpin) on Thu, Oct 09, 2014 @ 07:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/file-1807877612-jpg/images/smt-production4.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/356195/Using-Stencils-in-SMT-Production) We all know what a stencil is, in the traditional sense. Children often make use of plastic stencil sheets in order to practice drawing shapes, while sign makers and other professionals are able to utilize them to create perfect letters. Here in the world of designing and manufacturing PCBs, though, we rely on laser cut SMT stencils. Although not too far off from the regularly recognized units, these laser cut [SMT stencils are much more complex and simplify the process of PCB assembly](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/356026/Through-Hole-And-Surface-Mounted-Technology-What-is-the-Difference) by making it easier to apply solder paste to the board. This post will cover everything that you need to know about laser cut SMT stencils. ### Uses Throughout the [electronics manufacturing process](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/353220/Picking-An-Electronics-Design-Manufacturer-Who-ll-Bring-You-Great-Returns), a stencil may need to be used for a couple of purposes. First and foremost, stencils are a true life-saver when producing a board that relies on surface mount technology (SMT). Another instance when stencils are useful involves the use of automated component placement equipment (with the exception of hand-loaded prototypes. Why? Because it acts as an alternative to the requirement of hand soldering every single component.  [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/356195/Using-Stencils-in-SMT-Production) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/356195/Using-Stencils-in-SMT-Production#comments-listing) Topics: [smt production](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/smt-production), [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [assembly pcb](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/assembly-pcb) ## [Surface Mounted Technology Makes Manufacturing Processes Smooth](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/323843/Surface-Mounted-Technology-Makes-Manufacturing-Processes-Smooth) Posted by [Matthew Turpin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/matthew-turpin) on Wed, Nov 06, 2013 @ 07:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/file-371786181-jpg/images/surface-mounted-technology1.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/323843/Surface-Mounted-Technology-Makes-Manufacturing-Processes-Smooth) Although still a relatively newer concept, surface mounted technology (SMT) is quickly becoming the "go-to" method for mounting components to a printed circuit board (PCB). Are you familiar with SMT processes? Many electronics companies are comfortable with the tried-and-true through-hole mounting process, but SMT can [make things a lot simpler and more efficient](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/246390/The-Difference-Between-Through-Hole-And-Surface-Mounted-Technology). To prove this point, here's a look at what surface mounted technology actually is, and when it can be used to make processes smoother for your business.  [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/323843/Surface-Mounted-Technology-Makes-Manufacturing-Processes-Smooth) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/323843/Surface-Mounted-Technology-Makes-Manufacturing-Processes-Smooth#comments-listing) Topics: [smt production](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/smt-production), [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [surface mounted technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mounted-technology) ## [SMT Production: Know The Basics Before You Start](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/276562/SMT-Production-Know-The-Basics-Before-You-Start) Posted by [Laura Austin](https://info.zentech.com/blog/author/laura-austin) on Tue, Jun 04, 2013 @ 07:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.zentech.com/hs-fs/file-24219288-jpg/images/smt-manufacturing.jpg) ](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/276562/SMT-Production-Know-The-Basics-Before-You-Start) There are different approaches to mounting components onto a printed circuit board with each method having its own strengths and weaknesses. This brings up the need of understanding what a given circuit is expected to do hence going for an approach that will bring the best in terms or performance and durability out your circuit. [Read More](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/276562/SMT-Production-Know-The-Basics-Before-You-Start) 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.zentech.com/blog/bid/276562/SMT-Production-Know-The-Basics-Before-You-Start#comments-listing) Topics: [surface mount technology](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/surface-mount-technology), [SMT Assembly](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/smt-assembly), [smt manufacturing](https://info.zentech.com/blog/topic/smt-manufacturing) [All posts](https://info.zentech.com/blog/all) ### Archives - [February 2024 (1)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2024/02) - [January 2024 (1)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2024/01) - [December 2023 (1)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2023/12) - [November 2023 (2)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2023/11) - [August 2023 (2)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2023/08) - [July 2023 (1)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2023/07) - [June 2023 (2)](https://info.zentech.com/blog/archive/2023/06) - 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