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The Ultimate Guide to CCA Manufacturing

9/27/2020

1 Comment

 
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Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

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Topics Covered:
  1. What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and CCA manufacturing?
  2. What are the different components of a CCA?
  3. Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) vs. Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)
  4. What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?
  5. Can circuit cards be repaired?
Picture

What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and CCA Manufacturing?

A Circuit Card Assembly (commonly referred to as a CCA) is a flat board with connected electronic components placed on it.
CCA Manufacturing usually employs the use of machines (SMT and Through-hole) to automate the process of creating CCAs.
​
Read More: What is SMT Manufacturing?


Below is a video that quickly goes through what a CCA (sometimes called PCBA) actually is.
Real World Uses of CCA
From household items (TVs, microwaves, laptops, cell phones, smoke detector, security cameras) to industrial uses (medical imaging systems and monitors, automotive displays, power supplies, navigation systems), you can find CCAs in a many different industries.

→ Read More: What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and CCA Manufacturing?

Picture

What Are The Different Components of a CCA?

There is a myriad of different CCA designs, types, and capabilities. However, PCBAs are largely comprised of 4 basic elements.
  1. Substrate
  2. Copper
  3. Solder mask
  4. Silkscreen

Substrate
The material supporting all the electrical components together. Substrates can vary greatly depending on the type of PCBA. For example, you can have flexible, ridged, and metal core boards.
 
Copper
A thin layer of copper is laminated to the substrate of the PCBA connecting the electrical components with conductive tracks or traces. The number of copper layers depends of the type of PCBA, and can range from single-sided, double-sided, and multi-layer boards.
 
Solder Mask
Solder masks are applied as a coating to prevent corrosion, reducing the possibility of solder shorts.
 
Silkscreen
A silkscreen may be printed on circuit boards to display a legend identifying the components and test points.

→ Read More: What Are The Different Components of a CCA?

Picture

Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) vs. Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)

  • Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) or Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) both refer to the same thing: bare and assembled circuit boards.
Printed Circuit Board Assembly (​PCBA) and Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) are both more informal terms that are commonly used in the industry, however the Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) uses the term Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) instead. ​

→ Read More: Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) vs. Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA. What's the difference?

Picture

What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?

SMT stands for Surface-mount Technology, and it is comprised on 3 primary machines: Stencil Printer, Pick and Place Machine, and a Reflow Oven. All these machines work one after the other to automate printing CCAs, reducing labor costs and increasing production rates.
Picture
Stencil Printing Machine​
A stencil machine spreads solder evenly on the board through a customized stencil. After spreading the solder on the board, the machine cleans off the excess solder paste.

Automation Advantage:
  • Dual squeegee for clean application
  • Double-sided board capable
  • Print rigid & flex circuits
Picture
Pick and Place Machine​
Electronic components are placed on circuit boards by a Pick and Place (PnP) Machine. 
​
Automation Advantage:
  • Placement rate ≤ 4800 cph
  • Placement accuracy +/-0.001”
  • Improved quality with Error Recognition System
Picture
Reflow Oven Machine
​The solder material is heated up and melted in a Reflow Oven to make electro-mechanical connections with the electronic components.

​Automation Advantage:
  • 4 vertical heating zones plus cooling zone
  • 18” wide conveyor and 50” heated tunnel length
→ Read More: What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?

Picture

Can Circuit Cards be Repaired?

Circuit Cards condition can worsen depending on humidity, duration of use, and wear and tear that affect performance. Before you recycle your CCA consider the possibility of repairing the board.
​
A team of engineers will need to find out why your board is not functioning properly before you can proceed with a repair.  

Possibilities of Why Your PCBA is Failing
Is your Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) failing you? Before you throw it out, try to determine why it's failing in the first place. Depending on the cause of the failure, you may be able to salvage your CCA and have it repaired by experts.

Below are some reasons why your CCA may be having issues:
  • Physical Damage
  • Component Failure
  • Trace Damage
  • Poor Design
  • Power Failure
​
Get a Quote for Your CCA Repair
​Contact us for a quote on your CCA repair and have the help of our experienced engineers to diagnose and repair your board. 
Request a Repair Quote
→ Read More: Why is my Circuit Card (CC) failing and can they be repaired?
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now

Related Articles
Picture
What is an SMT Process/Assembly Line?
Picture
What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and CCA Manufacturing?
Picture
Can Circuit Cards Be Repaired?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 25 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can resolve problems, then you should consider CME. For more than two decades, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
1 Comment

Why is my Circuit Card Failing and Can it be repaired?

9/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture
Circuit Cards condition can worsen depending on humidity, duration of use, and wear and tear that affect performance. Before you recycle your CCA consider the possibility of repairing the board.
​
A team of engineers will need to find out why your board is not functioning properly before you can proceed with a repair.  

Possibilities of Why Your PCBA is Failing

Is your Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) failing you? Before you throw it out, try to determine why it's failing in the first place. Depending on the cause of the failure, you may be able to salvage your CCA and have it repaired by experts.

Below are some reasons why your CCA may be having issues:
  • Physical Damage
  • Component Failure
  • Trace Damage
  • Poor Design
  • Power Failure
​
You research these root causes in more depth in this article on CCA repair. 

Get a Quote for Your CCA Repair

​Contact us for a quote on your CCA repair and have the help of our experienced engineers to diagnose and repair your board. 
Request a Quote
Receive a response in 1-2 Business Days
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FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Resource Library

Resources and Links:
https://emsginc.com/resources/5-most-common-pcb-repairs/#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20they%20experience%20a,make%20them%20like%20new%20again


Related Articles
Picture
What Are The Different Components on a CCA?
Picture
Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing
Picture
What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA)?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 20 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can be a problem solver, then you should consider CME. For 22 years, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
0 Comments

What is an SMT process / Assembly line?

9/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture
SMT stands for Surface-mount Technology, and it is comprised on 3 primary machines: Stencil Printer, Pick and Place Machine, and a Reflow Oven. All these machines work one after the other to automate printing CCAs, reducing labor costs and increasing production rates.

Below is a video outlining the process.
Picture

Stencil Printing Machine

​A stencil machine spreads solder evenly on the board through a customized stencil. After spreading the solder on the board, the machine cleans off the excess solder paste.
Automation Advantage:
  • Dual squeegee for clean application
  • Double-sided board capable
  • Print rigid & flex circuits
Picture

Pick and Place Machine

​Electronic components are placed on circuit boards by a Pick and Place (PnP) Machine. 
Automation Advantage:
  • Placement rate ≤ 4800 cph
  • Placement accuracy +/-0.001”
  • Improved quality with Error Recognition System
Picture

Reflow Oven Machine

​The solder material is heated up and melted in a Reflow Oven to make electro-mechanical connections with the electronic components.
​Automation Advantage:
  • 4 vertical heating zones plus cooling zone
  • 18” wide conveyor and 50” heated tunnel length
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now

References & Links:
www.ddmnovastar.com/smt-equipment

Related Articles
Picture
Components That Make Up a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA)
Picture
Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing
Picture
What is a Circuit Card Assembly (CCA)?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 20 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can be a problem solver, then you should consider CME. For 22 years, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
0 Comments

What are the different parts of a circuit card assembly?

9/27/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture
There is a myriad of different CCA designs, types, and capabilities. However, PCBAs are largely comprised of 4 basic elements.
  1. Substrate
  2. Copper
  3. Solder mask
  4. Silkscreen

Substrate

​The material supporting all the electrical components together. Substrates can vary greatly depending on the type of PCBA. For example, you can have flexible, ridged, and metal core boards. 

Below is a video displaying the different electronic components that can be placed on a substrate.

Copper

A thin layer of copper is laminated to the substrate of the PCBA connecting the electrical components with conductive tracks or traces. The number of copper layers depends of the type of PCBA, and can range from single-sided, double-sided, and multi-layer boards.

Solder Mask

Solder masks are applied as a coating to prevent corrosion, reducing the possibility of solder shorts.

Silkscreen

A silkscreen may be printed on circuit boards to display a legend identifying the components and test points.
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Resource Library

Resources & Links:
https://www.pcbcart.com/article/content/pcb-assembly-process.htm


Related Articles
Picture
Why is My Circuit Card Failing and Can It Be Repaired? 
Picture
Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing
Picture
What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 20 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can be a problem solver, then you should consider CME. For 22 years, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
1 Comment

What is CCA and CCA Manufacturing?

9/27/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture

What is CCA and CCA Manufacturing?

A Circuit Card Assembly (commonly referred to as a CCA) is a flat board with connected electronic components placed on it.
CCA Manufacturing usually employs the use of machines (SMT and Through-hole) to automate the process of creating CCAs.
​
Read More: What is SMT Manufacturing?


Below is a video that quickly goes through what a CCA (sometimes called PCBA) actually is.

Real World Uses of CCA

From household items (TVs, microwaves, laptops, cell phones, smoke detector, security cameras) to industrial uses (medical imaging systems and monitors, automotive displays, power supplies, navigation systems), you can find CCAs in a many different industries.

CME CCA Examples

Below you can see some CCA examples created in-house at Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc.
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now

Related Articles
Picture
Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) vs Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)
Picture
Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing
Picture
What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 20 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can be a problem solver, then you should consider CME. For 22 years, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
1 Comment

CCA versus PCBA: What's The Difference?

9/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture

Is There a Difference Between CCA and PCBA?

  • Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) or Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) both refer to the same thing: bare and assembled circuit boards.
Printed Circuit Board Assembly (​PCBA) and Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) are both more informal terms that are commonly used in the industry, however the Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) uses the term Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) instead. 

CME Can Help You With Your CCA/PCBA Needs

Choose a fully integrated, turnkey facility for your CCA & PCBA needs.
  • Custom Design or Build to Print & Specification
  • ​Prototypes or High Mix to Rate Production​​
  • ​UL508A Trained Panel Shop
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Resource Library

Resources & Links:
  • http://www.58pcba.com/index.php?id=318#:~:text=PCBA%2C%20printed%20circuit%20board%20assembly,subassembly%20of%20small%20circuit%20boards
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2G393kCoG0

Related Articles
Picture
What is a Surface-mount Technology (SMT) Assembly Line?
Picture
Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing
Picture
Can a Circuit Card Be Repaired?

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has 20 years of experience in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional supplier quality to all of our customers. If you want a partner that can be a problem solver, then you should consider CME. For 22 years, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
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