Custom Manufacturing & Engineering Inc.
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Certifications
    • News
  • Industries
    • Aerospace & Defense
    • Transportation
    • Heavy Equipment
    • Industrial Electronics
  • Services
    • Engineering
    • Manufacturing >
      • UL508A Industrial Control Panel Builder
    • Calibration & Maintenance/Repair >
      • Equipment Serviced
    • Integration & Test
  • Store
  • Products
    • Custom Cable Assemblies/Wiring Harnesses
    • Electrical Power
    • Power Distribution & Managment
    • Electronic Assemblies
    • Power Supplies
    • Special Test Equipment
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Request a Quote

INTERVIEW WITH A Mechanical Engineer I: Erin

3/4/2021

0 Comments

 

The State of the STEM Gap

Did you know: 28% of Science and Engineering workers are women, despite nearly half of the workforce being made up of women? Clearly there is a disparity between men and women in the STEM workforce, but data shows that even though the number of women entering the STEM field is increasing the gender gap is persisting.

In light of these statistics we're interviewing one of our engineers, Erin, to learn more about why she entered the engineering field and what advice she has for other woman interested in engineering. 
Picture
Erin
Mechanical Engineer I
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Why did you choose to study engineering as a career path?

With an aptitude for math and science growing up, and a role model (my dad) who always loves to point out the engineering in life, I wanted to continue my love for problem solving in the world of engineering.

After taking a preliminary mechanical design/3D software class at UF and loving it, I knew I wanted to pursue Mechanical Engineering. Engineering is embedded in so many aspects of our daily life, the opportunities of problems you can conquer through engineering are endless.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

The most exciting thing about my job is the variety of projects that I get to work on and the different subjects that I learn about along the way.

What does your typical day at work look like? ​

Every day at work is a little bit different.
Some of the broad stroke ideas of what I get to do on a day-to-day basis are things like:
  1. Creating new designs for and supporting the Business Development team
  2. Performing regular updates/maintenance on engineering documents and processes
  3. Getting to work with Custom Manufacturing & Engineering's (CME) new 3D printer
  4. Working with a collaborative team of CME's engineers to design and produce great solutions

What do you think is the future of engineering?

I think that automation or AI, whether it be kiosks, cobots, voice control, or Teslas driving on autopilot, is an area of engineering that has a growing push behind it as time goes on. Nevertheless, engineering is in everything (packaging, consumer products, air/spacecraft, environmental conservation, etc.) and there is always room for improvement.

What's it like to be a woman in the engineering field?

There is a huge sense of accomplishment that comes with making it through the rigorous course load that engineering presents. Although there is still a difference in numbers between male and female engineers, I do think the difference is slowly decreasing. Even with completing a degree the majority of which is occupied by men, we are all working toward a common goal and learn a lot from each other along the way. Being one of two female engineers at CME, the team has really taken me in and helped me to assimilate and become a part of their engineering community.

What would you say to other women considering entering the engineering field?

For women pursuing engineering I’d say don’t be intimidated by numbers differences between men and women, because when it comes down to it it’s not about those numbers. If you have the skills or the drive and determination to pursue engineering than absolutely do that. It’s an incredibly diverse field, in more ways than just between men and women, and everyone has something that they can contribute.
For women pursuing engineering I’d say don’t be intimidated by numbers differences between men and women, because when it comes down to it it’s not about those numbers.

Sources:
​National Science Board, 2018. Science and Engineering Indicators 2018. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB-2018-1). https://ngcproject.org/sites/default/files/ngcp_the_state_of_girls_and_women_in_stem_2018a.pdf
2019. Steady Rise for Women in STEM but Gender Gap Remains. https://www.statista.com/chart/16970/women-stem/

Related Articles
Picture
Interview with an Engineering Intern: Sara
Picture
Am I Working with a Quality Supplier?
Picture
The #1 Reason You Should Do an Internship

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

Interview with an engineering intern: Sara

3/2/2021

0 Comments

 

State of the STEM Gap

Did you know: 28% of Science and Engineering workers are women, despite nearly half of the workforce being made up of women? Clearly there is a disparity between men and women in the STEM workforce, but data shows that even though the number of women entering the STEM field is increasing the gender gap persists.

In light of these statistics we're interviewing one of our engineers, Sara, to learn more about why she entered the engineering field and what advice she has for other woman interested in engineering. ​
Picture
Sara
Industrial Manufacturing Intern

Mechanical Engineering - concentration in Aerospace Engineering & Space Systems

Why did you choose to study engineering as a career path?

I chose to study engineering because I love math and I have always had a deep passion for the aerospace and space industry. I knew that I wanted a career where I could really focus on my passions and engineering turned out to be the best option for me.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

The thing I love most about my job is the hands-on experience. I love understanding the design and build process of everything around me, and at Custom Manufacturing & Engineering (CME) I have really had the chance to see that in much more detail.

What does your typical day at work look like? ​

A typical day consists of analyzing drawings and working directly with production employees to find the most efficient way to build a product. Then I document the process by writing up work instructions that can be used by the production employees to build the products.

What do you think is the future of engineering?

Engineering is all about designing products and coming up with new ideas to improve the world around us.  Engineering changes drastically based on current demands. With that being said, I think the future of engineering is headed towards innovative ideas in the automotive, aerospace, and space industry to reduce waste and protect environmental resources.

What's it like to be a woman in the engineering field?

Being a women in engineering can be weird at first. There will be many times where you walk into a classroom to discover you are the only women there. But regardless of your gender, every engineer knows the hard work and discipline it takes to be in the field, so they will acknowledge and respect your dedication whether you are a minority or not.

What would you say to other women considering entering the engineering field?

The engineering field is full of amazing opportunities. Engineers are always in demand and are needed just about everywhere. Not to mention, being an engineer never gets boring; you are always working on new, innovative projects. If you have a passion for designing and building new things, or just understanding the world around you, you should highly consider becoming an engineer.  ​

Sources:
National Science Board, 2018. Science and Engineering Indicators 2018. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB-2018-1). https://ngcproject.org/sites/default/files/ngcp_the_state_of_girls_and_women_in_stem_2018a.pdf
2019, Steady Rise for Women in STEM but Gender Gap Remains.  https://www.statista.com/chart/16970/women-stem/


Related Articles
Picture
Interview with a Mechanical Engineer I: Erin
Picture
Are You Working with a Quality Supplier?
Picture
The #1 Reason to do an Internship

Picture
Contact Us | Store | Request a Quote
CME has over two decades 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 nearly a quarter of a century, CME has been improving and adapting to the challenges of customer needs for consistent, quality solutions.
0 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to CCA Manufacturing

9/27/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture

FREE DOWNLOAD

Everything You Need to Know About CCA Manufacturing

Access Now
Picture
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
Picture

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