Table of Contents
What is SMD?
SMD is the initial for Surface Mount Device. The main components for SMT ( Surface Mount Technology ) process. It’s common industry statement to mention about SMP ( Surface Mount Package ) , SMA ( Surface Mount Assembly ), SMC ( Surface Mount Components ), SME ( Surface Mount Equipment ).
To clarify what’s SMD / SMA / SMT / SMC / SMP / SME
SMT ( Surface Mount Technology )
The SMT stand for the ” Surface Mount Technology “. This technology is the mostly used mess production technology for modern electronic product to automatic assemble large amount of electronic component to PCB ( Printed Circuit Board ) .
SME ( Surface Mount Equipment )
The equipment for Surface Mount Technology is called Surface Mount Equipment. This is the equipment to do the Surface Mount Components to PCB. The major equivalents include:
SMP ( Surface Mount Package )
The device need a special package for Surface Mount Equipment to assembly SMC ( Surface Mount Components ) to PCB ( Printed Circuit Board ) is call SMP ( Surface Mount Package ).
▲ 常見積體電路使用的表面貼裝包裝SMP－QFN(quad flat non-leaded package) 28 pin(REF:Wikipedia)
SMC ( Surface Mount Components )
The component package for Surface Mount Technology to assembly to PCB ( Printed Circuit Board ) is call SMC ( Surface Mount Components ) . Two kind of SMC ( Surface Mount Components ) were call when the Surface Mount Components Package different electronic component inside.
SMA ( Surface Mount Assembly )
On the other hand, More then one electronic component were package is called SMA ( Surface Mount Assembly ) . Modules that includes multiple active or passive electronic component. For example, seven segment display,( multiple LED assembly as a module) blue tooth modules, and WIFI module.
SMD (Surface Mount Device)
Each electronic component can be package as SMC ( Surface Mount Components ) , different name were call depend on it’s complexity. Generally, only one electronic component was package for Surface Mount Technology is called SMD ( Surface Mount Device ) , for example, 0402 package capacitor , 0603 package LED.
SMD Size chart
This article use USB Type C connector to compare the common SMD package size in picture comparison. Not only We compare the most used two ternimal device. We also compare SMD IC Package and SMA Module package for reader. Let Reader have some basic SMD size with daily item.
0603 SMP SMD capacitor VS Type-C USB connector
1206 SMP SMD capacitor VS Type-C USB connector
SSOP24 SMP SMD IC VS Type-C USB connector
QFN28 SMP SMD IC VS Type-C USB connector
QFN28 SMP SMD IC (PT6950 From Princeton Technology Corp.) VS Type-C USB connector
0.2″ Digit height single digit 7-segment display SMA VS Type-C USB connector
0.2″ Digit height single digit 7-segment display(OPS-S2010) SMA VS Type-C USB connector
Venn diagram for SMD / SMA / SMT / SMC / SMP / SME
We try to use Venn diagram to show the relationship for this term. some of these term were misuse in many daily conversion and article. For example, call SMA as SMD or even SMC. Hope this diagram clarify these professional term.
Simple SMT Assembly process breakdown
A product use SMT ( Surface Mount Technology ) to assembly electronic component to PCB may have different name. Such as, SMT Line Stand for Surface Mount Technology Product Line. SMTA Line stand for Surface Mount Technology Assembly Line. Or even call SMA, Surface Mount Technology Assembly. You have to check SMA meaning from the paragraph. but all abbreviation mention above means a product line that use SMT ( Surface Mount Technology ) to assembly electronic component to PCB, Which have 3 main process:
- Solder paste printing process
- Use SME: Automatic solder paste screen printer
- Pick-and-place process
- Use SME: Pick-and-place machine / Mounter machine
- Reflow soldering process
- Use SME: Re-flow oven
Below is the simple diagram for SMT process, for example, we are going to SMT a 0603 packaged resistor. Firstly, we need to clean the PCB, and then use the solder paste screen printer to print the solder on the solder pad. At this moment, the solder is in cream type. Then, use the pick & place machine to assemble the resistors onto the solder paste. As the solder paste is still in cream type, the resistors will be sink and fix into the solder paste. The use re-flow oven process, due to heat the solder past can combine the resistor and PCB together. In case, there are no outside tension or high heat, the resistor & PCB won’t be separate. Then, the SMT process is completed.
Conclusion
This article is just to introduce the related technology for SMD & SMT, and do hope it can help readers to verify the difference in between simply. Opto Plus LED Corp. is the professional manufacture for SMD package 7-segment display, SMD package 16-segment display and SMD package dot matrix display.Reader can go to product and know more about SMD package datasheet. If you have any inquiry or questions related to LED display, please send your questions via sales@opledtw.com。
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