Which is better for you: through-hole mounting or surface-mount technology?

You can see a big difference between through-hole mounting and surface-mount technology. Through-hole mounting needs parts to go through holes in the PCB. Surface-mount technology puts parts right on the board.

Hongrong PCBA uses both ways to help you pick the best choice for your electronics project.

Key Takeaways

• Through-hole mounting makes strong connections. It works well for tough jobs like military and aerospace.
• Surface-mount technology uses smaller and lighter parts. This helps make designs smaller and saves money when making many items.
• Pick the mounting method that fits your project. Use through-hole if you need it to last long. Use surface-mount if you want it to be fast and save space.

Key Differences

Overview

There are distinct differences between through-hole mounting and surface mount technology. These two technologies utilize different methods for mounting electronic components to printed circuit boards. In through-hole mounting, component leads are inserted through pre-drilled holes in the PCB and soldered on the other side. In surface mount technology, component leads are placed directly onto pads on the PCB surface and soldered.The table below shows the main differences:

Surface mount technology improves board space utilization and assembly density. Through-hole mounting technology provides a more secure connection between layers. Choosing through-hole mounting technology is particularly important in applications that are subject to external forces or operate in harsh environments.

Why It Matters

Why It'sChoosing the right component mounting method is crucial for both project cost and operational performance.If you need a secure bond for powerful devices or military equipment, through-hole mounting is the best option. If you require a small design and high-volume production, surface mount technology can save time and money.

• Through-hole mounting is tough and strong for hard jobs.
• Surface-mount technology lets you fit more parts and get better results in small gadgets.
• SMT parts are lighter and smaller, so you save space and money.

Tip: When you design your PCB, think about what your project needs. Picking the right way helps your product last longer and work better.

Through-hole Mounting

What Is Through-hole Mounting

Through-hole mounting means you put electronic parts on a printed circuit board by pushing their leads through drilled holes. People use both hands and machines for this job. The steps follow IPC rules and happen in order:

This way is common when projects need strong and safe connections.

Advantages

Through-hole mounting gives great mechanical strength. The leads hold parts tightly to the board. This makes the connection last a long time. It works well in places with lots of shaking or heat. You can trust it for things that face strong vibrations or high temperatures. The solder joints help products handle shocks and heat. You see this method in aerospace, cars, and factories where reliability is very important.

Note: Through-hole mounting is good for high power and stress. It works best for parts that deal with big currents and voltages.

Disadvantages

Through-hole mounting has its challenges. It requires manual labor, which takes more time. Furthermore, drilling holes requires more material costs. Therefore, this mounting method is not suitable for rapid production of large quantities of products. Furthermore, it can't fit as many components on a circuit board, resulting in limited design flexibility

• Manual work takes longer.
• Bigger parts and drilling cost more.
• Production is slower than surface-mount technology.
• Fewer parts fit, so designs are less compact.

Typical Uses

Through-hole mounting is used in places where things need to be tough and reliable:

• Automotive: Power parts like relays and big capacitors.
• Military: Devices made for quick movements and high heat.
• Industrial: Machines that face shaking and temperature changes.

Through-hole parts stick to the PCB well, so they are stronger and can handle more stress than surface-mount parts.

Surface-mount Technology

What Is Surface-mount Technology

Surface-mount technology lets you put parts right on the board. You do not need to make holes for each part. Machines place and solder the parts very fast. Here is how SMT assembly works:

1. Solder paste printing: You spread solder paste on the board with a stencil.
2. Pick-and-place: Machines put parts onto the pasted spots.
3. Reflow soldering: The board goes in an oven to melt the paste and hold the parts.
4. Inspection: You check the board for any problems.

This way helps you build electronics quickly and accurately.

Advantages

SMT gives you many good things.

• You save space because parts sit on the board.
• You can use both sides of the PCB, so more parts fit.
• Machines do most of the work, so you save money and time.
• SMT parts are small and light, so your devices are easy to carry.
• Short leads help signals move faster and lower noise.

Tip: SMT lets you make lots of good products for less money.

Disadvantages

SMT has some problems.

It is also hard to change or upgrade parts, since most SMT parts cannot use sockets.

Typical Uses

SMT is used in many places because it helps make lots of products fast.

• Automotive: Used in car screens and electric cars.
• Medical: Found in things like blood testers and x-ray machines.
• Communication: Needed for phones, tablets, and other small gadgets.

Today, SMT is used in most electronics. You count on it for quick, strong, and small products.

Comparison

Pros and Cons

You should look at the good and bad sides of each way before you pick one. The table below shows how they are different:

Tip: Pick THT if you want strong and lasting parts. Pick SMT if you want to make many boards quickly and cheaply.

Cost and Assembly

There are big changes in price and speed between these two ways. SMT uses machines to put and solder parts, so it is much faster and cheaper for big orders. You can make up to 10,000 boards a day with SMT. THT can only make about 100 to 500 boards a day because people do most of the work.

SMT costs more at first because you need special machines. But you save money on each board when you make a lot. THT is cheaper to start since you just need simple tools. But you pay more for work and supplies for every board. How much you pay for work also depends on how skilled your workers are and how hard your design is.

Note: SMT is better for big projects because it is faster and costs less. THT is better for small projects or test boards if you want to save money at the start.

Application Scenarios

You should pick the way that fits your project best. Here are some common uses for each:

• Through-Hole Technology (THT):
  • Good for old and big parts.
  • Used in things that must work all the time, like military, space, and factory machines.
  • Handles lots of power and shaking, like in car relays or power boxes.
• Surface-Mount Technology (SMT):
  • Best for small, packed electronics like phones, tablets, and smartwatches.
  • Used in new gadgets, medical tools, and things that help people talk.
  • Great for making lots of boards with machines.

Remember: Use THT if you need strong and steady parts. Use SMT if you want fast, small, and cheap electronics.

Choosing the Right Method

Project Needs

First, think about what your project really needs. Look at how big it should be, how much it can cost, and how strong it must be. Also, decide how many you want to make. Here is a table that shows how the two ways are different:

If you want to make small things fast with machines, use surface-mount technology. If you need strong parts or big, heavy pieces, use through-hole mounting. Through-hole mounting is better for small amounts. Surface-mount technology is better for making many at once and saves money.

Tip: Pick the way that fits your project’s size, speed, and how strong it needs to be.

Industry Examples

Different jobs use different ways to put parts on boards. Here are some real-life examples:

You see SMT in things like phones and tablets. You find THT in machines for factories and in military gear.

Hongrong PCBA Support

Hongrong PCBA helps you pick the best way for your project. They give advice about design, building, and testing. Their team knows both through-hole and surface-mount technology. You can get help for test boards, big orders, or special needs.

Hongrong PCBA helps you from the start to the end. They make sure your electronics work well and follow the rules.

• Through-hole mounting makes parts stick well to the board. But you cannot fit many parts, and it costs more money.
• Surface-mount technology uses smaller and lighter parts. It helps you spend less to make things.
• Think about how big your board is. Also, check how many parts you need and how heat moves in your project.
  If you want help, ask Hongrong PCBA. They can help you build your board the right way.

FAQ

What is the main reason to choose through-hole mounting?

You want strong connections for parts that face stress or heat. Through-hole mounting gives you reliable performance in tough environments.

Tip: Use through-hole for military or industrial projects.

Can you mix through-hole and surface-mount parts on one PCB?

You can combine both methods on a single board. This approach lets you balance strength and space for your design.

Does surface-mount technology always cost less?

Surface-mount technology saves you money for large production runs. Small batches may cost more because you need special machines.