First Choice Assembly provides high-precision Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly services for businesses across the UK and Ireland. Using advanced SMT machines and a tightly controlled reflow soldering process, we deliver reliable SMT builds from prototype through to full production.
Whether you require high-density boards, LED SMD PCB production, or double-sided PCB reflow, our experienced team ensures every assembly is completed accurately, efficiently, and to recognised industry standards.
Book a Free Consultation
What is Surface Mount Technology (SMT)?
Surface mount technology (SMT) is a method of electronic assembly where components are mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board rather than inserted through holes. This modern approach to component mounting on PCB allows for smaller board sizes, greater component density and faster automated production.
The surface mount technology process relies on precision placement equipment and controlled soldering methods. Instead of traditional through-hole leads, surface mount technology components are positioned onto solder paste and secured during a controlled heating cycle. This method of surface mount device soldering improves reliability, repeatability and production speed.
Unlike traditional methods, through hole and surface mount technology can also be combined on hybrid assemblies. SMT is now the dominant form of mount technology in modern electronics, supporting everything from industrial systems to LED SMD PCB applications.
Why Choose Our Surface Mount Technology Assembly?
Advanced Surface Mount Technology Equipment
Our facility is equipped with the latest SMT machines, designed for speed, accuracy, and repeatability. With automated pick-and-place systems and controlled reflow ovens, we ensure precise component mounting on PCB assemblies, including fine-pitch devices and miniature packages such as 0603 SMD LED components. This automation ensures consistent quality across both prototype and production builds.
Prototype to High-Volume SMT Production
Whether you need a small batch for testing or a scalable solution for high-volume production, our SMT assembly service is adaptable to your requirements. We support everything from initial design validation to regular production. Our flexible SMT lines ensure efficient changeovers, stable processes, and dependable lead times at every stage.
Controlled Reflow Soldering Process
The reliability of any SMT build depends on the controlled reflow soldering process. Our PCB reflow process is carefully temperature profiled and monitored to ensure strong, consistent solder joints. We support both single-sided and double-sided PCB reflow, maintaining joint integrity and alignment accuracy throughout the process.
Flexible Assembly Options
We provide complete turnkey surface mount technology assembly or can work with customer-supplied components. If required, we manage procurement through trusted suppliers, ensuring traceability and authenticity. For hybrid builds, we also support through hole and surface mount technology within the same assembly, including flow soldering where necessary.
Experienced SMT Engineers and Technicians
Our team combines practical manufacturing expertise with a strong understanding of surface mount technology soldering and modern electronics production. From reviewing your design files to final inspection, we maintain close communication throughout your project to ensure accuracy, efficiency and long-term reliability.
See our other Services
Interested in our surface mount assembly services?
Get in touch with our team and we can supply a detailed quote for your project requirements.
Contact
The Surface Mount Technology Process
We follow a structured SMT process to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistent results:
Design for Manufacture Review
We begin by reviewing your Gerber files, BOM, and placement data to verify footprint compatibility and manufacturability. This reduces risk and improves assembly efficiency before production begins.
Solder Paste Application
Solder paste is applied using precision stencil printing. Accurate paste deposition ensures each pad receives the correct volume prior to reflow.
Automated Component Mounting
Using advanced pick-and-place machines, we mount components onto their corresponding pads. Our equipment handles a wide range of SMT components, including miniature packages such as 0603 SMD LED devices and fine-pitch ICs.
Surface Mount Reflow
After component placement, the board undergoes controlled reflow soldering, where solder paste melts and solidifies, securing the SMD components to the board.
Inspection and Testing
Following reflow, every assembly undergoes rigorous quality control, which may include:
Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
X-ray inspection (when required)
Visual verification
Functional testing
Single and Double-Sided PCB Assembly
We provide both single and double-sided PCB reflow assembly services, supporting compact board designs and high-density component layouts. Our reflow soldering techniques ensure precise and reliable connections, even in space-constrained designs, making them ideal for high-performance applications.
Hybrid SMT and THT Assembly
Where required, we combine through hole and surface mount technology on the same board. Through-hole components can be secured using flow soldering techniques alongside SMT processes, providing flexibility for mixed-technology builds.
Our SMT Assembly Capabilities
Fine Pitch and High-Density Placement
Our SMT equipment handles advanced packages including:
QFNs, BGAs, Micro components, and 0603 SMD LED devices
High-accuracy placement ensures dependable performance even in space-constrained designs.
Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and Quality Control
To ensure the highest standards of precision and reliability, we employ Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) throughout the assembly process. Our advanced AOI systems detect any potential defects or misalignments, ensuring that every board meets your quality specifications before moving to the next stage of production.
LED SMD PCB Assembly
We specialise in LED SMD PCB production, including surface mount device LED integration for lighting, automotive and display applications. Our controlled process ensures reliable solder joints when you solder surface mount LED components, supporting long-term durability and thermal stability.
Prototyping and Low-Volume Production
In addition to high-volume production runs, we also offer rapid prototyping and low-volume assembly services. This flexibility allows you to test designs quickly and cost-effectively, with the ability to scale up to mass production as needed.
Industries Using Surface Mount Technology
Our surface mount technology services support a wide range of sectors:
Industrial automation and control systems
Automotive electronics
Medical and laboratory equipment
LED lighting systems and LED SMD PCB builds
Consumer electronics
IoT and smart devices
Each industry demands precision, repeatability and reliability, all of which are central to our SMT assembly approach.
Applications of Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
SMT is widely used across industries that demand high-performance, reliability, and compact designs. Some of the industries that benefit from SMT include:
Industrial Automation
Automotive Electronics
Medical and Laboratory Equipment
LED Lighting Systems
Consumer Electronics
IoT and Smart Devices
-
![]()
Automotive Electronics
Engine control units (ECUs), battery management systems, infotainment solutions.
-
![]()
Medical Devices
High-precision PCBs for diagnostic and monitoring systems.
-
![]()
Consumer Electronics
Wearable tech, smart home devices, and IoT solutions.
-
![]()
Industrial Automation
Robotics, control systems, and sensor technology.
-
![]()
Aerospace & Defence
Reliable PCBs for mission-critical applications.
Key Benefits of Surface Mount Technology Assembly
1. Higher Component Density
SMT enables a greater density of components, allowing more components to be placed on smaller boards. This higher efficiency is made possible because SMT does not require holes, which are typically used in Through-Hole Technology. This advantage leads to smaller, lighter, and more powerful devices.
2. Cost Savings
One of the greatest benefits of SMT is the cost savings throughout the manufacturing process, especially when compared to Through-Hole Assembly. These cost savings include:
Lower initial setup costs
Faster automated assembly, reducing production time
Reduced labor costs
Uniform soldering, leading to fewer errors
Lower part costs compared to through-hole components
3. Faster Automated Assembly
SMT uses automated pick-and-place systems, which speed up the assembly process, making it more efficient than traditional through-hole methods. This automated speed helps reduce costs and production time while increasing reliability.
4. Scalable Production Volumes
The SMT process can be scaled from small prototypes to high-volume manufacturing, making it suitable for various production needs. Our flexible SMT lines allow us to easily adjust for large runs or smaller batches, providing the scalability required for both testing and full-scale production.
From Concept to Completion
From initial design review through to final surface mount reflow and inspection, we support your project at every stage. Our team collaborates closely with your engineers to ensure the surface mount technology process is optimised for manufacturability, efficiency and reliability. We manage sourcing, prototyping and production in-house, maintaining control and consistency throughout.
With rigorous inspection procedures and lifetime assurance against manufacturing defects, we provide surface mount device soldering that meets recognised industry standards and performs reliably in real-world applications.
Enquire Now about SMT
Why Choose First Choice Assembly for Surface Mount Technology?
At First Choice Assembly, we combine cutting-edge technology with 30+ years of experience in PCB assembly. Our commitment to quality is backed by our ISO9001:2015 quality management system, and we adhere to industry standards such as IPC-A-610 for SMT assembly.
We offer a turnkey service, managing everything from component procurement to final assembly and testing, ensuring consistent, high-quality results. Whether you're looking for a prototype run or high-volume production, we provide flexible solutions that meet your exact specifications and deadlines.
Full Turnkey SMT Solutions
First Choice Assembly offers complete turnkey surface mount technology assembly services, managing everything from component procurement to final PCB reflow and dispatch. Our streamlined processes ensure efficiency, traceability and dependable lead times for every project.
Ensuring Quality in Surface Mount Technology Assembly
Quality is fundamental in the surface mount technology process. We work to IPC standards that define best practice for surface mount technology soldering, cleanliness, placement accuracy and inspection criteria. This ensures every board meets strict performance expectations.
Process controls are applied at every stage, from incoming component verification to controlled reflow soldering and final functional testing. Our BSI ISO9001:2015 quality management system provides full traceability, giving clients complete confidence in both the assembly and the process behind it.
Check our Certificates
Bespoke Design In-House
First Choice Assembly’s expert team provides custom PCB designs tailored to unique project specifications, bringing flexibility and precision to every build.
Lifetime Assurance
Our commitment to value is backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Underscoring our commitment to quality and providing long-term reliability for all manufactured products.
SMT Frequently Asked Questions
-
Surface mount technology assembly is a method of mounting electronic components directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board. Unlike traditional through-hole assembly, SMT allows for smaller components, higher density layouts and faster automated production using precision placement machines and a controlled reflow soldering process.
-
To provide an accurate quotation, we typically require your Gerber files, bill of materials, pick-and-place data and any special assembly instructions. If the project includes surface mount device components or mixed technology, this should also be specified to ensure correct process planning.
-
The reflow soldering process involves heating solder paste applied to the PCB until it melts and forms secure electrical connections between components and pads. The PCB reflow process is carefully temperature controlled to ensure reliable surface mount device soldering and long-term performance.
-
Yes. We regularly perform double sided PCB reflow for assemblies that require components mounted on both sides of the board. Our controlled surface mount reflow process ensures alignment accuracy and solder joint integrity throughout production.
-
Our surface mount technology machines can place a wide range of component sizes, including fine-pitch devices and miniature packages such as 0201 SMD components. We support high-density layouts and complex surface mount technology components.
A charge will also be made for a frameless solder stencil circa £150.00 if the PCB is surface mount. This is to enable solder paste to be screen printed onto the PCB to allow for assembly of the component onto it. The solder stencil is produced from the Gerber data used to make the bare PCB. Solder stencil can be made with 72 hours. Note double sided PCB's require 2 Stencils.
These charges are only an indication and can vary depending on order value and can be free in some instances.
-
Yes. We provide hybrid assembly services combining through hole and surface mount technology. Through-hole components can be secured using flow soldering alongside SMT processes where required.
-
Yes. We assemble LED SMD PCB boards for lighting, control and specialist electronic applications. Our process ensures stable solder joints when mounting and soldering surface mount LED components.
-
Lead times depend on board complexity, component availability and production volume. We support fast-turnaround prototype builds as well as scheduled medium and high-volume production runs, all managed within our UK-based facility.