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32 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2019 opposite corners of your board, diagonal from one another, for the highest degree of accuracy. If you're designing a mixed technology board using through-hole parts and SMT, it's best to keep the SMT on a single side of the board and to have the through-hole parts protrude through the bottom of the board to allow for wave or dip soldering. If you're running a dou- ble-sided design, keep in mind you will have to solder the through-hole parts with a selective solder, hand solder them, or get specialized pallets to run that assembly through a wave solder machine. Double-sided boards offer some other challenges, many of which were addressed in my last column, but a key part of double-sided design is ensuring that lighter components are on the bottom of the board during the double-sided reflow process. The size and shape of your board itself can also have an impact on how your boards are transported through the SMT process. If your board is round or odd shaped, it can be dif- ficult to plan out exactly how it will travel through your SMT line. Find a way to ensure that the edges of your board are square for ease of transport through the SMT line. If not, you'll need to find a solution, such as incorporating fixturing pallets for the board to be processed through the SMT line, or a removable frame portion in your design to be depanelized later. If your final product is small boards, you may want to consider panelization of the boards as an option to increase your production through- put and minimize handling. Provided that you optimize your placement order, this process can cut down on your pick-and-place time, orga- nizing all parts of a type to be placed one after another across multiple boards to cut down on the number of nozzle changes. In addition to those benefits, panelization is also great for freeing up operator time for other tasks as they can dedicate less time removing individual fin- ished boards and reloading the line itself. It may seem obvious that design is the first step in producing a quality SMT product, but it's essential to get your production started on the right foot, especially if you're transitioning to in-house PCBA work. Rather than being the concern of an outside contractor, issues and challenges with your design become your own and can become overwhelming quickly. Taking the time to ensure that you have a workable, stable design upfront can alleviate a world of stress in the long run. SMT007 Mike Fiorilla is a writer at Manncorp Inc. To read past columns or contact Fiorilla, click here. Zentech Manufacturing Inc. was recently acquired by BlackBern Partners LLC in partnership with Zentech Man- agement and incoming CEO Steve Pudles. Pudles has a 30-year track record building EMS businesses with indus- try-leading technology, process, quality and customer service. He is a 20-year member and past chairman of the Board of Directors of the IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries). Outgoing Zentech CEO and Presi- dent, Matt Turpin, will remain with Zentech as an advisor and investor. All members of the senior management team will remain with Zentech post acquisition. In an interview with I-Connect007, Pudles discusses the deal, his new role, changes to management, and the company's plans post-sale. Coming out of his semi-retire- ment, Pudles also talks about what led him back to the business, especially the EMS sector. To read the full interview, click here. Incoming CEO Steve Pudles on the Acquisition of Zentech