When you’re looking for a PCB manufacturer and deciding whether to order a prototype or move toward production, one of the first questions to ask is whether they offer complete “turnkey” assembly, including not only through-hole but SMT components as well. The answer to this question basically determines the extent to which you have to manage the process yourself versus how much you can hand off to your contract manufacturer.

Here at Sonic Manufacturing, the short answer is YES! We provide full turnkey PCB assembly, including through-hole and SMT, under one roof.

What Does “Turnkey” Really Mean?

Turnkey PCB assembly is where the manufacturer not only performs the assembly itself, but also covers the entire logistics of components purchasing, on their account, rather than having you source the parts, coordinate different vendors, or manage assembly logistics on your own. At Sonic, all you need to do is send us your design files and specifications, and we will orchestrate procurement, assembly, inspection, and testing until your product is ready. That’s really it!

The flipside of this is “consignment” assembly or non-turnkey assembly, where the customer is responsible for procuring all components. While some teams are able to handle this because they have their own supply chains and procurement resources, many cannot. Expecting the customer to handle this can easily introduce risk and administrative overhead. Turnkey assembly, on the other hand, holds a single partner accountable for all of these tasks.

SMT Assembly Capabilities

Our board assembly services include both through-hole and SMT. SMT (Surface Mount Technology) has become a mainstream solution when designing and manufacturing modern electronic boards—and for good reason. It’s highly favored because it allows for smaller components, higher density boards, and more efficient automated assembly. Our SMT assembly lines can handle a wide variety of component sizes and package types, ranging from standard passives to fine-pitch ICs.

We also include fully automated optical inspection (AOI) at multiple stages of our SMT process, allowing us to catch placement errors, solder defects, or component issues before boards move further down the line. Catching a defect during assembly is much cheaper and faster to address than discovering it during testing, or worse yet, after the board has shipped out.

Through-Hole Assembly Capabilities

Although SMT has largely taken over modern board layout and assembly, there’s still a good reason through-hole components haven’t vanished. Some applications still benefit from through-hole assembly, particularly those where high mechanical strength, high thermal dissipation, or high connector retention are necessary.

Many boards we assemble at Sonic use a mixed-technology approach, which combines SMT and through-hold components on the same board to optimize for density and mechanical reliability.

Why Mixed-Technology Board Assembly Matters

As mentioned above, many of today’s boards include both through-hole and SMT parts. However, many manufacturers can only handle one or the other well. Fewer can handle both on the same board with the same precision and attention to detail. That’s where Sonic really shines.

Because we run both assemblies as fully integrated capabilities rather than separate offerings, mixed-technology boards move through our process with extreme efficiency. This is especially beneficial for industrial, automotive, and specialty electronics applications, as they commonly require both component types. 

What’s Included in Our Turnkey Assembly Service

Our turnkey PCB assembly service generally includes:

• Component sourcing and management. We source and purchase all electronic parts for the PCB boards, according to the Bill of Materials (BOM). To keep costs competitive, we use our broad network of suppliers and take advantage of bulk purchases.
• SMT and/or through-hole assembly. This includes mixed-technology boards.
• Inspection process. We use AOI for in-process inspection, along with X-ray inspection for hidden solder joints. Functional and electrical testing is also done to ensure boards meet their specs before shipping.
• Documentation and traceability. Customers receive a clear record of components and processes used.

Is Turnkey Assembly Right for Your Project?

Turnkey assembly makes the most sense for those who need one point of responsibility, require expertise in sourcing components and managing supply chains, and who’d like to decrease overhead for managing many suppliers. However, if you’ve got established component contacts and would like to bring them in, consignment assembly is something we’re definitely open to discussing.

Let’s Talk About Your PCB Project

If you’re evaluating manufacturers for an upcoming PCB assembly run, whether it’s a low-volume prototype or a full production order, we’re glad to walk through your specific requirements and explain exactly how our turnkey process would apply to your design.

Contact Sonic Manufacturing today to discuss your PCB assembly needs and get a quote for your next project.