When designing a new electronic product, one critical decision is choosing the right assembly process: Surface Mount Technology (SMT) or Through-Hole Technology (THT).
At Epsilon Electronics, we’ve supported hundreds of startups and OEMs across India in navigating this decision. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding SMT – The Industry Standard
SMT allows for direct placement of components on the PCB surface, enabling:
- Compact board designs for modern devices
- Fast, automated assembly using pick-and-place machines
- Cost-efficient high-volume manufacturing
We recently helped a Bengaluru-based IoT company reduce their unit cost by 27% with a fully SMT-based BOM.
Where THT Still Shines
THT requires drilling holes into the PCB, allowing component leads to pass through for soldering. It’s ideal for:
- High-vibration or rugged environments
- Power electronics needing higher current support
- Prototypes that require rework
For example, we used THT for a control unit in mining equipment where mechanical reliability was critical.
SMT vs THT – Use Case Comparison
Project Type | Preferred Tech | Reason |
Smartwatch PCB | SMT | Space-saving, cost-efficient |
EV Motor Controller | Mixed | SMT for logic, THT for power section |
Agri Sensor Node | SMT | Compact and low-cost |
Railway Signaling Unit | THT | Mechanical integrity in harsh conditions |
What We Recommend at Epsilon Electronics
There’s no universal answer — and that’s why our engineering team works with you during the design phase to find the best solution. Whether it’s SMT, THT, or both, we focus on:
- Cost optimization
- Component availability
- Manufacturability and quality
Our Capabilities
We offer complete SMT and THT assembly in-house, including:
- High-speed SMT lines
- Wave soldering and manual THT assembly
- Quality inspection with AOI and functional testing
- Support for low-volume, high-mix and large-scale production
Let’s Discuss Your Project
If you’re unsure about which assembly process to use, let’s talk. We offer:
