SMT assembly
SMT on LED and aluminum boards
The board is ready, or you only need mounting. Sample, small batch, and repeat SMT on LED source boards — not a full PCBA catalog, and not bare-board fabrication.
SMT assembly on aluminum LED boards
If the aluminum PCB still has to be made here, or parts should sit on the same PO, that is turnkey.
Lighting SMT fails on polarity, paste volume, and first article — not on a slogan about one-stop PCBA. Review our technical guide on LED PCB soldering defect prevention to see how we verify thermal pads and orientation before running volume.
Optional part buying can be reviewed after the BOM. It is not the default offer on this page.
What this is meant to catch
- LED polarity differs between silkscreen and the pick-and-place file
- Thermal-pad paste volume is left to the line instead of the stencil note
- A new LED package skips first article
- A lighting test is expected, but it was never in the quote
Is this assembly path a fit?
Use this page when you already have the board, or you only need SMT.
A fit if
- You only need SMT — the bare board is already made, or will be supplied
- The job is an LED source board or aluminum lighting board
- You can send Gerber, BOM, and say which parts you will supply
- You want a sample or first article before a repeat run
Usually not a fit if
- You only need the bare aluminum PCB — use the fabrication page
- Board, parts, and SMT should sit on one PO — use turnkey
- The job is a complete lamp, housing, or driver box
- A lighting or functional test is expected without a method or fixture
What an SMT quote covers
The quote names stencil, first article, and inspection. It does not silently include board fabrication or a full buy.
Included when confirmed
- SMT on LED / aluminum source boards
- Stencil prepared to the approved board
- First-article check before the main run
- Visual / process inspection
- Packing to the confirmed packing note
- Optional part buying after BOM review — not assumed
Not included
- Bare-board fabrication as the default offer
- Full turnkey buying (board + parts + SMT on one PO)
- Complete fixtures, lenses, or housings
- Driver-box builds
- Functional or lighting tests without a defined method
| Scope item | Typical meaning |
|---|---|
| Board type | Aluminum PCB / LED source boards |
| Service | SMT assembly. Board fabrication is a separate path. |
| Order type | Sample, small batch, and repeat production |
| Files | Gerber, BOM, pick-and-place if available, quantity |
| Parts | You supply, or we confirm after BOM review. Full buy is turnkey. |
| Stencil | Prepared for the approved board and paste notes |
| Inspection | Incoming, first article, visual / process inspection |
| Testing | Only when method, fixture, and pass/fail rules are defined |
Who supplies the board and the parts
This path assumes the aluminum PCB is consigned, or already made. Parts follow the BOM note — not a default factory buy.
- You send the bare board, or another plant already made it.
- You usually supply the LEDs. Remaining parts can be reviewed after the BOM.
- If we should fabricate the aluminum PCB as well, switch to turnkey.
- Silent substitution is not allowed. Any MPN change needs written sign-off.
How assembly is handled
File review, stencil, SMT, first article, inspection, pack. Extra tests are only added when they are defined.
File and BOM review
Gerber, BOM, placement data, and who supplies the parts are checked first.
Stencil
The stencil matches the approved board and LED thermal-pad notes.
SMT
LED / aluminum boards are assembled to the confirmed files.
First article
The first boards are checked before the main run continues.
Inspection
Visual and process checks run during and after assembly.
Pack and ship
Boards are packed after pre-shipment confirmation.
Boards we assemble
LED source boards, modules, and lighting boards on aluminum PCB — not finished luminaires.
SMT checkpoints
Polarity, paste, and first article change yield. These belong in the quote, not after the line starts.
| Checkpoint | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| LED polarity | Silkscreen, CPL, and assembly drawing must show the same direction. |
| Orientation | Rotation is checked on the first article, especially for new LED packages. |
| Solder paste / stencil | Paste volume on LED thermal pads should be named, not assumed. |
| Board condition | Finish, cleanliness, and warpage on a consigned aluminum board affect yield. |
| Inspection scope | Visual or AOI rules belong in the quote. |
| Test | Only when method, fixture, and pass/fail are defined before order. |
What to send and how scheduling works
A complete package quotes the real work. Missing pick-and-place or a sourcing split creates questions, not a fake price.
Sample
Scheduled after file and BOM review
Small batch
Pilot or launch runs after first article
Repeat
Same files and parts list as the signed-off sample
Board supply
You send the board, or use turnkey if we also make it
Parts
Consigned, or confirmed after BOM review
Quote lock
After files, quantity, and sourcing split are clear
What to send
- 01Gerber files for the board being assembled
- 02BOM with package, MPN, and quantity
- 03Pick-and-place / CPL if available — needed for LED polarity
- 04Quantity for sample, pilot, and repeat if they differ
- 05Which parts you will supply, especially LEDs
For formatting requirements on parts lists and placement files, see our PCB assembly RFQ checklist. Leave board notes on the contact form, or email Gerber files and BOM directly to sales@luminapcb.com. The form does not accept file uploads.
How to start
SMT scope is confirmed after we review the board files and BOM. Dates are locked before order.
- 01
Send files
Gerber, BOM, quantity, and which parts you will supply.
- 02
Confirm SMT scope
We confirm stencil, first article, inspection, and whether the board is consigned.
- 03
Quote and plan
Assembly date is given after that review — not as a catalog lead time.
Need the board made as well?
Need bare-board fabrication or board + SMT on one PO? Use the paths below.
FAQ
Assembly questions. Fabrication and one-PO buying live on their own pages.
Do you assemble aluminum PCBs and LED source boards?
Yes. This page is SMT on LED / aluminum boards — sample, small batch, and repeat production.
Do I have to supply the bare board?
For this path, yes — the board is already made, or you will send it. If we should fabricate the aluminum PCB as well, that is the turnkey page.
Can you buy the components?
Optional, after BOM review. A description such as “white 2835 LED” is not enough. If the board, parts, and SMT should sit on one PO, use turnkey.
What files are required for quotation?
Gerber, BOM, quantity, and which parts you will supply. Pick-and-place data and an assembly drawing help, especially for LED polarity.
Do you support full PCBA or one-stop PCB + SMT?
Not on this page. Full board + SMT + optional parts under one quote is turnkey. Bare-board only is the aluminum PCB page.
Do you assemble complete lamps?
No. Work stops at SMT on the LED / aluminum board. Housings, lenses, and driver boxes are outside the scope.
Is a lighting or functional test included?
Only when the method, fixture, voltage/current, and pass/fail rule are defined before quotation. An undefined test is not assumed.
Can you run a sample before repeat production?
Yes. Sample and first-article support are the usual start before a repeat SMT run.
Send files for an SMT review
Email Gerber, BOM, quantity, and which parts you will supply to sales@luminapcb.com. We reply within 1 business day.