We serve a wide range of industries including military and defense, aerospace, government, medical devices, industrial, consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications. Our dedicated Military, Aerospace and Government (MAG) unit handles high-reliability, mission-critical programs with specialized quality requirements.

Our core service areas include: PCB fabrication and assembly (SMT, through-hole, mixed), New Product Introduction (NPI), prototype-to-production scaling, system integration and testing, mechanical and electrical engineering services, wiring and cable assemblies, and order fulfillment and aftermarket services. We also offer MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) engineering and development support, ATE assembly, and custom engineering solutions.

New Product Introduction (NPI) is the structured process of transitioning a product from design and development through prototyping, validation, and into full-scale production. It is a critical phase in the electronics product lifecycle that ensures manufacturability, quality, and repeatability before committing to volume manufacturing. The NPI process typically includes Engineering Validation Testing (EVT), Design Validation Testing (DVT), and Production Validation Testing (PVT). SVTronics supports clients through every NPI phase, from first prototype builds to production ramp.

Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) is the first formal hardware build and test phase in the NPI process. Its goal is to validate that the design meets the functional and technical requirements as specified. During EVT, prototype units are built, tested against specifications, and engineering teams identify and resolve design issues before proceeding to Design Validation. Subsequent stages, namely DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test), further verify that design refinements hold under real-world conditions and that the production process can consistently yield passing units at volume.

Yes. SVTronics supports the full product lifecycle, from initial prototype assembly through NPI, engineering validation, engineering iteration, and ramp to high-volume production. Having a single manufacturing partner across these phases reduces handoff risk, preserves process knowledge, and accelerates time to market. Our teams can also provide mechanical and electrical engineering services to assist with engineering refinements identified during the validation process.

SVTronics’ engineering services include: electronic engineering and development, MEMS technology development, system integration and testing, ATE (Automated Test Equipment) assembly, engineer for manufacturability (DFM) analysis, and engineering validation support (EVT/DVT/PVT). We also provide consumer electronics product development services for OEMs who need a partner from concept through production-ready hardware.

PCB Assembly (PCBA) is the process of soldering and attaching electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, ICs, and connectors, onto a bare printed circuit board to create a functional electronic assembly. This is distinct from PCB fabrication, which produces the bare board itself. SVTronics offers full turnkey PCBA services including component sourcing, SMT assembly, through-hole assembly, soldering, and electrical testing, handling everything from individual prototypes to high-volume production runs.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) refers to companies that engineer, test, manufacture, distribute, and provide return and repair services for electronic components and assemblies on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). EMS providers like SVTronics allow OEMs to outsource their manufacturing operations while retaining design ownership. EMS differs from a Contract Electronics Manufacturer (CEM) primarily in scope, as EMS encompasses broader supply chain management, engineering support, and lifecycle services in addition to production.

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a flat board made of non-conductive substrate material, most commonly FR-4 fiberglass laminate, that mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components using conductive copper traces, pads, and vias etched onto or embedded within its layers. PCBs are the foundational building block of virtually every electronic device, including smartphones, computers, medical equipment, vehicles, industrial controls, and defense systems.

The primary materials in a standard PCB include:

Substrate/laminate: FR-4 (a woven fiberglass and epoxy composite) is the most common. High-frequency or high-temperature applications may use Rogers, polyimide, PTFE, or ceramic-filled laminates.

Copper: Thin copper foil layers form the conductive traces and planes that carry electrical signals and power.

Solder mask: A polymer coating applied over copper to protect traces, prevent solder bridges, and provide electrical insulation. This is the green (or other color) coating you see on most boards.

Silkscreen: A printed ink layer that adds component labels, logos, and reference designators for assembly and service.

Surface finish: HASL, ENIG, OSP, or other finishes are applied to exposed copper pads to prevent oxidation and ensure solderability.

The green color comes from the solder mask, which is the protective polymer coating applied over the copper traces. Historically, green epoxy-based solder mask became the industry standard because it was the most widely available, chemically stable, and cost-effective option during the early era of PCB manufacturing. It also offers excellent contrast for optical inspection. Today, PCBs are produced in many colors, including blue, red, black, white, and yellow, but green remains the default for most commercial and industrial applications due to tradition, availability, and the quality of visual inspection it allows.

A multilayer PCB contains three or more conductive copper layers, as opposed to single- or double-sided boards. The layers are separated by insulating laminate material and bonded together under heat and pressure. Connections between layers are made through drilled and plated holes called vias. Multilayer boards allow for denser component placement, better signal integrity, dedicated power and ground planes, and reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), making them the standard for complex or miniaturized electronics. SVTronics manufactures and assembles multilayer PCBs for commercial, defense, and aerospace applications.

HDI PCBs use finer lines and spaces, smaller vias (microvias), and higher connection pad density than standard boards. This allows for more components in a smaller footprint, making them essential for compact, high-performance products like smartphones, wearables, advanced avionics, and medical devices. SVTronics supports HDI PCB assembly for aerospace and defense and medical applications that demand ultra-reliable, high-precision manufacturing.

PCB etching is a key step in PCB fabrication where unwanted copper is chemically removed from the board surface, leaving behind only the desired copper traces that form the circuit. A photoresist layer is first applied and exposed to UV light through a photomask, then the unprotected copper is dissolved using an etchant solution (most commonly ferric chloride or ammonium persulfate). The result defines the electrical pathways of the board.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) refers to companies that engineer, test, manufacture, distribute, and provide return and repair services for electronic components and assemblies on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). EMS providers like SVTronics allow OEMs to outsource their manufacturing operations while retaining design ownership. EMS differs from a Contract Electronics Manufacturer (CEM) primarily in scope, as EMS encompasses broader supply chain management, engineering support, and lifecycle services in addition to production.

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is the dominant PCB assembly method where components are mounted directly onto the surface of the board (rather than inserted through drilled holes). SMT components are soldered using solder paste and a reflow oven, enabling highly automated, high-speed assembly with smaller components and greater board density. SVTronics operates advanced SMT assembly lines capable of placing fine-pitch and chip-scale components for both prototype and high-volume production runs.

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) places components on the board surface, enabling smaller components, higher density, and fully automated assembly. It is used for the vast majority of modern electronics. Through-hole technology (THT) inserts component leads through drilled holes and solders them on the opposite side. Through-hole components offer superior mechanical strength, making them preferred for connectors, large capacitors, and applications subject to vibration or high stress, such as aerospace and military boards. SVTronics handles both SMT and through-hole assembly, as well as mixed-technology boards that use both methods.

MEMS, which stands for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, are miniaturized devices that integrate mechanical and electrical components at the microscale, typically fabricated using semiconductor manufacturing techniques. MEMS sensors and actuators are found in smartphones (accelerometers, gyroscopes), medical devices, automotive safety systems, and industrial equipment. SVTronics provides MEMS engineering, development, and manufacturing support as part of our broader engineering services offering.

SVTronics maintains a comprehensive set of certifications: ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D (aerospace), ISO 13485 (medical devices), ITAR Registered, IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, SMTA, Texas HUB, SBE (Small Business Enterprise), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Certificate documents are available at svtronics.com/certificates/.

AS9100D is the internationally recognized quality management standard for the aviation, space, and defense industries, built on the foundation of ISO 9001 with additional aerospace-specific requirements for risk management, configuration control, first article inspection, and traceability. SVTronics’ AS9100D certification demonstrates that our quality management system meets the stringent requirements for manufacturing electronic assemblies used in aerospace and defense applications. This certification is typically a mandatory qualification requirement for suppliers to prime contractors and government programs.

Yes. SVTronics is registered with the U.S. State Department under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This allows us to manufacture, handle, and support products and information controlled under ITAR, including assemblies for military, defense, and government programs. Please note that our online QuickPrice estimation tool does not accept ITAR-controlled projects. Please contact us directly to discuss ITAR-regulated programs.

SVTronics is certified to IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies). These are the globally accepted standards for workmanship quality in electronics manufacturing, defining inspection criteria for solder joints, component placement, cleanliness, and other assembly attributes. Our production teams are trained and certified to IPC standards to ensure consistent, auditable quality on every build.

Yes. At SVTronics, our quality management system, including IPC workmanship standards and our ISO and AS9100D requirements, applies to all builds, whether a single-unit prototype or a high-volume production order. Customers receive consistent quality and documentation regardless of order size.

Key advantages of domestic PCB manufacturing include:

IP protection: U.S. law provides stronger intellectual property protections than many offshore jurisdictions. Your designs stay secure.

Supply chain control: Domestic production reduces exposure to overseas logistics disruptions, long lead times, and tariff uncertainty.

ITAR compliance: Defense and government programs often legally require U.S.-based manufacturing and handling.

Communication and collaboration: Same time zone, English-language engineering support, and the ability to visit the production floor accelerate problem resolution.

Quality assurance: U.S. manufacturers operate under stricter regulatory oversight and are easier to audit.

Faster turnaround: No transoceanic shipping, no customs delays. Shorter lead times and easier expediting for urgent builds.

While offshore manufacturers can have lower per-unit labor costs, the total cost of ownership of offshore production often narrows the gap significantly when you account for: shipping and freight, import duties and tariffs, quality escapes and rework, longer lead times that require higher inventory buffers, engineering communication overhead, and IP risk. For prototype, NPI, military/defense, and time-sensitive production, domestic manufacturing frequently offers better total value.

SVTronics is a U.S.-based manufacturer committed to supporting domestic supply chain requirements. For government programs with specific Buy American Act (BAA) or BABA (Build America, Buy America Act) compliance requirements, please contact us directly to discuss how we can support your program’s sourcing and documentation requirements.

Our test capabilities include: functional testing (product-specific electrical tests verifying board performance against specifications), flying probe testing (automated in-circuit test for net continuity and impedance without a dedicated fixture), in-circuit testing (ICT), and automated optical inspection (AOI) to detect solder defects, missing components, and placement errors. Our test engineers work with customers to develop tailored test plans that match the risk and quality requirements of each program.

PCB corrosion is most commonly caused by moisture (condensation, humidity, liquid ingress), ionic contamination from flux residues, salts, or handling with bare hands, environmental exposure to corrosive gases or chemicals, and electrolytic corrosion when moisture bridges conductive traces under voltage. Prevention strategies include: specifying appropriate surface finishes (ENIG is more corrosion-resistant than HASL), applying conformal coating to protect assembled boards, maintaining controlled storage environments, using anti-static moisture-barrier packaging, and ensuring thorough post-solder cleaning when water-soluble flux is used.

A well-designed and properly manufactured PCB in a controlled environment can last decades. The major factors affecting PCB lifespan include: operating temperature (thermal cycling causes mechanical stress on solder joints and laminates), humidity and moisture exposure, vibration and mechanical shock, UV and chemical exposure, and the quality of the original design, materials, and assembly. Military and aerospace-grade PCBs are designed and manufactured to significantly higher reliability standards precisely to maximize service life under harsh conditions.

Best practices for PCB storage and handling include always using anti-static (ESD-safe) packaging to prevent electrostatic discharge damage, storing boards in moisture-barrier bags with desiccant if long-term storage is anticipated, maintaining storage conditions below 40 degrees Celsius and 60% relative humidity, avoiding handling boards with bare hands by using gloves or holding boards by their edges to prevent contamination from skin oils and salts, and keeping boards away from corrosive chemicals and contaminants.

Lead-free soldering uses solder alloys, typically SAC (tin-silver-copper), that do not contain lead, in compliance with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations. Lead-free processes require higher reflow temperatures than traditional tin-lead solder and impose tighter process controls to achieve reliable solder joints. SVTronics supports both lead-free, RoHS-compliant, and leaded tin-lead assembly processes. Many aerospace and military programs still specify leaded solder for reliability reasons, and our team can advise on the appropriate process for your application.

SVTronics offers two paths to get a quote. PCBQuickPrice allows you to drag and drop your Gerber or ODB++ files for an automated estimate in under 30 seconds. No login is required. It automatically sources BOM parts, performs DFM checks, and provides instant pricing, and is available at svtronics.com. The Online Ordering Portal allows you to create an account at portal.svtronics.com for full custom order management, including 3D rendering, automatic layer assignment, BOM sourcing, and order tracking. For complex, ITAR-controlled, or large-volume programs, please contact our team directly at 214-440-1234 or chris@svtronics.com.

Our ordering and quoting tools support Gerber files (RS-274X) and ODB++ format, which are the two most widely used PCB data formats from all major EDA and CAD tools including Altium, KiCad, Eagle, Cadence, and Mentor. For assembly orders, you will also need to provide a Bill of Materials (BOM) and a pick-and-place (centroid) file.

The primary cost drivers for PCB assembly include: board size and layer count, component count and type (fine-pitch, BGA, and specialty components cost more to place), order quantity (setup costs amortize over higher volumes), component sourcing (availability and lead time for parts), lead time required (expedited builds carry a premium), testing requirements, and special processes such as conformal coating, press-fit connectors, or controlled impedance.

Yes. SVTronics is headquartered at 3465 Technology Dr, Plano, TX 75074, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We serve customers across Texas and nationwide. Local customers benefit from shorter lead times, the ability to visit our facility, and easier collaboration with our engineering and production teams. We also serve electronics manufacturers in the broader Dallas, Richardson, Allen, McKinney, and DFW technology corridor.

Yes. SVTronics holds a Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification, a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification, and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. These designations make SVTronics a qualifying supplier for government contractors and prime contractors who have supplier diversity requirements or small/minority business goals in their procurement programs.