Printed Circuit Board Assembler Assemblers
SaveWhat Does a Printed Circuit Board Assembler Do?
Printed circuit board assemblers read blueprints and drawings to assemble printed circuit boards. They use hand- and automated soldering tools and machines to connect electronic components to the board.
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Where Do I Start?
Printed Circuit Boards
Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic components are electrically connected through conductive tracks and pads.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Printed Circuit Board Assembler
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialPrinted Circuit Boards knowledge
Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic …
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EssentialCircuit Diagrams knowledge
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialIntegrated Circuits knowledge
Electronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialThrough-hole Technology knowledge
Through-hole technology or THT is a method of mounting electronic components onto the printed circuit board through inserting leads on the components into holes in the circuit board and soldering …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialElectronics knowledge
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSemiconductors knowledge
Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEnsure Conformity To Specifications skill
Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Public Safety And Security skill
Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMeet Deadlines skill
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Assembly Drawings skill
Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Through-hole Technology Manually skill
Use through-hole technology (THT) to attach the leads of larger electronic components through the corresponding holes in printed circuit boards. Apply this technique manually.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssemble Printed Circuit Boards skill
Attach electronic components to the printed circuit board through applying soldering techniques. Electronic components are placed in holes in through-hole assembly (THT), or are placed on the surface of PCB …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCoat Printed Circuit Board skill
Add a protective layer of coating to the finished printed circuit board.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Insertion Mount Machine skill
Operate the insertion mount machine or inserter to insert the leads of electronic components into holes in the printed circuit boards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Board For Soldering skill
Prepare the loaded printed circuit boards for solder operations. Clean the board and mark designated areas.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSolder Components Onto Electronic Board skill
Solder electronic components onto bare electronic boards to create loaded electronic boards using hand soldering tools or soldering machinery.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 23 displayed)
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OptionalElectrochemistry knowledge
Subdiscipline of chemistry that studies the chemical reactions that take place during the interaction of an electrolyte, a chemical substance that works as an ionic conductor, and an electrode, or …
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OptionalMicroelectronics knowledge
Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
Recommended Books
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OptionalMicroprocessors knowledge
Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalElectroplating knowledge
The process of plating together different types of metals through hydrolysis, silver plating, chromium plating, or copper plating. Electroplating allows for the combination of different metals with different properties in …
Recommended Books
4 booksElectro-deposition of Metals: A Practical, Comprehensive Work Comprising Electro-plating ... and Processes Used in Every Department of the ArtElectro-plating With Cobalt [microform]Electro-Deposition of Metals: A Practical, Comprehensive Work Comprising Electro-Plating, Galvanoplastic Operations and Electrotyping; Deposition of -
OptionalPrinted Circuit Boards Testing Methods knowledge
Printed circuit board (PCB) testing methods consist of those processes in which PCB components or systems are tested, such as the in-circuit test (ICT), joint test action group (JTAG) test, …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalSurface-mount Technology knowledge
Surface-mount technology or SMT is a method where the electronic components are placed on the surface of the printed circuit board. SMT components attached in this way are usually sensitive, …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalIPC Standards knowledge
Standards and guidelines with regards to the use and manufacture of electronics and printed circuit boards. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general safety rules, electronic …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalClean Components During Assembly skill
Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDispose Of Hazardous Waste skill
Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Records Of Work Progress skill
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Precision Machinery skill
Operate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOversee Logistics Of Finished Products skill
Ensure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPack Electronic Equipment skill
Safely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReplace Defect Components skill
Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalResolve Equipment Malfunctions skill
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Diagnostic Tools For Electronic Repairs skill
Use diagnostic equipment to measure current, resistance and voltage. Handle sophisticated multimeters to measure inductance, capacitance and current transistor gain.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck For Solder Defects skill
Check the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClean Printed Circuit Board skill
Clean the printed circuit boards and components as necessary before, during, and after the assembly process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Microelectronics skill
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in microelectronic systems, products, and components and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the components in …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate SMT Placement Equipment skill
Operate surface-mount technology (SMT) machines and equipment to place and solder surface-mount devices (SMD) onto the printed circuit board with high precision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Wave Soldering Machine skill
Operate the wave soldering machine to solder electronic components onto the printed circuit board. Here, the board is moved over a wave of liquid solder and the connections inserted through …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Microelectronics skill
Test microelectronics using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Printed Circuit Boards skill
Test the printed circuit board with special testing adapters to ensure optimal efficiency, functionality, and that everything works according to design. Adapt the testing devices to the type of circuit …
Course recommendations coming soon.
