The electronic manufacturing services market
As a growing industry, the electronic manufacturing services market is a sector of companies that make products on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With that, electronic manufacturing services (EMS) assembly tends to be focused in Asia, more specifically in China and India.
Typical OEMs that use EMS include computer, electronics, aerospace and defense, medical and healthcare, automotive, semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, agriculture, power and energy, among others. Within this, increasing demand is seen in electric vehicles (EV), smartphones, smart devices, connected car technologies, and medical devices needing printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Consumer demand
The rising interest for EMS in these sectors is driven by consumer demand. This particularly applies to EVs, which require more PCBs than their fuel counterparts. With EVs, PCBs go beyond the cars themselves and include charging stations.
As you might imagine, most traditional automobile brands offering EVs aren't highly specialized in electronics. This is why EMS producers are important.
Read on to learn about the differences between EMS and the OEMs they work for, as well as specific requirements for production – including readily available nitrogen. This gas is essential for electronic manufacturing due to its low oxidation properties. It also doesn’t generate heat, which can damage components.
OEM vs EMS
An OEM is a company which makes a complete product. It ensures everything works and fits together perfectly before shipping out to the consumer. With that, an OEM may source components from other manufacturers while ensuring everything functions as a complete whole.
On the other end of the spectrum are generic aftermarket parts. These are developed by manufacturers not certified by the OEM and are made for servicing and repairs. They might be designed to fit a wider range of products, leading to a less exact fit than OEM certified components.
As mentioned in the introduction, an EMS produces parts for an OEM. For example, a computer or electric vehicle (EV) brand will typically use an EMS to produce PCBs. This allows the OEM to focus on the assembly and outsource various elements. It's also important to note that the OEM is responsible for ensuring quality control standards are met.
What is handled by the electronic manufacturing services market?
Typically, the services offered by an EMS company include the following. These make it easier for an OEM to shift focus towards more efficient productions.
- PCB assembly. An EMS company assembles PCBs with electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, semiconductors, and other parts. This is done either manually or using automated assembly machines.
- Mechanical assembly. EMS companies can perform mechanical assembly tasks, including integrating electronic assemblies into enclosures, cable assembly, and wiring.
- Testing and quality control. Various tests and quality control procedures are carried by EMS companies. These ensure products meet specifications and quality standards, and may include functional, environmental, and electrical tests.
- Logistics and supply chain. These services are offered by some EMS companies, and include material procurement, shipping, and delivery.
- After-sales support. Many EMS companies provide after-sales support and repair services for manufactured products. This is available for assisting customers with issues or maintenance needs.
With these, it makes sense for an OEM to use an EMS provider. They tend to have a specialized understanding of complex electronic components. This is becoming more and more important, as products continue to advance in features.
Nitrogen for EMS providers
When assembling delicate products like PCBs, clean, pure nitrogen is needed. This is because it's important to avoid any dust or contaminants from compromising the electronics. You also don’t want oxide (present in oxygen and thus in air) to break down the properties of the soldering liquid when securing components. Nitrogen reduces this as much as possible. In addition, nitrogen enables better solder flow. Generally, it improves the quality, efficiency, and productivity of PCBs. It also helps avoid corrosion, which causes short circuits and interrupted connections in the PCB.
For optimal results, it’s important to have the right purity and flow for your soldering type (reflow, wave or selective). With that, the best way for any EMS company to have readily available nitrogen is with on-site production. It’s also worth pointing out that on-site nitrogen generation has a lower carbon footprint. This is due to the lack of transportation required, among other factors. You can find out more on this topic in our related blog .
Choosing an EMS provider
The electronic manufacturing services market is growing. This is particularly true for EV manufacturing, which is growing globally. As the world becomes more electrified, so does the need for EMS suppliers. Therefore, the industry will become more competitive and filled with highly capable suppliers. Since EMS companies are typically located in a different country than the OEM, it's important to pay attention to supply chain logistics.
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