On-track Technology

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On-track Technology By tailoring our manufacturing to your requirements, our goals are to provide you with the HIGHEST QUALITY products, ON TRACK, ON TIME and ON BUDGET.

On-Track Technology is an innovative Contract Electronic Manufacturer (CEM) that has been providing Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to our customers since 1991. On-track Technology Pty Ltd is an 100% Australian owned company committed to being the most flexible and innovative Contract Electronic Manufacturer (CEM) in the industry. Our pursuit for HIGHER QUALITY, HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS and FASTER TURNAROUND TIME has meant On-Track Technology is continually reviewing and updating our manufacturing processes with the latest state-of-the-art machinery and industry best manufacturing process models. Our recent newly purpose built manufacturing facility is housed in a modern climate controlled air conditioned facility with 100% ESD safe working environments

Moving from a prototype to production is not simply a matter of pressing “start” on the assembly line.Before production ...
20/10/2026

Moving from a prototype to production is not simply a matter of pressing “start” on the assembly line.

Before production ramps up, the design, components, and assembly process all need to be checked and validated.

A typical PCB NPI process involves:

Design and DFM review → Prototype build → Inspection and testing → First article review → Process validation → Production release.

Each stage helps uncover potential issues, confirm the process is working as intended and reduce the risk of costly problems once production volumes increase.

The goal is not just to build the first working board. It is to establish a reliable, repeatable process that delivers consistent results in production.

Good preparation at the NPI stage can make all the difference when it’s time to scale up.

Read more about the journey from prototype to production:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/105

A PCB design can look right on screen and still cause problems on the production floor.Clearance issues, tight component...
15/10/2026

A PCB design can look right on screen and still cause problems on the production floor.

Clearance issues, tight component spacing, awkward panelisation and limited inspection access can all create challenges once a design reaches manufacturing. Many of these issues are easier to address before the first board goes into production.

💡 That’s where Design for Manufacturing (DFM) comes in.

Before releasing a PCB design, here are 7 checks worth making:

1. Component Spacing and Clearance
Are components positioned with enough room for assembly and inspection?

2. Pad and Footprint Design
Do the footprints match the actual components and their recommended land patterns?

3. Trace Width and Spacing
Are copper dimensions suitable for the electrical requirements and manufacturing capabilities?

4. Via Placement
Are vias positioned appropriately to avoid unnecessary fabrication and assembly challenges?

5. Fiducials
Are optical alignment markers correctly positioned for automated component placement?

6. Panelisation and Tooling Holes
Is the board designed for reliable handling, alignment and automated production?

7. Solder Mask and Silkscreen Clearances
Are exposed pads, solder mask openings and component markings positioned appropriately?

✅ These checks won't eliminate every manufacturing issue, but they can help identify potential problems earlier, reduce avoidable rework, and make the transition from design to production smoother.

At On-Track Technology, we understand that getting the details right early makes a difference when a PCB moves onto the production floor.

Good manufacturing starts with good design decisions.

Read the full article for a closer look at these seven DFM checks:
👉 https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/104

What should you look for in a PCB manufacturing partner?Price matters, but it shouldn't be the only factor.The right man...
13/10/2026

What should you look for in a PCB manufacturing partner?

Price matters, but it shouldn't be the only factor.

The right manufacturing partner can make a real difference to product quality, lead times, new product introduction (NPI), and the reliability of your finished assembly.

Here are three key areas worth considering:

🔹 Manufacturing Capability – Can they support your requirements from prototype development through to volume production?

🔹 Consistent Quality – Do they have the process controls, inspection methods, and quality systems needed to deliver repeatable results?

🔹 Long-Term Partnership – Can you rely on clear communication, responsive support, and practical engineering input when challenges arise?

Beyond these fundamentals, consider their engineering expertise, design for manufacturability (DFM) support, traceability, and ability to identify potential production issues early.

A good manufacturing partner does more than build boards. They work with your team to reduce risk, improve production efficiency, and support reliable outcomes as your products move from design to production.

At On-Track Technology, we support Australian manufacturers and engineering teams with PCB manufacturing and assembly, backed by a focus on quality, process control, and practical engineering support.

Choosing your next manufacturing partner? Look beyond the price.

Read the full article:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/103

A PCB doesn’t become a working electronic assembly in one step.There are two distinct stages – PCB manufacturing and PCB...
06/10/2026

A PCB doesn’t become a working electronic assembly in one step.

There are two distinct stages – PCB manufacturing and PCB assembly – and both have a direct impact on the final product.

PCB manufacturing is about producing the bare board itself. It covers the materials, copper layers, drilling, plating, solder mask, surface finish, and other processes that create the foundation for the circuit.

PCB assembly starts with that finished board. Components are placed, soldered, and inspected to turn the bare PCB into a functional PCBA.

The difference matters.

A well-manufactured PCB gives the assembly process a solid foundation. But good board fabrication alone doesn’t guarantee a reliable finished assembly. Component placement, soldering, inspection, and process control all play their part.

For electronics manufacturers, understanding where these two processes meet is important, especially when moving from prototype to production.

We’ve broken down the key differences between PCB manufacturing and PCB assembly, along with what happens at each stage.

Read the full article: https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/102

PCB vs PCBA: What’s the Difference?They’re often used interchangeably, but a PCB and a PCBA are not the same thing.A PCB...
01/10/2026

PCB vs PCBA: What’s the Difference?

They’re often used interchangeably, but a PCB and a PCBA are not the same thing.

A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is the bare board – the substrate that provides the electrical connections and mechanical foundation for the components.

A PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) is that same board after the components have been placed and soldered onto it.

In simple terms:

PCB = the bare board
PCBA = the assembled board

The distinction matters because manufacturing a reliable PCBA involves much more than producing the board itself. Component selection, placement, solder paste, stencil design, reflow, inspection, and process control all come into play.

For manufacturers and engineers, understanding where PCB fabrication ends and PCB assembly begins helps make communication, costing, DFM reviews, and production planning much clearer.

At On-Track, we work across the PCB assembly process to help turn designs into production-ready electronics.

Read the full article to see the key differences between PCB and PCBA, and why they matter in electronics manufacturing: https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/101

What could Pax Silica mean for Australia’s electronics manufacturing industry?As global technology supply chains evolve,...
29/09/2026

What could Pax Silica mean for Australia’s electronics manufacturing industry?

As global technology supply chains evolve, Australia is looking to strengthen local capability, build resilience, and support a more connected manufacturing ecosystem.

For PCB manufacturing and assembly, that could mean greater focus on advanced manufacturing, engineering skills, quality, automation, and the ability to respond when global supply chains come under pressure.

The question is not just where technology is made – but how resilient the supply chain behind it can be.

👉 Read our latest article to explore what Pax Silica could mean for Australia’s electronics manufacturing industry: https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/100

As PCB assembly requirements become more technically demanding, having the right reflow capability becomes increasingly ...
24/09/2026

As PCB assembly requirements become more technically demanding, having the right reflow capability becomes increasingly important.

We’re expanding our SMT capabilities with a new Rehm Thermal Systems reflow oven, adding advanced thermal management capability to support more demanding PCB assemblies.

Reflow soldering has long been an established part of our SMT production process. This new system adds greater control and capability when processing boards and products with more demanding thermal requirements.

For complex PCB assemblies, thermal management plays an important role in achieving a consistent and controlled reflow process. Having greater control over the thermal profile allows our production team to better support a wider range of advanced board designs.

This investment is part of our ongoing focus on strengthening our technical capabilities and supporting the evolving requirements of our customers.

From solder paste printing and component placement through reflow and inspection, every stage of the SMT process plays an important role in delivering consistent results.

The new Rehm system gives our production team greater capability to support advanced and thermally demanding PCB assemblies as we continue to develop our manufacturing capabilities.

👉 Read more about our latest SMT capability upgrade: https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/99

PCB warpage isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It can create real problems during assembly.When a PCB doesn’t stay flat, it ca...
22/09/2026

PCB warpage isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It can create real problems during assembly.

When a PCB doesn’t stay flat, it can affect solder paste printing, component placement, reflow and even how reliably the board moves through the assembly process.

So, what causes it?

Common contributors include:

• Uneven copper distribution across the board
• Asymmetrical layer stack-ups
• Differences in material properties
• Excessive or uneven thermal exposure
• Poor control during lamination and fabrication
• Large changes in temperature during reflow

The good news is that many warpage issues can be reduced before they reach the production line.

Good PCB design, balanced copper distribution, a suitable stack-up and controlled manufacturing processes all play a part in keeping boards stable and assembly-ready.

The earlier warpage is considered, the easier it is to prevent it from becoming a production problem.

Read our latest article to learn more about the common causes of PCB warpage and practical ways to prevent it:

👉 https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/98

How much does PCB thickness really matter?PCB thickness isn’t just a number on the drawing. It can affect how a board is...
16/09/2026

How much does PCB thickness really matter?

PCB thickness isn’t just a number on the drawing. It can affect how a board is manufactured, assembled and how reliably it performs in the field.

Too thin, and you may run into issues with mechanical strength, handling or thermal performance.

Too thick, and you can introduce different challenges – from drilling and plating considerations to component fit, connectors and overall assembly requirements.

The right PCB thickness depends on the application, layer stack-up, copper weight, mechanical requirements and manufacturing process.

That’s why thickness should be considered early in the design – not treated as an afterthought.

Good PCB design is about making sure the board works not only on paper, but through manufacturing and into the real world.

Read the full article:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/97

How much can trace width and copper weight really affect your PCB?More than you might think.A trace that’s too narrow fo...
11/09/2026

How much can trace width and copper weight really affect your PCB?

More than you might think.

A trace that’s too narrow for the current can run hotter than expected. Copper that’s too light can reduce current capacity and contribute to voltage drop, heat dissipation issues and long-term reliability.

That’s why good PCB design considers the relationship between current, trace width, copper weight and thermal performance from the beginning – not after a problem appears in production.

For manufacturers, getting these details right can also help reduce avoidable fabrication and assembly issues.

Good PCB design isn’t just about making everything fit. It’s about making sure the board can handle the job reliably – and can be manufactured consistently.

Want to understand why trace width and copper weight matter?

Read the full article:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/96

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Milperra, NSW

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Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

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+61297007000

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