On-track Technology

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

Ge**er vs ODB++ vs IPC-2581 – which PCB manufacturing data format should you use?It’s not just about sending files to yo...
01/09/2026

Ge**er vs ODB++ vs IPC-2581 – which PCB manufacturing data format should you use?

It’s not just about sending files to your manufacturer. It’s about how much information you can transfer, how reliably it can be interpreted, and what could be lost along the way.

Ge**er remains widely adopted across PCB manufacturing. ODB++ can provide richer, structured manufacturing data, while IPC-2581 offers an open, structured standard for exchanging PCB design and manufacturing information.

But the newest or most feature-rich format isn’t automatically the right choice.

The real question is: Can your manufacturing partner reliably support it, and does it preserve the information your production process actually needs?

Choosing the right manufacturing data format can help reduce ambiguity, improve communication, and create a smoother transition from design to production.

👉 Read the full comparison:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/93

What format does your team use – Ge**er, ODB++, IPC-2581, or a combination?

The unsung heroes of reliable PCB assembly: Tooling Holes. 🛠️⚙️They may look like simple holes, but tooling holes play a...
27/08/2026

The unsung heroes of reliable PCB assembly: Tooling Holes. 🛠️⚙️

They may look like simple holes, but tooling holes play an important mechanical role throughout PCB manufacturing.

Precisely positioned tooling holes provide reliable reference points for PCB positioning, panel registration, and test-fixture alignment. When used with locating pins and precision fixtures, they help maintain consistent X/Y positioning and repeatable board placement from one process to the next.

Tooling holes can also take different forms depending on the application, including unplated round, slotted, and indexed designs. Choosing the right configuration is important for accurate registration while avoiding mechanical interference during manufacturing.

In panelised PCBs, their placement works together with the panel rails and tooling features to help maintain consistent positioning across the entire panel.

Small feature. Critical function. Precision starts with registration.

👉 Explore our technical guide on tooling holes and PCB design:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/92

Ever wondered why those small round marks on a PCB matter so much?Fiducials are easy to overlook on a PCB, but they play...
25/08/2026

Ever wondered why those small round marks on a PCB matter so much?

Fiducials are easy to overlook on a PCB, but they play an important role in keeping automated assembly accurate.

In simple terms:

🔹 Global fiducials give the machine an overall reference for the PCB or panel, helping establish its position and orientation.

🔹 Local fiducials provide a closer reference around specific components where additional alignment accuracy is needed, particularly with fine-pitch and other precision devices.

Getting the fiducial arrangement right helps the assembly equipment locate the board accurately and account for small manufacturing and placement variations.

It is one of those small PCB design details that can make a real difference on the production floor.

Want to understand how global and local fiducials work? Read the full article:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/90

Why does panelisation matter in PCB assembly?It’s not just about fitting more boards onto one panel.A well-designed pane...
18/08/2026

Why does panelisation matter in PCB assembly?

It’s not just about fitting more boards onto one panel.

A well-designed panel helps the PCB move through the assembly line smoothly, from solder paste printing and component placement through reflow and inspection.

Good panelisation can help with:

• Easier machine handling
• Better board stability
• More consistent placement
• More efficient SMT production
• Less manual handling between processes

But there’s more to it than simply arranging multiple boards together. Board size, tooling holes, fiducials, process rails, component clearances, and machine requirements all need to work together.

When the panel is designed with the production process in mind, it can make a real difference to how smoothly and reliably the boards run through assembly.

We’ve covered the key considerations in our latest article:

https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/88

Why does panelisation matter in PCB assembly?It’s not just about fitting more boards onto one panel.A well-designed pane...
14/08/2026

Why does panelisation matter in PCB assembly?

It’s not just about fitting more boards onto one panel.

A well-designed panel helps the PCB move through the assembly line smoothly, from solder paste printing and component placement through reflow and inspection.

Good panelisation can help with:

• Easier machine handling
• Better board stability
• More consistent placement
• More efficient SMT production
• Less manual handling between processes

But there’s more to it than simply arranging multiple boards together. Board size, tooling holes, fiducials, process rails, component clearances and machine requirements all need to work together.

When the panel is designed with the production process in mind, it can make a real difference to how smoothly and reliably the boards run through assembly.

We’ve covered the key considerations in our latest article:

https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/88

Can turnkey PCBA really be delivered within four weeks?Our latest production data says yes.Across this recent batch of t...
13/08/2026

Can turnkey PCBA really be delivered within four weeks?

Our latest production data says yes.

Across this recent batch of turnkey jobs, 100% were completed within our 4-week delivery target, with lead times ranging from 9 to 27 days.

The standout was Job #235649, completed in just 9 days.

For us, the turnaround time isn't just about how quickly a board can run through an SMT line. It starts much earlier, with component sourcing, BOM and production data verification, scheduling, assembly, and testing.

Keeping those steps coordinated locally helps us reduce the delays that can come with offshore assembly and fragmented supply chains.

We're continuing to track this through our live ERP data, so we're measuring actual production performance, not just quoting a target.

For a new revision or upcoming PCBA project, send us your Ge**er files and BOM, and we'll work through the requirements with you.

👉 Read the full update and see the recent production results:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/87

Another step forward in our PCB manufacturing capabilities. ⚙️We’ve recently added a new precision rework station to our...
12/08/2026

Another step forward in our PCB manufacturing capabilities. ⚙️
We’ve recently added a new precision rework station to our production floor, giving our team greater control when working on detailed PCB rework and component-level requirements.

For us, it’s not about adding equipment for the sake of it. It’s about having the right tools in place to handle more complex assemblies, improve process control, and maintain the quality standards our customers expect.

The new station provides a dedicated working area with adjustable positioning and precision controls, supporting more controlled and repeatable rework operations.

It’s another practical investment in our manufacturing capability – helping us deliver better outcomes from the production floor.

Read the full update:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/86

At first glance, some areas of a PCB can look unfinished or unused.In reality, these features are intentionally designed...
04/08/2026

At first glance, some areas of a PCB can look unfinished or unused.

In reality, these features are intentionally designed to improve manufacturing quality, testing, and long-term product reliability.

Here are five examples you'll find on many printed circuit boards:

• Mounting Holes – Secure the PCB inside its enclosure using screws or standoffs.

• Vias – Connect electrical signals between different copper layers.

• Fiducial Marks – Provide reference points for SMT machine vision during automated assembly.

• Test Points – Enable electrical testing, inspection, and troubleshooting throughout manufacturing.

• Solder Mask Openings – Expose copper only where soldering or electrical contact is required.

Good PCB design isn't only about placing components. Every feature is there for a reason, helping improve manufacturability, assembly accuracy, inspection, and long-term product reliability.

Interested in more PCB design and electronics manufacturing insights? Read more from our team:
👉 https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/85

Which of these PCB features do you think is most overlooked?

SMT, SMD, and THT are often mentioned together, but they don't mean the same thing.Understanding the difference helps en...
22/07/2026

SMT, SMD, and THT are often mentioned together, but they don't mean the same thing.

Understanding the difference helps engineers, designers, buyers, and manufacturers communicate more accurately throughout the PCB assembly process.

🔹 SMT (Surface Mount Technology) is the assembly technology where electronic components are mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). It enables highly automated, high-speed production and supports compact electronic designs.

🔹 SMD (Surface Mount Device) refers to the electronic components designed specifically for SMT assembly, including chip resistors, MLCC capacitors, ICs, LEDs, transistors, and many other surface-mount packages.

🔹 THT (Through-Hole Technology) is the assembly technology where component leads are inserted into plated through-holes before soldering, providing excellent mechanical strength for connectors, transformers, and other high-reliability applications.

Modern electronic products often combine SMT and THT to achieve the right balance of manufacturing efficiency, electrical performance, and mechanical durability.

Which technology do you work with most – SMT, THT, or a combination of both?

🔍 Want a deeper understanding of these PCB assembly technologies and when each is used? Explore our latest article for a more detailed breakdown and practical insights.

Read it here:
https://on-track.com.au/pages/news/84

Not every SMD aluminum electrolytic capacitor tells its story in the same way.A few markings on the top of the can can r...
21/07/2026

Not every SMD aluminum electrolytic capacitor tells its story in the same way.

A few markings on the top of the can can reveal its capacitance, voltage rating, series, and polarity, but interpreting them correctly starts with understanding what each marking represents.

One important point is that marking systems can vary between manufacturers. That's why it's always good practice to verify the component against the manufacturer's datasheet before selecting a replacement or approving a substitute.

🔍Engineering Tip: Don't rely on a printed minus (−) symbol alone. Many SMD aluminum electrolytic capacitors identify the negative terminal using only the black polarity stripe, while others also include a minus symbol. Always confirm polarity using the manufacturer's datasheet before installation or replacement.

Whether you're troubleshooting a PCB, sourcing replacement components, or supporting production, knowing how to read these markings can help reduce errors and speed up component identification.

We've put together this quick reference to make the process a little easier.

To learn more about our electronics manufacturing capabilities and engineering expertise, visit:
👉 https://lnkd.in/gwjkhxUM

Have you come across capacitor markings that differed from a manufacturer's usual convention? We'd be interested to hear about your experience in the comments.

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Milperra, NSW

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

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+61297007000

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