Technology Center

The PCB Technology Center is located near Buffalo, New York and near Niagara Falls. This 100,000 sq. ft. (9290 sq. m.) facility houses all of the necessary personnel and resources for marketing, sales, engineering, production, and testing of our vast product line. To insure the highest level of quality, all processes are performed under an approved quality system, which is in compliance with International Quality Standard ISO 9001. How does this benefit our customers?

It is our firm belief that this extensive investment allows us to control the entire product development cycle and better handle customer inquiries, delivery requirements, product stocking, product quality, and unique sensor customization situations. The photographs shown below will take you on a brief tour through our facility.

The modern facility architecture greets visitors on our 6-acre site near Buffalo, New York. The original building, which was approximately one third of the current size, was erected in 1980. Since that time, three additions have been added in order to meet the increasing demand for piezoelectric sensors. The latest addition, approximately 30,000 sq. ft. (2087 sq. m.), was completed in early 1999 and houses the IMI (Industrial Monitoring Instrumentation) Division of PCB.

Applications Engineers and Customer Service Representatives are readily available to offer technical assistance and have on-line access to order processing, work in-process, product tracking, and stocked inventory databases. Our 24 Hour "SensorLine" typifies our commitment to customer service. Our team of sales personnel can be reached by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing the main factory number: 716-684-0001.

Design Engineers utlize the latest computer-aided design techniques such as finite element analysis, dynamic simulation routines, and electrical modeling software to optimize performance, improve product quality, and reduce design cycle time. In addition to specific customer requirements, design characteristics such as ruggedness, accuracy, quality, and cost are optimized to meet application requirements.

Our in-house machine shop relies on high-precision, computer-controlled, dual spindle lathes to produce exact tolerance parts, which are essential to high quality dynamic sensing instrumentation. Automated wire EDM (electrical discharge machining) machines run round-the-clock to produce complex geometry parts. For lower volume parts often required for customized products, experienced machinists use traditional techniques to craft high quality parts. Equipment is available to perform most metal working operations such as turning, cutting, milling, lapping, forming, grinding, polishing, stamping, and heat treating.

While mechanical parts are being machined, skilled engineers and technicians design and assemble the microelectronic circuits for implementation into our ICP^® sensors. Unique components such as 1 trillion-ohm resistors, low-noise die form transistors, 1 mil diameter gold wire, 1% tolerance capacitors, and miniature alumina substrates are combined under a microscope using ultrasonic wire bonders. The quality of these completed microelectronic circuits are monitored using pull testers to verify bond strength and analyzers to check gain, insulation resistance, and frequency response.

Trained personnel combine the mechanical and electrical components to form the piezoelectric sensor. Laminar flow workstations are used to maintain a clean mini-environment, insuring the sensors are free from contamination. Also, strict ESD (electrostatic discharge) precautions, such as the use of grounded workstations, coated floors and shielded coats, are utlized to prevent damage to the electrical components during assembly.

After initial assembly, the sensors are hermetically sealed using laser and electronbeam welders to insure reliability and long-term stability. It is this critical process that allows our sensors to be used in dirty environments, underwater or in outer space. As a last assembly step, automated laser markers permanently etch identification and other critical information on the sensor housing.

In parallel with sensor production, electrical technicians assemble printed circuit boards and combine them with metal work to produce signal conditioners, such as vibration meters, charge amplifiers, source followers, and rack mount power supplies. A wave soldering machine supports thru-hole technology, while reflow ovens and rework stations are used for assembling surface mount components.

Quality control personnel and calibration technicians calibrate each sensor and signal conditioner according to a controlled specification / procedure to insure quality workmanship and that the products are free from defects. These tests are done using NIST traceable instrumentation in compliance with ISO 10012-1 (former MIL-STD-45662A) and other applicable standards.

Finally, products are matched with customer purchase orders and packaged using rugged enclosures, ESD safe materials, and environmentally friendly / biodegradable packing filler. Urgent priority shipments and even same-day delivery requests are available to meet your emergency test requirements.

At PCB, we are extremely proud of the resources we have available. This extensive investment provides us with complete control over the entire sales, design, and production processes. The end result is a high quality product coupled with outstanding customer service. Before finalizing a contract with any sensor manufacturer, we recommend you visit their facility to get an appreciation for their true capabilities. For this reason, you are invited to visit the PCB technology center whenever you are in the Buffalo / Niagara Falls area.