Packet Digital has successfully completed a production run of 10,000 Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) for Fargo-based agricultural technology firm 701x.
The project utilized Packet Digital’s expanded Surface Mount Technology (SMT) line to assemble the PCBAs for integration into 701x’s GPS-enabled smart ear tags used for cattle herd management.
During production of the 10,000 PCBAs, Packet Digital placed approximately 870,000 components. The process achieved a Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO) rate of 3.2, indicating near-perfect quality.
This performance is largely attributed to an enhanced AOI workflow, which performs inspections both before reflow, verifying component placement and orientation, and after reflow to assess solder joint integrity. These enhancements support increased production capacity while ensuring complex designs are delivered with industry-leading quality.
Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Packet Digital, commented, “701x is a perfect example of companies our team loves to work with — cool technology, great team, and making a massive impact on Americans’ lives all over the country. As more organizations trust Packet Digital to handle their complex PCBA needs, we are continuously evolving to stay ahead of that demand. With our new SMT line expansion, we’re able to scale our production even higher, without sacrificing the world-class quality our customers expect from us.”
The production milestone follows a significant 2025 upgrade to Packet Digital’s SMT line, including the addition of a second pick-and-place machine and an Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) system. The expansion doubled component placement throughput to up to 50,000 components per hour, increased overall line capacity, and enabled enhanced inspection at multiple stages of the assembly process.
Braydon Love, VP of Research and Development at 701x, stated, “Packet Digital has been an incredible local partner for 701x. Their state-of-the-art SMT and inspection capabilities consistently deliver some of the highest-quality PCB assemblies we’ve worked with. Having a trusted manufacturing partner in the same city provides a significant strategic advantage — from faster turnaround times to seamless communication and logistics.”
Love added, “What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that it’s built on the great people and strong businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area. There’s a unique level of trust, work ethic, and collaboration here that directly translates into better outcomes for our customers. We value the partnership and look forward to continuing to grow together.”
