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PCB Prototyping

PCB Prototyping- Best Practices for Fast and Accurate Results

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When designing a printed circuit board the prototyping process is one of the most important steps. It’s essential to get it right the first time so that the end product meets all of your specifications. To ensure fast and accurate results in this case, you must follow certain best practices. From choosing the right design software to properly testing the boards, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get the most out of your PCB prototyping projects.

Use the Correct Board Material

When it comes to PCB prototyping, selecting the right board material is crucial. The type of material you choose can impact the board’s durability, and performance. Some materials are more prone to overheating or warping, while others may be more conductive or have better insulating properties.

One popular option for PCB prototyping is fiberglass. It is a relatively low-cost material and can provide good insulation properties. It is also ideal for single-sided boards. However, it may not be the best option for more complex designs.

For multi-layered boards, you may want to consider a material like FR4. This type of material is more expensive but provides better durability and stability, which is critical for high-performance circuit boards.

Before selecting your board material, you must consider the specifications of your design, including the application, environment, and electrical properties you require. Don’t be afraid to consult with PC Board experts to help determine which material is the best fit for your project.

Using the right board material is just one of the many best practices to consider when it comes to PCB prototyping. By following these tips, you can achieve faster, more accurate outcomes and set yourself up for success in your PCB design projects.

Invest in Quality Components

When it comes to circuit board prototyping, investing in high-quality components is crucial to achieving fast and accurate results. While it may be tempting to cut costs by using cheaper parts, this can lead to several issues down the line, from malfunctioning circuits to reduced durability.

Using quality components ensures that your circuit board will function properly and last longer, saving you time and money in the long run. You must find the components that have been tested and verified to meet industry standards and specifications.

Another benefit of using high-quality components is that they are less likely to fail during testing, reducing the need for repairs or replacements. This not only saves you time but also minimizes the risk of damaging other components or causing additional issues with the circuit board.

Make Sure Your Board Design is Complete and Accurate

Before starting your PCB prototyping project, you must ensure that your board design is complete and accurate. This step may seem obvious, but it is often overlooked, resulting in errors and the waste of time and money.

Start by double-checking your PCB design for errors, missing connections, or any other issues. Use reliable design software and go over your schematic and layout files thoroughly. Get a second pair of eyes to review your design before moving forward with prototyping.

Another best practice is to perform a Design Rule Check (DRC). This automated check ensures that your board meets the minimum manufacturing requirements. A DRC can identify potential errors, such as overlapping pads, inconsistent track widths, or drill holes that are too small or too close to each other.

If your board design has multiple layers, it is crucial to verify that your stack-up is correct and that the signal integrity is maintained. You can use a simulation tool to predict and optimize the electrical performance of your board.

Follow the Data Sheet

Following the datasheet is essential to achieving accurate and reliable results while PCB prototyping. The data sheet contains crucial information about the board’s electrical characteristics, material properties, and manufacturing specifications.

The data sheet typically contains the following information:

  • PCB layer stack-up and dimensions
  • Minimum and maximum board thickness
  • Trace and via size, spacing, and clearance
  • Impedance requirements
  • Material composition and properties
  • Surface finish options
  • Solder mask and silkscreen specifications
  • Thermal management guidelines

Such a practice can ensure that your PCB prototype meets the manufacturer’s specifications, as well as any relevant industry standards. Failure to follow the datasheet can result in design flaws, manufacturing errors, and functionality issues.

Moreover, you should communicate with your PCB manufacturer if you have any questions or concerns about the datasheet. A reputable manufacturer has a team of experts who can guide you throughout the prototyping process. So, following the datasheet is the best practice for fast and accurate PCB prototyping.

Make Test Points Accessible

Make sure that the test points are easily accessible. This helps have easy testing and debugging of the PCB during the prototype stage.

Test points are small metal points on the board where you can attach the testing equipment to measure the voltage. You can find them near components to be tested. By making them easily accessible, you can avoid having to take the board apart or maneuver equipment to access them. You should consider this factor during the design phase. Ideally, you should choose unobstructed areas. You should also consider adding extra test points to ensure thorough testing of the entire board.

Moreover, you should consider the size and type of test points to use. Small test points can be difficult to use, while larger test points can take up more space on the board. You should also consider the technology, such as surface mount or through-hole.

By making test points accessible during the prototyping phase, you can save time and ensure accurate results. It can also help to identify any issues with the board early on in the development process, helping in easier debugging and revisions.

Consider Your Assembly Options
After the PCB prototype process, comes the assembly. There are several assembly options available, and you should consider which one is best for your particular project.

One option is hand assembly, which involves soldering components to the board by hand. This method is cost-effective and works well for small-scale production runs, but it is time-consuming and may result in inconsistencies.

Another option is automated PCB assembly, which involves using machines to place components onto the board. This method is efficient and accurate, but it may be more expensive and more suitable for larger production runs.

You should also consider whether you want your board to be surface-mount or through-hole. Surface-mount components are smaller and lighter, making them ideal for compact designs. However, through-hole components can provide a stronger mechanical bond and are ideal for larger components or those that require high voltage.

Make sure to consider the assembly options before finalizing your PCB design and prototyping process. This will help ensure that the end product meets your expectations and requirements.

Don’t Forget the Silkscreen

When it comes to printed circuit board prototyping, people often overlook the importance of the silkscreen. The silkscreen is the layer of ink on top of the PCB that indicates component placement, orientation, and other important information. It may seem like a minor detail, but an accurate silkscreen can save a lot of time and confusion during the assembly process.

First and foremost, make sure your silkscreen is complete. This means double-checking that all component labels are correct and aligned properly with their respective pads. Make sure there are no overlapping labels or missing information.

Next, consider the size and color of the silkscreen. A too-small or too-light font may be difficult to read, especially for those with vision impairments. Conversely, a font that is too large or too dark can clutter the board.

Finally, be mindful of the placement of the silkscreen. It should not cover up any important traces or pads. Besides, it should not interfere with any assembly processes or inspection.

Final Thoughts

Prototyping printed circuit boards is a complex and time-consuming process, but with the right techniques, it doesn’t have to be. If you want to ensure fast and accurate results, you must follow best practices, in this case. Investing in quality components is an essential step in achieving fast and accurate PCB prototyping outcomes. Don’t compromise on quality to save a few bucks as it will end up costing you more in the long run. Also, make sure that your board design is complete and accurate, as it will save you time and money.

Before starting your PCB prototype, you should thoroughly review and understand the data sheet provided by the manufacturer. It ensures that your design meets the manufacturer’s specifications and industry standards, preventing errors and functionality issues. Also, don’t hesitate to consult with your prototype pcb manufacturer if you have any concerns about the datasheet.

Also, remember the importance of the silkscreen when prototyping your PCB. A well-designed silkscreen can improve the overall functionality and aesthetics of the PCB. Make sure to choose the right font and color, and be mindful of placement. A little attention to detail can go a long way in the success of your PCB prototyping project.

Would like to know more about PCB prototyping or printed circuit board assembly? Email us at sales@pnconline.com

Bill of Materials Management In PCB Design Process

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Managing the Bill of Materials in the PCB design process can be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. Luckily, there are ways to make this process easier and more efficient. So, we will explore how to streamline BOM management in design so that you can save time and money. You will learn the best practices for maintaining an accurate BOM, methods for keeping track of changes, and tips for improving the overall design process. With these strategies, you can produce high-quality products faster and more effectively.

The Different Types of BOM

The BOM (Bill of Materials) is a document that lists all the parts, components, and materials that a product’s manufacturing requires. This includes all the parts used in assembling a product, such as the PCBs, capacitors, resistors, integrated circuits, etc. every industry needs the BOM, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and medical devices.

There are different types of BOMs, and the most common type is the pcb assembly BOM, which is used for producing products on an assembly line. This type of BOM contains detailed specifications and component information, such as the component type, quantity, and vendor information.

Another type of BOM is the engineering BOM, which is essential for design purposes and contains details about each component, such as electrical ratings, tolerances, and sizes.

The third type is the service BOM, which is necessary to keep track of spare parts or to identify which components need repair or replacement.

No matter what type of BOM you use, you should have an accurate and up-to-date list of all the parts used in the design and production process. Without an accurate list, you could end up with incorrect parts involving extra work while repairing or replacing them. Having a thorough understanding of the different types of BOMs will ensure that you can properly manage your products and design processes.

The BOM Management Process

Managing your BOMs correctly can help ensure that your designs are accurate and complete. Besides, it will minimize any potential errors or problems that could arise during the fabrication and assembly process.

The BOM management process typically begins with designing the PCB. This includes determining the parts that you will need for the design it also helps determine the components and their connections.  Once the design is complete, you can create a BOM that outlines all the essential components and connections. The BOM should also include certain information, such as part numbers, descriptions, quantities, and other relevant details.

After creating the BOM, you have to send it to the manufacturer for review and approval. This step ensures that the manufacturer can accurately produce the board with all of the required components. After the review is complete and the BOM has been approved, you can send it to the supplier for ordering.

Throughout the entire process, it’s important to stay organized and maintain accurate records. This includes tracking changes to the BOM, ensuring that the parts are available and compatible with the design, and regularly updating the BOM as you require.

With a well-managed BOM system in place, it’s much easier to keep track of all of the components and connections in your design and ensure that everything is correct and up to date.

Having this level of detail and organization allows you to quickly troubleshoot any issues that may arise throughout the manufacturing process. Besides, having accurate BOM data makes it easier to identify discrepancies between what you ordered and what you received from the suppliers.

The most effective way to manage your BOMs is to use software specifically designed for this purpose. There are many different options available on the market today, so you should do some research to determine which one best fits your needs. These tools allow you to create detailed and organized BOMs quickly and easily, as well as keep track of changes over time. Moreover, some of these programs come with features like automated bill creation and interactive reports, making it even easier to manage your projects.

By streamlining your BOM management process through software solutions, you’ll save time and money in the long run.

Best Practices for BOM Management

BOM management is an important part of any PCB design process. To ensure accuracy and consistency, there are some best practices to follow when managing BOMs.

  1. Start Early: Starting the BOM early in the design process allows for errors to be identified and corrected quickly. It also gives the design team time to make any necessary changes before the board goes into production.
  2. Update Frequently: It’s important to keep the BOM updated as the design changes. Make sure the BOM reflects the changes like replacement or removal of any component.
  3. Use Automation: Automating the BOM management process can help reduce errors and save time. You can use the automation tools such as software or scripts to generate, update, and manage the BOM.
  4. Keep Records: Keeping records of all BOMs throughout the design process allows for quick reference and helps identify any inconsistencies.
  5. Maintain Accuracy: The accuracy of the BOM is essential for the success of a PCB design. Check for any errors or typos in the BOM before sending it out for production.

Following these best practices for BOM management will ensure accuracy and efficiency in your design process. By implementing these practices early on in the design process. You can avoid costly mistakes and delays that can arise from using outdated or inaccurate BOMs.

Having accurate BOMs helps during testing and post-production analysis since they provide an accurate inventory of components used during manufacture. With proper BOM management processes in place, you’ll be able to complete projects faster while still producing high-quality products.

During the development stage, designers should always check the BOM against their schematic diagram to verify accuracy and compliance with industry standards. This verification process should take place after every step of the design process. Moreover, you should conduct it according to industry regulations.

When assembling the Printed Circuit Board, you should double-check the components against the BOM to ensure that nothing is missing. The testing should also involve verifying that all parts meet the specifications listed on the BOM.

After completing the design and assembly process, you should have one final review against the original BOM to make sure everything matches. Implementing these practices into your workflow will help streamline your bill of materials management. Eventually, it will result in a successful PCB project.

 What Else To Consider

In addition to knowing the different types of BOMs, there are some other things to follow when managing them.

For example, always check the validity of any part numbers provided on the BOM. It is also wise to provide clear descriptions for any custom parts or non-standard items included in the list.

Furthermore, make sure any drawings or schematics referenced on the BOM are current and accurately reflect any changes made throughout the design process.

Also, carefully review any cross-references provided between components, especially if any of those components become obsolete or unavailable during the product life cycle.

By following these best practices, you will be able to streamline your bill of materials management in design. Doing so will make sure that any components specified are valid and accurately reflect any changes made during the design process, ultimately saving time and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BOM?

BOM means the bill of materials, and it is a document that lists all the parts, components, and materials that a product’s manufacturing requires.

What Is There In BOM Of A PCB?

A BOM includes all the parts used in assembling a PCB, such as capacitors, resistors, integrated circuits, etc.

What is a PC Board?

A printed circuit board or PCB is a way to provide signals to help an electronic device to function. It gives mechanical support to various parts of electronics.

What Is Schematic Drawing In PCB?

A PCB schematic is a diagram with symbols that define different components. It also shows the electrical connection of components.

What Are The Benefits Of BOM Management?

Maintaining accurate BOMs throughout the entire design cycle can help improve product quality. Moreover, if a project has multiple designers working on it, having well-maintained BOMs with each revision ensures everyone is up-to-date with the latest version.

Wrap Up

When it comes to design, Bill of Materials (BOM) management is an essential part of the process. There are different types of BOMs, and the most common type is the manufacturing BOM, which is used for producing products on an assembly line. This type of BOM contains detailed specifications and component information, such as the component type, quantity, and vendor information.

Using automation tools for BOM management can also speed up processes by making it easier to track components and changes. After creating the BOM, you have to send it to the manufacturer for review and approval. This step ensures that the manufacturer can accurately produce the board with all of the required components.

Would like to know more about the Bill of Materials Management in the Design process or printed circuit board assembly? Email us at sales@pnconline.com

The Necessity and Benefits of ECAD-MCAD Collaboration for PCB Design

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When it comes to creating high-quality printed circuit boards, ECAD and MCAD collaboration is essential. PCB designers use ECAD or electronic computer-aided design for the circuit design. Whereas MCAD or mechanical computer-aided design is used for the mechanical design. By combining these two disciplines, PCB design can ensure that their products meet both the electrical and mechanical requirements of the application.

Designers should also conduct thermal and structural analyses to evaluate temperature and stress levels that might affect the performance of the Printed Circuit Board. This information helps designers to determine the optimal placement and routing of the components. It also accounts for any potential constraints caused by physical environmental conditions.

What is ECAD (Electronic Computer-Aided Design)

ECAD stands for Electronic Computer-Aided Design, and it refers to the use of computer software to create electronic designs. You can use ECAD to design components such as integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and semiconductor devices. With ECAD, engineers can model their circuit designs digitally before they move onto the physical prototyping stage.

ECAD also helps in the automation of various design processes, such as simulations, signal analysis, and device layout. Ultimately, ECAD tools help engineers optimize the design of their circuits to achieve higher performance, faster development cycles, and cost savings.

However, ECAD alone does not provide a complete design solution for PCBs; mechanical elements must be there for the board to function correctly and meet its intended purpose. That’s where MCAD comes in.

What Are The Benefits Of ECAD-MCAD Collaboration? 

ECAD-MCAD collaboration is necessary for successful design. The combination of both software help to improve product development, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Using the collaboration between ECAD and MCAD to create a comprehensive product design helps to ensure that the finished product will meet all requirements, both mechanical and electrical.

The combination of ECAD and MCAD also helps to minimize development time. By understanding both the electronic and mechanical aspects of the design, engineers can make decisions about components and designs without spending time on redesigns. Moreover, it can help reduce costs by eliminating the need to produce multiple prototypes or use more expensive materials.

Moreover, ECAD-MCAD collaboration can also be beneficial when creating drawings for a PC Board layout. The 3D model created by MCAD provides a better understanding of the overall PCB design and allows engineers to optimize their layouts more effectively. This ensures that the finished product meets all requirements and reduces the development time.

How Does ECAD-MCAD Collaboration Improve Design?

One of the primary benefits of ECAD-MCAD collaboration is that it allows designers to quickly check for any potential interferences between components that could cause problems in the final product. This makes the design process much more efficient since you can detect the problems before they become costly issues down the line.

ECAD-MCAD collaboration also allows designers to accurately predict the performance of the PCB by simulating its behavior in a virtual environment. By running simulations, designers can determine how their design will react to different environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and electrical noise. This helps to ensure that the design will function properly in its intended application.

In addition to providing performance insights, such collaboration can also improve the manufacturability of printed circuit boards. By incorporating mechanical parts into the design, designers can ensure that all components fit together correctly, reducing the need for manual adjustments during production. This not only saves time and money, but it also helps to ensure a higher quality end product.

Such collaboration is essential for producing successful PCB designs. By combining the two design processes, manufacturers can easily create efficient and effective products with minimal risk of failure. With the help of simulation and analysis tools, designers can also accurately predict the performance and manufacturability of their PCBs before committing to full production.

Thermal and Structural CAD-CAE Integration

By combining the ECAD and MCAD, engineers can gain an understanding of how electrical components interact with the physical environment. This is easy to accomplish through CAD-CAE integration, where complex system simulations and analysis are possible by using both ECAD and MCAD data. You can conduct thermal and structural analysis to evaluate temperature and stress levels that might affect the performance of the PCB. This information helps designers to determine the optimal placement and routing of the components. It also helps to explain any potential constraints caused by physical and environmental conditions.

Overall, the ECAD-MCAD collaboration offers improved accuracy, reliability, and efficiency when it comes to designing a PCB. By combining the capabilities of both ECAD and MCAD systems, engineers can create sophisticated designs that will meet both the mechanical and electrical requirements of their applications. Through CAD-CAE integration, designers can also perform tests on the PCB to evaluate its performance in the actual environment. Ultimately, ECAD-MCAD collaboration is essential for successful PCB design.

Collaboration between Altium Designer and Solidworks

If you are looking for an easier and more efficient way to design PCBs, consider combining Altium Designer and SolidWorks. These two powerful tools can help streamline your design process, helping you to create intricate PCBs with greater speed and accuracy. We will discuss how to effectively use Altium Designer and SolidWorks together to optimize your PCB design process.

The Benefits of Using Altium Designer with Solidworks

Using Altium Designer and SolidWorks in tandem can help streamline the PCB design process. Altium Designer is an industry-leading PCB design platform, offers a range of powerful features for the design, simulation, and output of schematic drawings, layouts, and more. SolidWorks is a powerful 3D CAD modeling program that provides tools for creating realistic 3D models of your boards.

By using Altium Designer and SolidWorks together, designers can reduce time spent on the manual entry of data, ensure a greater level of accuracy throughout the design process, and maximize design efficiency. With Altium Designer, you can easily create schematics and layouts based on existing 3D models created in SolidWorks. The software also allows designers to add components directly to the board layout, making it easier to quickly build out complex boards.

Altium Designer also offers advanced simulation capabilities, allowing you to simulate your boards in both static and dynamic scenarios. This makes it easier to troubleshoot potential problems before committing to the physical design. Additionally, the software provides a comprehensive set of tools for generating manufacturing files from the design, making it easy to bring the board into production.

Overall, by combining Altium Designer with SolidWorks, designers can benefit from a faster, more accurate design process with fewer opportunities for errors. This streamlined process can save time and resources during the design process, helping companies get their products to market faster.

How To Set Up The Collaboration Between The Two Software Programs

Setting up a collaboration between Altium Designer and SolidWorks is easy, and it can provide significant benefits to your design process. You should have both programs installed on your computer. Then follow the below steps which will help you set up the collaboration between Altium Designer and SolidWorks:

  • Launch both programs and open the documents that you want to collaborate on.
  • In SolidWorks, go to Tools > Add-Ins > Altium Designer Interface.
  • Click “Connect” to begin the connection process.
  • Select which components of the SolidWorks document you want to export to Altium Designer.
  • In Altium Designer, go to File > Import > 3D Models from SolidWorks.
  • Select the model that you want to import and click “Open”.
  • The model will be imported into Altium Designer and you can begin designing your PCB layout with the imported model.

Using these steps, you can easily set up a collaboration between Altium Designer and SolidWorks, allowing you to streamline your design process and take advantage of the features offered by both programs.

So, such collaboration offers numerous benefits to PCB designers. It helps to create comprehensive product designs that are functional and aesthetically pleasing, while also reducing development time and cost. By utilizing the collaboration between ECAD and MCAD, designers can create better PCB layouts that meet all requirements and optimize the product design process.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to designing printed circuit boards, the collaboration between electrical computer-aided design (ECAD) and mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) is essential for success. By integrating ECAD and MCAD, engineers can ensure the PCB design is accurate, efficient, and cost-effective.

ECAD provides the electronic schematic diagrams and component placements, while MCAD takes care of the mechanical parts of the design, such as housing dimensions and materials. By combining these two disciplines, the designer can create a complete product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Through CAD-CAE integration, designers can also perform tests on the printed circuit board to evaluate its performance in the actual environment. Ultimately, ECAD-MCAD collaboration is essential for successful PCB design.

Would like to know more about the ECAD and MCAD or Circuit board fabrication? Email us at sales@pnconline.com

smt-assembly

SMT Assembly and Thru-Hole/Chip Functionality

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Printed circuit boards are parts of various electronic devices, home appliances, and vehicles. The function of these green chips depends on their material and assembly technology. Each step of PCB assembly is important and needs careful processing considering essential features.
Two methods are popular in PCBA, including, MT and THT. Let’s study them in detail.

Through-Hole Technology (THT)

Traditional PCB has through whole technology, involving both automatic and manual processes. THT is PCB packaging technology that involves pins or leads, besides, you have to insert the chips in the PCB through holes, soldering from below. The technique gives it the name through-hole.
Through-hole technology was more in practice till 1980 and every PCB device had this technology. Then SMT emerged where chips are installed on the surface. However, some PCBs still need through-hole chips, like capacitors and resistors.
THT needs more drilling, however, the device with this technology has a durable bonding with the circuit board.
Let’s look at the important steps of THT.

Installation Of Components

Engineers place PCB components with their hands, however, it needs precision depending on the design.
PCB Inspection
PCB inspection is crucial because most devices need flawless PCBs to work well. Most of the through-hole process is manual, so you have to make sure that the assembly is without any mistakes.
Printed Circuit Board Soldering
Soldering of components is also important as you have to fix the components manually. This is the last part of assembly, and the manual work makes it more reliable than SMT.

Why Is THT Still In Use?

Though THT is an old PCBA technology, you still need it for certain reasons, such as:

  • Even a hobbyist can assemble a circuit board with THT by using a soldering iron. It involves less hassle because the holes are away from surface pads compared to SMT.
  • If you observe a hobbyist application of the THT circuit board, you will see the ICs with the 8 or 14-pin having centers up to 0.100”xp.300”. Sometimes even the DIP processors have such spacing between the holes that helps in manual soldering, making the PC Board assembly easier.
  • After assembly, the troubleshooting or revision reduces in THT because it does not involve bridges between the pins, be it single or multiple components.
  • THT has better professional assembly, especially when a project is at a prototype stage. You can apply the through holes in a prototype layout to assemble the board faster.
  • After evaluating the board function, you can swap in the SMT having the same value, revising the circuit board’s layout. The new layout has small footprints to be inspected before final production. Such techniques reduce the front cost of a project which can benefit a subcontractor.

Remember that small products demand more pricing from outside vendors as they prefer high-volume production for continuous machine work.

Benefits Of Through-Hole Technology

  • When it comes to PCB design revision, a through-hole technology doesn’t need to create an additional solder stencil. So, manufacturers can save a huge amount of money on a PCB design having 2 to 3 revisions before it is ready to use. Besides, you don’t have to arrange the equipment for the pick and place function.
  • The manual inspection of a small lot of printed circuit boards reduces the fixture expenses or any other cost regarding linked setups.
  • Soldering is also cheap in THT, such as the tin-lead solder. Besides the issue of HASL or hot air solder leveling does not occur in through-hole technology, unlike SMT where the HASL makes it hard to place the components having a precise pitch.
  • You can easily assess the mechanical faults, including twists, and warps, and can deal with them while redesigning without affecting the assembly as what happens in SMT. Issues like twist and warp are not as problematic in manual assembly as in SMT.
  • The hand assembly of a PCB helps fit hard components by changing the wrist angle. Whereas the automated assembly needs an extremely flat circuit board for proper functioning.
  • THT can help pinpoint mechanical faults before it gets hard to resolve them. Otherwise, the inspection becomes costly when it has to go into the hands of three persons, including you, the contract assembler, and the PCB Manufacturer.
  • The components for THT are easily accessible that keep the job going without interruption. Moreover, you don’t need a third-party assembly in the case of small production.
  • With THT, the project timeline is predictable and easy to manage with minimum issues without causing any production delays.
  • Even if you don’t want to prefer a through-hole assembly, you must consider it as a temporary solution at early stages like validation and development. So, it can benefit anyone, including a hobbyist, any established company, or a beginner in this industry.

Surface Mount Technology-Surface Mount Chip

Surface mount assembly and SMT is other popular PCB assembly technology. It is an advanced method involving automation. Besides, it is ideal for smart PCBs that today’s smart devices need.
As the name shows, PCB components are directly installed on its top surface, whereas the device having a surface mount technology is called SMD. You can say that traditional through-hole technology is being replaced by surface mount assembly.
However, through-hole technology is still in practice for big transformers or power semiconductors as their components are not compatible with SMT. Likewise, many other heavy electronic devices with heat sinks need through-hole PCBs.
Surface mount technology has more positive aspects than negative pros, so let’s discuss them in detail.

Positive Aspects Of Surface-Mount Technology

SMT Involves Minimal Surface: The component area, volume, and size in an SMT are 70% less than the component area in through-hole technology. Even the component area can become 90% less than its volume in a traditional PCB having a through-hole technology. Likewise, the overall weight of the PCB reduces, as the components’ weight reduces by 70 to 90%.
It Enhances The Signal Speed: a PCB assembled with SMT has a fast signal transmission due to a short circuit. The assembly density in such technology can go up to 5.5~20 solder joints in one square centimeter, like when there is paste on both sides of the PCB. Similarly, a PCB with SMT has a high impact and vibration resistance that helps create high-speed electronic devices.
Excellent Frequency: In SMT, the board has either no lead or it is very small which reduces its parameters, decreasing the interference in terms of RF. It means that the PCB gets high-frequency signals, and the device having it works faster.
Minimum Packaging Cost: when it comes to an SMT packaging price, you will see it much lower than THT. Since surface-mount technology involves effective production tools, the usage of packaging material reduces thus cutting down its cost. However, the decrease in the cost does not affect the quality of an SMT circuit board.
You don’t have to bend or cut the component leads in the SMT boards which reduce the assembly time, making production faster than THT. So, the production cost also reduces by 50% as the manufacturing process of SMT is quite simple.

Additional Info

In SMT, the solder paste is applied with a stencil printer that helps finish a raw board better and faster than a traditional method. In other words, you get fineness in an automated assembly.
The installation of the components becomes easier, as solder paste makes everything clear due to printing. Each SMT process is well-inspected that helps have accuracy.
In SMT, the process of reflow soldering also makes a circuit board highly durable. In reflow soldering, the technician places the circuit board under high temperature to melt and reshape the paste, making it permanent. You can use both reflow soldering and automation or can switch from one to another, depending on your needs.
The important thing is to design and assemble a PC Board considering all the dos and don’ts and have a flawless end product.

Some Negative Aspects Of SMT Assembly

Surface-mount technology is not full of benefits, instead, it has some drawbacks, such as:

  • It has less power
  • It is vulnerable to damage
  • SMT requires high-quality soldering because poor soldering can lead to leakage, tombstoning, bridging, and several other risks.
  • It involves delicate installation, resulting in dropped components.
  • Its inspection is hard, especially, the visual test as it has multiple types of solder joints.
  • The equipment cost is high.
  • It involves well-trained technicians that increase the learning expenses.
  • It needs consistent updates of assembly equipment due to fast development.

Final Thoughts

Printed circuit boards involve different assembly techniques, including a through-hole technology, and a surface-mount technology. The component area, volume, and size in an SMT are 70% less than the component area in through-hole technology.
When it comes to PCB design revision, a through-hole technology doesn’t need to create an additional solder stencil. So, manufacturers can save a huge amount of money on a PCB design having 2 to 3 revisions before it is ready to use.
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Six Basic PCB Design Principles

Six Basic PCB Design Principles

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Printed circuit boards are vital parts of smart devices and several equipments as they provide current or electrical signals to run them. You need different elements to construct a PCB, such as:

  • Schematic design
  • Database login
  • Electronic component configuration
  • Design preparation
  • Wiring
  • Block division
  • Testing

If any issue happens during a process, you have to go back to the previous process to correct it. The layout of PCB components is a complex thin as it determines a board\s appearance and neatness. Moreover, it also affects the function of the end product or device. We will discuss below the six basic PCB design principles in terms of its components and other factors.

1-Components Layout and Clearance

You have to place the components evenly on the board, leaving some space on the edges. The components around the edge should be 3mm away from PCB edges. In general, designers leave 5 to 10 mm space around the edges.

The components should be only on a board’s one side. There should be a separate pad for each lead pin.

Don’t cross up and down the components’ layout and keep a certain distance between the nearby components on the board. However, this distance should not be too small as it can hinder PCB maintenance.

Components should be installed at a low height and its lead should not be more than 5mm away from the PCB, as it can affect its quality to bear vibration.

Printed Circuit Board components that reside on a pad’s both ends must be a bit larger than their axial dimensions. The pads should be located where the coordinate grid intersects. The central distance of the pad has to be more than the board thickness to have a neat layout.

According to IEC or International Electrotechnical Commission, the standard spacing of the coordinate grid should be 2.54mm, whereas the axillary spacing should be 1.27mm.

However, these standards practically impact a few processes, including automatic drilling, computer automated design, components welding, and automatic assembly. But, such a grid spacing is not restricted in the case of manual drilling.

2-Defined Solder Mask

Solder mask expansion should be well-defined as it can cause issues if you over-define or under-define it. Tombstoning may happen if you don’t define the solder mask properly. Like, one side cools down faster than another side, affecting the board. So, by following the right parameters, you won’t have to revise your design.

The solder mask opening should be larger than the pad. In general, it expands 4 mils or 0.1mm. However, both can also have the same size, depending on the Printed Circuit board Fabrication.

3- Via Type& Routing Width

You must use the right via for routing as it won’t work if its diameter or ratio is not precise. The current won’t pass correctly due to fused vias. So, via styles should be considered while routing the entire PCB.

The routs should have enough width to carry the current that your device requires. You must have an impedance-controlled routing that needs various impedance profiles. You have to apply these profiles to routing widths to ensure a functional layout. Don’t have routing at an acute angle even if the signals have a low speed as acute angle hinders manufacturing. Like, an acute angle can increase the corrosion, leading to an open circuit.

Whereas it is vital to avoid the acute angle in the case of high-frequency circuits because it fully changes the track width at the corners and results in poor signals and discontinued impedance.

Six Basic PCB Design Principles
Six Basic PCB Design Principles

4-Components Installation

Different PC Board components are installed either vertically or horizontally. The horizontal components are parallel to the surface of the circuit board. Whereas in vertical installation, components are perpendicular to the PCB surface.

Vertical components allow you to have more quantity on a board’s surface. It is ideal for hearing aids, semiconductor radios, portable instruments, or devices that need a dense placement of components. For vertical installation, components have to be lightweight. Don’t install heavy components in a vertical direction as it can affect a PCB’s mechanical strength. Moreover, it causes vibration, and components can collapse, making a circuit less reliable.

On the other hand, the horizontal installation provides mechanical stability, and the circuit board also looks neat. It also helps lay down the printed wires because it enhances the elements’ span.

You can use any installation method, depending on your needs but make sure to arrange components evenly and the circuit should be anti-vibration.

5-Considering The PCB Layout Type

PCB layout has either a regular arrangement of components or is irregular. In an irregular format, the axis of the components are not aligned with each other, so it seems messy. However, it helps lay down the printed wires easily as there is no restriction of direction. Such a layout is ideal for high-frequency circuits and involves a vertical installation.

Whereas in a regular format, the component axis is aligned and either parallel or perpendicular to the sides of a PCB. It provides a neat board and makes certain processes easier, like PCB assembly, debugging, welding, maintenance, and production.

Moreover, a regular format is ideal for low-frequency circuits where the board has a few component types and its surface is loose. However, the number of components is high and such an arrangement also suits electronic instruments. But, due to the direction restrictions, such a PCB has a complex layout of wires, increasing the overall length of the wires.

6-Factors That Affect the PCB Layout

You also have to consider the factors that affect a PCB layout, like the direction of the signals, device position electromagnetic interference, thermal interference, mechanical strength, etc.

  • Generally, the direction of the signal flow is from left to right of which left is the input and right is the output. It is also from top to bottom of which the top is the input and the bottom is the output. Connectors which are in direct connection to the input and output should be close to the input and output connectors. Integrated circuits or transistors should be the core components. Whereas other components should be located according to their electrodes’ location. You should also consider the size, a number of pins, shape, and polarity of components.
  • You should adopt certain ways to prevent electromagnetic interference that occurs due to different external factors, like spatial electromagnetic ways, poor wiring, poor installation of components, etc. You can avoid these issues during the layout design. But, interference will happen if the PCB design is not right
  • You should shield the components that interfere with each other. High-frequency components should have small wiring. Similarly, the components of weak and strong currents should be separated. Wires with high potential should be at a great distance to avoid 50Hz interference. Likewise, the metal components should not be adjacent or they should be well-insulated to avoid a short circuit.
  • While designing a PCB, you must know which components are temperature sensitive and which are heat components. The heating components like resistors should be located near the shell or near vent holes to dissipate heat. Don’t place many heating components near each other. Also, use fans or radiators to prevent the rise in temperature beyond its limit.
  • Whereas the temperature-sensitive components should be away from the heat source. In general, integrated circuits, transistors, electrolytic capacitors, and thermal components are temperature sensitive. These components get affected due to the rise in temperature, especially in a circuit’s long-term operation.
  • The board should also be mechanically strong and its center of gravity should be stable. Don’t install heavy or heating components directly on the board, instead, they should be under the chassis to have a stable board. If the board size is above 200mm it will cause mechanical stress, so it should be strengthened with a mechanical frame.

Finally, many PCB design software uses the power layer to have a fast design process. You can connect more wires to ensure the current has a minimum impedance or voltage drop down, thus giving enough ground return paths.

FAQs

1.How To Layout A Printed Circuit Board?
You have to follow certain steps to create a PCB layout. Such as making the schematic drawings, developing a blank PCB layout, creating a PCB stack-up, schematic capture, defining design principles, defining DFM, linking to PCB, placement of components, inserting drill holes, and the route traces.

2.Is It Hard To Design A PCB?
It is not hard to design your PCB if the electrical schematic is right. Besides, following the design parameters also makes the design process easy.

3.Why Is My PCB Green?
The color of the solder mask determines the PCB color. So, if the solder mask is green, you say that PCB is green. The solder mask shields a copper circuit to avoid shorts circuit or soldering issues.

4.What Is The Purpose Of Following PCB Design Rules?
PCB design rules or principles help you to develop a system to automate the testing of design requirements. You get an interface between the physical and logical sides to create a circuit board. So, you can automate the DFM tests by following the rules to ensure that you can build a PCB.
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