By Steps Involved in PCB Assembly
PCB assembly is an elaborate production process that involves many steps. In order to manufacture the perfect product, it is crucial that every step in this process be performed correctly and without error. A single mistake or defect can render the entire product unusable. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, there are several steps involved in PCB assembly, including inspection and testing, solder mask application, registration holes, HASL, layer alignment, and more.
The first step in PCB assembly is component placement. Using the design blueprint as a guide, automated pick and place machines with precision robotic arms orchestrate the arrangement of surface-mount components (SMT). Each part is identified by its XY coordinates in the computer file fed to the robot, so it can be picked up by the robot arm and placed at its exact spot on the board.
After the SMT components have been properly placed, the board is passed through a reflow oven. This oven is held at a temperature around 250 Celsius, which causes the solder paste to melt into a solid metal joint on all exposed pads and pins of the board. This allows the SMT components to connect with the copper on the board. Most printed circuit board assembly designed to supply high voltage or current have a separate plane of ground connections, and the top layer’s electronic components are connected to this inner GND plane or signals layer through “Vias”.
What Are the Steps Involved in PCB Assembly?
Next, the board is rinsed in an acid solution to remove any residual resist left from the etching process. It is then sanded and cleaned by hand or with an ultrasonic machine. After cleaning, the board is ready for the final step of the PCB assembly process, which is called Functional Test (FT). During this test, the components are tested to see that they are functioning properly. This includes checking the rise and fall times of voltage and current, and making sure the board can communicate with other devices.
After the FT is complete, the circuit boards are packaged for shipping. The packages must be able to withstand vibration and shock, so they are often put inside protective cases. Once the products are shipped, the factory performs quality assurance tests and repairs any defective parts. Finally, the finished products are inspected once again to make sure they meet all of the company’s quality standards. The QC department then records the results of these tests and checks them against the customer’s requirements. If everything is accounted for, the QC department will pass the PCBs to the production team.
Finished PCBs are then sent to customers. A faulty PCB can affect how well your product works and could cost you money or customers. That is why it is important to entrust your product to a trustworthy and experienced manufacturer, such as Sierra Assembly. They will use the latest technology in PCB assembly to produce a superior product that is built to last. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your next project.