PCB Tech - Detailed introduction to the differences between PCB and PCBA

I believe that many people are not unfamiliar with PCB circuit boards, which may be often heard in daily life, but they may not know much about PCBA, and may even be confused with PCB. So what is PCB? How did PCBA evolve? What is the difference between PCB and PCBA? Let's learn more about it.

About PCB

PCB is the abbreviation of printed circuit board, which is translated into Chinese as printed circuit board. Because it is made by electronic printing, it is called "printed" circuit board. PCB is an important electronic component in the electronic industry. It is the support of electronic components and the carrier of electrical connection of electronic components. PCB has been widely used in the production and manufacturing of electronic products. Its unique characteristics are summarized as follows:

Detailed introduction to the differences between PCB and PCBA

1. High wiring density, small volume and light weight are conducive to the miniaturization of electronic equipment.

2. Due to the repeatability and consistency of graphics, the errors of wiring and assembly are reduced, and the maintenance, commissioning and inspection time of equipment are saved.

3. It is conducive to mechanized and automatic production, improves labor productivity and reduces the cost of electronic equipment.

4. The design can be standardized to facilitate interchangeability.

About PCBA

PCBA is the abbreviation of printed circuit board + assembly, that is, PCBA is the whole process of SMT on PCB empty board and dip plug-in.

Note: both SMT and dip integrate parts on the PCB. The main difference is that SMT does not need to drill holes on the PCB. In dip, the pin pin pin of the part needs to be inserted into the drilled holes.

SMT (surface mounted technology) surface mounting technology mainly uses the mounting machine to mount some micro and small parts on the PCB board. Its production process is: PCB board positioning, printing solder paste, mounting by the mounting machine, reflow furnace and manufacturing inspection.

Dip is "plug-in", that is, insert parts on PCB. Some parts are large and are not suitable for mounting technology. They are integrated in the form of plug-in. Its main production process is: sticking back glue, plug-in, inspection, wave soldering, plate brushing and manufacturing inspection.

Differences between PCB and PCBA

From the above introduction, we can know that PCBA generally refers to a processing process, which can also be understood as finished circuit board, that is, PCBA can be calculated only after the processes on PCB are completed. PCB refers to an empty printed circuit board with no parts on it.

In general, PCBA is a finished board; PCB is bare board.