PCB Tech - PCBA is a technology for soldering all electronic components

When you see these boards, most people can recognize them. They are green and made of copper, and you can find them in electronics. The assembly process also requires a lot of technical support. If you do not master these technologies, the PCB may not be able to achieve functions smoothly. Printed circuit board assembly is the process of soldering all electronic components. It glues everything on a printed circuit board and consists of many manual and automatic steps. So let's learn the skills of printed circuit board assembly.

PCBA through hole technology

You can call it one of the traditional assembly methods. Here, you need the collaboration of various manual and automatic procedures.

During this assembly process, the following will happen. First, there are electronic components with leads. These come out through small holes in the PCB. The circuit board is stuck with the solder mask. This process is divided into three steps. these are -

1 component placement,

2 Check and correct,

3 Wave soldering.

The first is a manual process. The engineer places the components in the appropriate locations. When doing so, they need to keep in mind the design files of the circuit board. This will help them build designs based on customer needs.

The placement of the components guarantees a high-quality product to a certain extent. For production, manufacturers follow a number of operating standards and regulations.

For example, the engineer must keep checking to ensure that the polarity is clarified. They need to look at the orientation of the component relative to the environmental component. The finished component placement needs to meet the corresponding standards. Some people must wear an anti-static wrist strap. They must do this when handling components that are sensitive to static electricity. For example, this is especially true when they are dealing with integrated circuits.

The second step is inspection and rectification. After the components are placed, the circuit board is now placed on the matching frame for transportation. The board needs to investigate. All components must be checked for safety. Ensure the accuracy of the arrangement. If there is any problem, it is also basic to correct it now. This is easy because this stage is before the welding in the assembly process.

The last process is wave soldering. After soldering the through-hole components to the board, this is the third process. Here, you put the circuit board into more liquid solder mixture. Occurs at very high temperatures of about 500° Fahrenheit. When this process is over, the components will be firmly connected.

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) method

In this PCB assembly process, the electronic components are tiny and sensitive. They are like diodes and resistors. The equipment and welding materials here are different.

The process here is different from the above. In some ways, it even stands out. You can achieve higher manufacturing efficiency here-this is one of the reasons why many manufacturers adopt this approach. Everything happens in pick and place, solder paste printing and reflow soldering.

The process consists of three steps. We will discuss all three below.

The first step is solder paste printing. Here, the paste is applied to the code by pasting the printer. In order to ensure the accuracy of the installation, the manufacturer uses a template or solder wire mesh.

How do you determine the impact of solder paste printing quality on soldering quality? The manufacturer wants to check. The solder paste inspector is responsible for this work. They start after the printing process. Through this inspection, you can meet other strict regulations. If there are any defects, the manufacturer can reprint and clean it. Only then can you start the second printing.

The second step is to install the components. After the circuit board comes out of the printer, it will enter the microphone and be placed. The machine is here, you can install integrated circuits or components on the corresponding pads. You need to consider the tension of the paste. You can install the ingredients on the board through the component reel inside the machine. It helps the parts stick firmly to the board.

The last step is what we call reflow soldering. Here, you place the components on the board through a long furnace. Again, you need a temperature similar to the above. It helps the solder to liquefy. Then, all elements are firmly bound to the board.

Hybrid technology

Today, electronic products have become more integrated and complex. In addition, the size of circuit boards is getting smaller and smaller. It is strange that a circuit board contains only a single category of components.

Most circuit boards have through holes and surface mount components. It requires the collaboration of two technologies. Yes, the welding process is very complicated. You don't want to influence it with a large number of elements. You need to better arrange the order of these two technologies.

Printed circuit board assembly-familiar with the file format

When choosing a free circuit board, please make sure your manufacturer has experience. You need them to be able to handle the format you plan to use. This is a crucial step because some manufacturers may not be able to trade all file formats. The two most popular options are CAD and Gerber.

File format is a key step in PCB design. You must ensure that the manufacturer you choose has good experience with the forms you plan to use.

Communicate with your PCB assembly supplier

Contact your printed circuit board assembly supplier during the design phase. Don't wait until the end, because it can open up more design options for you. You will understand the basic recommendations on the map and have a deeper understanding of the industry. You will learn about new processes and technologies. They can keep you up to date with the latest models, methods and industry trends

Use all available tools to make the final product

Your assembler can provide you with tools to help you get the most effective final product. Know what you need. Talk to your manufacturer during the design phase. The latest technology can improve efficiency. See how to make the final product better. Be cautious when dealing with offshore suppliers

Many people began to choose foreign suppliers. On the one hand, they provide goods at affordable prices. But this process is accompanied by many risks.

Offshore suppliers sometimes tend to use low-quality parts. These are not the correct standards. In turn, it will affect you in the long run. There are also production delays that will affect your event schedule. You need a trusted offshore supplier.

Don't rely on a single supplier

Don't expect new suppliers. Or, only one supplier can meet all your needs. There is always a backup plan. You want to ensure a perfect design with the utmost care. Also, don't try to include parts that are not on the market.

Printed circuit board assemblies-always name and label parts

You should always try to mention the names and numbers of all components included in the package. It helps to reduce the scope of any errors. In addition, labeling is a good practice. You don't want to confuse things. It will take a lot of time to solve the problem later.

Printed circuit board assembly-makes the label easy to read

Make sure that your numbering and labeling sections are easy to understand and read. For example, if there are two parts, they are labeled Part 1 and Part 2. If the names are similar, represent them in different ways. In this way, you have no room for error.

Pay close attention to manufacturing test design

Manufacturing test design helps reduce related costs. It makes trading more comfortable. It also finds and resolves potential problems and ensures the smooth progress of the manufacturing process.

Check every trade-off

Know what you want from the circuit board to get a well-designed printed circuit board assembly. The best way is to talk to your customers. They can provide you with tips on how to improve the design to meet all your requirements.

Printed circuit board assembly-testing before ordering

When you place a large order, many places offer substantial discounts. But unless you are sure of the quality they provide, you should not fall for it. Before ordering in bulk, please try the final circuit board product to make sure it is in good condition. You can also hire the services of different PCB assemblers so that you can compare and make a final decision.