By Printed Circuit Board Assemblers
Printed circuit board assembly, or PCBA, is the process of putting components and soldering them onto a finished PCB. It’s a critical step in the production of any electronic device and is performed using a wide variety of automated and manual machines. Understanding the various options available will help you decide which one is best for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick prototype, or a large batch of production boards, there is a process that is right for your project.
The first step is creating a design that will be used to create the final product. This can be done with a number of different software programs. Some popular choices include Altium Designer, KiCad, and EasyEDA. Once a design is complete, it’s ready to begin the pcb assembler fabrication process.
Next, the copper layer is added. This can be either a foil or a full-on copper coating. The copper is what carries signals between the components, much like your nervous system carries signals between your brain and muscles. The copper layer is what gives the PCB its rigidity and strength.
How Are Printed Circuit Board Assemblers Manufactured?
Following the copper layer, a mask is applied. This helps prevent the copper from exposing any unwanted areas on the board. Once the mask is in place, the rest of the surface is treated with a chemical that removes any remaining oxide. Once this is complete, the PCB can be etched to reveal the copper layer and etching holes.
After the layers are etched, the hardened resist protecting the preferred area of copper is washed away with another solvent. Once the board is clean, the registration holes are punched out with a machine that uses a file from the extended Gerber design as a reference. This will allow the registration holes to line up with each other so the components can be placed accurately.
Once the components are placed, the board is sent through a reflow oven, which melts the solder paste and adheres it to the components. Once this is complete, the reflow process is completed with a series of cooling cycles. Once the reflow is complete, the board must be inspected. This can be done manually or with the use of a machine called an automatic optical inspection (AOI).
Once all of the defects have been corrected, the board is shipped to its intended destination. This can be a client’s warehouse, an electronics store, or a distribution center. The packaging protects the board from damage while in transit, and may be customized based on the client’s specifications. The packaging also protects the board from dust and other contaminants that might impede its performance.