The printed circuit board (pcb) manufacturing process requires rigid design to ensure the performance of the finished product. Although circuit boards may be single, double or multiple, the pcb manufacturing processes used vary only after the initial design. Due to the differences in the structure of pcbs, some may require twenty or more steps during production.
The number of steps required to make printed circuit boards corresponds to their complexity. Jumping any step or cutting back on that pattern can impair the performance of the circuit board. Thus, when completed successfully, pcbs must perform their functions properly as essential electrical components.
What are the parts of the pcb?
There are four main components of pcb:
- The substrate: the first, and most important, is the substrate, usually made of fiberglass. Fiberglass is used because it provides medium strength to pcb and helps prevent cracks.
- Copper layer: depending on the type of board, this design can be copper foil or full-on-copper coating. Regardless of the method used, the concept of copper is still the same – carrying electrical signals to and from pcb, such as your system carrying signals between your brain and your traps.
- Solder mask: the third component of pcb is the solder mask, which is a layer of polymer that helps protect the copper from short-circulation from contact with the environment. In this way, the solder mask looks like a “skin” of pcb.
- Silkscreen: the last part of the circuit board is the silkscreen. The silkscreen is usually on the side of the part of the board used to display part numbers, logos, signal switch systems, part reference and test points. The silkscreen can also be known as a myth or a nomenclature.
How is pcb manufacturing?
The steps of CAMTECH PCB design processes begin with design and reinforcement and continue through the design of circuit boards. Many steps require computer guidance and tools driven by the machine to ensure and prevent short circuits or circuits incomplete. Completed boards need to be thoroughly inspected before they are installed and shipped to customers.
Step one: manufacturing the pcb
The first step in pcb production is, of course, design. Pcb design and design always starts with the system: the manufacturer sets the pcb plan that meets all the requirements as described. The most widely-used design software used by pcb developers is software called extended gerber – also known as x274x.
When it comes to pcb design, extended gerber is a piece of software because it also works as an output format. Extended gerber records all information required by the pcb manufacturing, such as the number of copper stacks, the number of commercially required masks and other components of the notation section. Once the design of the pcb is blocked by gerber extended software, all the different parts and design features are checked on top to ensure that there are no errors.
Once the manufacturer inspection is complete, the finished pcb design is sent to another pcb design house so that the pcb can be built. Upon arrival, the pcb design design is second only to the manufacturer, known as the design for manufacture (dfm) check. The actual dfm check ensures that the pcb design fulfills, at least, the patience required for manufacturing.
Step two: design analysis and engineer questions
Another important step for the printed circuit board design process is to look at the design for possible errors or errors. The engineer goes over the whole part of the pcb design to make sure there are no missing or missing features. After obtaining approval from the engineers, the design goes to the printing department.
Step 3: print the pcb design
After all the checks are completed, the pcb design can be printed. Unlike other systems, like building drawers, pcb plans do not print on standard 8.5 x 11 paper. Instead, a special type of printer, known as a platter printer, is used. A plotter printer makes a “film” for pcb. The final product of this “movie” looks like it used to be used in schools – a very bad picture on the board itself.
The inside of the pcb layer is represented in two ink colors:
- Black ink: used on copper skins and pcb circuits
- Clear ink: refers to non-conductive surfaces of pcbs, such as fiberglass base
- In the external parts of pcb manufacturing, these processes are reversed – clear ink refers to the copper corridor line, whereas black ink also refers to areas where copper will be removed.
Each pcb layer and accompanying solder mask gets its own film, so a simple two-layer pcb requires four sheets – one for each accompanying layer and one for the accompanying solder mask.
After the film is printed, they are placed in a line and a hole, known as a recording hole, is struck through them. The recording hole is used as a guide for fixing movies later in the process.
Step four: print copper of the inner steps
The fourth step is the first step in the process when the manufacturer begins to manufacture the pcb. After the pcb design is printed on a piece of laminate material, the copper is then attached to the same piece of laminate, which acts as a pcb structure. The copper will then be placed away to show the plan from the beginning.
Next, the laminate panel is covered with a type of image-sensitive film called resistant. The resistor is made with a design of photo-reactive chemical that dries after exposure to ultraviolet light. The contrast allows the technicians to find the perfect balance between the photographic images and those printed on the photoresist.
The above is the pcb manufacturing process, hope it can help you.