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PCB Resources

Your comprehensive PCB knowledge resource. Explore in-depth guides on PCB design, material selection, fabrication techniques, and industry trends. Empower your PCB expertise today! 

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PCBA Resources

PCBX: Master the art of PCB assembly. Delve into expert guides on PCB assembly processes, techniques, and quality control procedures. Elevate your PCB assembly skills now! 

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PCB Design

The PCB Design Resource Channel is a worthwhile location that provides electronic engineers and designers with top-notch resources and tools to design printed circuit boards. In this section, the latest guides in design, tutorial videos, software tools, example projects, and best practices are organized together for reference on how best to go about optimizing the design process for better work efficiency and product quality.

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Comprehensive Guide to PCB Panel Creation

Panel creation, more appropriately called panelization of a Printed Circuit Board, is the process of compiling several individual PCB designs into one larger board commonly known as a panel. It is more than just space-saving - an approach aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and therefore reducing material waste to reduce production cost. The following tutorial will help a person-whether a learner or an experienced one-understand the creation of a PCB panel, from basic concepts and specific types of panels to the techniques involved, in order to get a perfect sense of the concept.<h2>Need for the Creation of PCB Panel</h2><h3>Why Panelization?</h3>The main problem-or better said-the motive for creating PCB panel creation is to make the process of manufacturing easier. Placing several smaller PCBs together into one big panel facilitates-and saves time for-the manufacturer. Advantages involved include:Improved Manufacturing Yield: A single large panel is much more convenient to handle in a manufacturing process than many small boards.Economic Advantages: Material wastage is minimized due to the fact that unused space between individual PCBs in a panel will be at a minimum.Easy Assembly and Testing: This makes it easier in SMT assembly and testing since multiple boards are processed in one run.<h3>Types of PCB Panels</h3>Common Panel TypesDifferent panelization techniques fit various requirements and PCB designs. Among the major types of panels are:V-scoring/V-cut/V-groove:<img src="https://img.pcbx.com/dev/file/image/article/20240918/1124adee80154a2eb87ac2e8b92d9c2c.png" alt="V-scoring-PCBX" data-href="" style="width: 100%;"/>Description: A 'V' groove between boards, the method gives good results when the board snaps off easily. It could be appropriate for PCBs whose edges are just plain and straight.Application: Suitable for rectangular-shaped PCBs and is done on a V-cut machine. A cut is made through the full board continuously, so this technique can also be used for volume production.Routing Slot/Milling Slot + Tab (Tab-routing):Description: This is a process of milling slot in between PCBs while leaving some tabs to hold the PCB structurally. There are two kinds of tab-routing:Tabs with perforations/mouse bites that can be easily snapped.Solid tabs that need to be cut.Application: This method can be applied to the PCBs, which are of irregular shapes and sizes since the tabs will act like supporting edges, which can be easily snapped off when needed.Combination of V-scoring and Tab-routing:Description: This method shall be applied when a panel needs both methods for its completion owing to several design needs. For instance, V-scoring for the edges, which are straight while for other irregular shapes, tabs may be required.<img src="https://img.pcbx.com/dev/file/image/article/20240918/9fa5fa44ad49450585ccfb828a911f26.png" alt="Tab-routing-PCBX" data-href="" style="width: 100%;"/><h2>Rules and Tips to Carry Out Efficient Panel Design</h2><h3>Considerations During Design</h3>Some of the key design rules to consider when ensuring efficiency and quality in PCB panelization include:Panel Shape: The design should aim for a square or rectangle for convenience in handling and space maximization.Closed-loop Outer Frame: Ensuring that the panel retains its shape during a time-consuming manufacturing process.Components Placement: Large or protruding components should not be put near the connection point between the panel frame and the individual PCBs.Fiducial Marks: The panel should feature at least four fiducial holes, situated in its corners. These are for alignment purposes during the manufacturing process. The location must be accurate, and the sidewalls must be smooth to avoid structural weakness.Fiducial Points: There must be an area devoid of solder with a diameter greater than 1.5mm around each fiducial mark for viewing purposes.<h3>Mechanical Processing Techniques</h3>Scoring and MillingMultiplier Panel Scored:X Spacing: No spacing between PCBs. Where space is needed, a minimum 5.0mm spacing must be used.X Traces and Copper Areas: All traces and copper areas must be at least 500µm from the scoring edge.X Panel Thickness: For rigidity, it is advisable to use scoring on panels with the minimum thickness of 1mm.Multiplier Panel Milled:X Spacing: Leave a 2.0mm gap between PCBs.Bridges: If left undefined, the manufactures will place them optimally-usually 1.0-1.5mm wide.Traces and Copper Areas: Keep 200µm minimum distance from milling edge.Mixed Multiplier Panels:Description: Place various different PCB layouts together into one panel.Contours and Traces: Same spacing (0.0mm for scoring, 2.0mm for milling).Stability: Leave enough room for panel stability.<h3>Combining Techniques: Scoring and Milling</h3>Usage and RecommendationsCombination of scoring and milling techniques can provide solutions for complicated panel designs:Calculation of Spacing: Keep the spacing between scored parts as 0.0mm and that between milled parts as 2.0mm.Spacing on Edges: Keep all traces and copper areas at least 500µm from the scoring edge and 200µm from the milling edge.Tool Issues to Consider: It is best to avoid milling straight down a scoring line due to chip formation issues during manufacturing.<h3>X-out Management and Customer Involvement</h3>X-out Handling:Standard Practice: A defective PCB (determined through E-test) is left on the panel but is X-ed out.Customer Options: Customers, during the ordering process, have an option to NOT allow this process to ensure no marked defective PCBs are delivered.Customer-Driven Design:Panel Data: Customers may supply their panel configuration or use manufacturers' online tools for exacting panel assembly.Configurator Tools: These are the tools that give a preview about the design of a panel to facilitate the panelization process. This is done so in order to ensure customer satisfaction.<h2>Conclusion</h2>PCB panel creation is an essential part of modern electronic manufacturing. It is an amalgamation of art and science put together with an objective of enhancing efficiency that would reduce the cost and best methodology of assembly. Understanding various methods and best practices for panelization would ensure high-quality, cost-effective PCBs both by designers and manufacturers. You will become proficient in the creation of a panel for the PCB, taking into account the types of panels that may be produced, the mechanical processing methods involved, and some of the essential design rules, thus getting the many benefits accruable from using them in manufacturing.

PCB panelization consolidates multiple PCBs into a larger board, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing waste. Techniques include V-scoring and tab-routing. Proper design enhances assembly, testing, and cost-effectiveness.

In this highly complex world of new-generation electronics, printed circuit boards (PCBs) have become the foundation. In computerized devices, mobile gadgets, and any kind of industrial machinery used in today's modern world, the transmission of digital signals is very important. Gold fingers are the crux of this connectivity; they are narrow, gold-plated connectors positioned along the edges of PCBs. This all-inclusive guide to PCB gold fingers gives all the details to understand gold fingers, their importance, types, the gold-plating process on them, and their diverse applications.<h2>What are Gold Fingers of Printed Circuit Boards?</h2>Gold fingers are the edge connectors in PCBs that are plated in gold. These are interface points into other boards or components for proper communication and flow of power. These fingers are normally made from hard gold, which is to say gold that has been electroplated, so as to take the pushing and shoving in and out without failure. The normal thickness for gold is from 2 to 50 microns. Which thickness should be used is dependent on what application it is being used for.We use gold for these connectors as it has the best corrosion resistance and is an excellent electrical conductor. It is relatively hard and durable and is often alloyed with nickel or cobalt for even greater hardness and durability, so the fingers are created to be extremely hardy and to survive for long periods under heavy use.<img src="https://img.pcbx.com/dev/file/image/article/20240912/89165b69b86d4a47a091d17a492961b1.jpg" alt="Gold Fingers-PCBX" data-href="" style="width: 100%;"/><h2>Type of Gold Fingers</h2>The ways of making the finger pads differ mainly in the gold plating thickness and the hardness:Electroplated Hard Gold: Suited for the most demanding of applications where contacts need to be mated over and over again, this process results in a deposit of approximately 30µ inches of hard gold that has excellent resistance against wear.Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG): Although this process is far more economical than plating with hard gold and easier to solder, the yield golf is much softer and not recommended for most high-abrasion contacts. It's generally plated from 2 to 5µ inches.<h2>The Manufacturing Process: From Concept to Connection</h2>The Gold Fingers Plating process is voluminous and gives a constant high-quality product due to the following important steps: Nickel Plating: This is the first process in which a layer of nickel up to 2 to 6 microns deep is put over the connecting edges of fingers. This base layer acts as a substrate to improve adhesion and endurance of the gold layer, which follows.Gold Plating: A hard layer of gold (generally compounded with cobalt to make it harder) is elec­troplated over the nickel. The thickness is in the order 1 to 2 microns.Beveling: The edges of the fingers are bevelled at a specific angle (usually about 30 to 45 degrees) to enable free entry into their slotted count­erparts.<h2>Post-Plating Inspections and Tests</h2>Each PCB undergoes a series of testings and inspection to determine the quality of the gold plating:Visual Inspection: This is done using magnifying glasses where the smooth and clean contact edges have to be checked.Adhesion Test (Tape Test): This is done by attaching a strip of the tape to gold plated contact edges, then removing it hence gets inspected for the presence of the gold on the tape hence helps in determining sufficiency in the plating adhesion.<h2>Design and Specifications</h2>Gold finger design on PCBs shall strictly be within specific dimensions and per particular standards for proper performance:No PTH (plated through-holes) or pads shall be closer than 1mm from the gold fingersBetween the gold fingers and the PCB, there should be a space distance of 0.5mm.From the edges of the PCB, there shall be at least an exclusion of the inner copper layers so that they don't be exposed during beveling.The total length for gold fingers for plating has been taken to be of 40mm.<img src="https://img.pcbx.com/dev/file/image/article/20240912/617a78a16e914763a111b7ba715325e5.png" alt="Gold Fingers Design-PCBX" data-href="" style="width: 100%;"/><h2>Uses of Gold Fingers</h2><h2>Gold fingers are used in various other sectors. Some of its uses are given below:</h2>In-House Connections: The motherboard is connected to the main PCB with the help of secondary PCB, and such PCB has the gold fingers which slide into the female connections PCI, ISA or AGP.Special Interfaces: It is used in special booster peripheral equipment such as soundcard and graphics card.Peripherals: Gold fingers can be found at the edge of the motherboard. The use of gold fingers in the motherboard enables peripheral devices, such as the monitor, printer, USB devices, and even speakers, to be inserted into the motherboard slots, and allows these devices to be frequently plugged and unplugged.<h2>Types of Gold Fingers in Specialised PCBs</h2>Segmented or unequal of gold fingers can exist for special PCBs:Non-uniform Fingers: For example, in memory card readers, where shorter fingers have been designed so that some parts of the device can receive power supply before other parts.Segmented Fingers: These segmented connectors are used primarily in rough and waterproof electronics, that too, in very selective applications where a higher degree of rugged utilization is needed.<h2>Gold Finger Standards and Regulations</h2>Association Connecting Electronics Industries–IPC has taken initiatives to develop standards to ensure quality and reliability of PCB gold fingers :Chemical Composition: The gold plating that is characterized by maximum edge rigidity shall consist of 5 to 10% cobalt.The gold thickness needs to range from 2 to 50 microinches. Selected single requirements are 0.031 inches, 0.062 inches, 0.093 inches, and 0.125 inches.Tape and Visual Tests: This will ensure the plating can't be ripped off, plus it's uniform, and adheres well.<h2>The Collision of Technology and Formulation</h2>Currently, gold fingers are used in consumer and industrial machinery, from personal computing devices to manufacturing machinery. Robotic arms and other automated systems get their required power and signal from gold fingers. In consumer electronics, they ensure a smooth interface of so many devices, contributing to techno advancement.The gold fingers have become the indispensable making element of solid, reliable connections in wide ranges of application inside modern electronics. Due to their excellent conductivity and durability, as well as conformance with high standards, they are applicable in popular devices and complex industrial systems. With great production quality and rigid testing protocols, the manufacturer, Gold Fingers, goes a step further in assisting the big strive for innovations in many fields, which sets the golden standard in PCB technology.

Gold fingers are essential gold-plated edge connectors on PCBs, known for durability and conductivity, crucial for transmitting digital signals in electronics. They come in Electroplated Hard Gold and ENIG types. Used in motherboards, peripherals, and industrial machinery, they adhere to IPC standards ensuring reliable, high-quality connections in modern electronic devices.