Electronics manufactured for everything from healthcare to space shuttles require a PCB Assembly. In fact, the invention of the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and how it supports physical components and their wiring through copper tracks is remarkable. The components are fixed into position by drilling holes in the board, placing them, and then soldering them in place or, having pads to place on the surface in what’s called Surface Mount Technology (SMT).
Panelization has brought high amounts of efficiency to PCB Assembly production, which wasn’t possible in the early days. Consequently, technicians can prototype a handful of project boards all in one simple swoop.
Fortunately, with the proper PCB Assembly design software, PCB panelization has never been easier to implement. Let’s explore the simplicity of designing your own PCB panel with a quick tutorial.
1. Draw Your Board
It all starts with preparing the board layout. In this stage, you’ll need to draw your board. Schematics are important throughout this stage. The schematics are used for laying out the traces and placing the components on the PCB.
Start by logging in to your software, and create a new project. Make sure that in the process of drawing your schematic, each schematic symbol you use has a PCB footprint associated with it. The PCB footprint will define the component’s physical dimensions and placement of the copper pads or through holes. This stage is great to decide which components you’ll be using.
2. Draw Your Artwork
The next step is to transfer your schematic diagram into a drawing of your printed circuit board. Drawing PCBs can be a time-consuming process. Thankfully, most PCB layout software is equipped with tools that will help you draw your board from the schematic.
3. Placement of Components
Do you prefer your circuit board to be in a box? Keep in mind that tall components might need to be flat to fit. You can test this by drawing your components on your board, then printing it out on a sheet of paper. This will help you know if it will fit in the box and if the connectors will fit properly.
4. Assembly of Your PCB
When you have completed your drawing, it is time to get your PCB design ready for manufacturing. This step is all about finding a trusted PCB production and assembly specialist. Look for an organization who will work with you on prototyping, stands behind their work, and has an expert understanding of your industry. Contact BESTProto today to request a quote on your project.