PCB manufacturing is an extensive process that requires the use of specialized tools and equipment. It consists of a thin piece of plastic that contains copper traces and components, usually mounted on a fiberglass or epoxy resin base. In this process, Fs-Tech will help you by providing you with a step-by-step guide to help you understand how PCBs are made.
Step 1: Design and Output
PCB is the abbreviation for Printed Circuit Boards. It is an electronic circuit board that is used in a wide range of industries such as automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications. There are two main steps involved in designing a printed circuit board. The first step involves creating a schematic diagram and writing the code for it. The second step involves transferring the design onto a PCB layout program where you can place all your components on it. This can be done by hand or using an automated program. Once both these steps are completed, you will have a design ready to be manufactured into a printed circuit board.
Step 2: From File to Film
Once you have your design and are ready to begin the process of manufacturing the board, you will need to take your file and convert it into a film that can be used by the machine. The machines that create the boards use a special type of film called “photoresist.” This film is coated onto the substrate and exposed to UV light in order to create an image that is transferred onto the copper. In order for this process to work, you must use special software designed for PCBs.
Step 3: Printing the Inner layers
The inner layers of the PCB are printed using a laser printer or other inkjet printer. These layers contain traces, pads and other components that will be included in your final design. The inner layers are designed to be used with the outer layers, so if you have a design that requires electrical components on both sides of your board, then you will need to print both sets of layers at once.
Step 4: Removing the Unwanted Copper
The next step in the process of PCB assembly is to remove all of the unwanted copper from the board. This is done by using an abrasive pad and a solvent, which will dissolve away any unwanted copper. The solvent and abrasive are applied to an area of the board, then scrubbed with a brush until all of the unwanted copper has been removed.
Step 5: Layer Alignment and Optical Inspection
Once the layers have been deposited, it’s time for the alignment and optical inspection process. This step is crucial in ensuring that each layer is aligned with the others, as well as making sure that there are no defects in the material. The first step of this process is to use a laser to align all of the layers (we’ll get into more detail about that later).
Step 6: Layer-up and Bond
This means that you put all the different parts of your circuit on the board, in the correct order.
After you have all of your parts on the board, it’s time for bonding. This is where we bond each component to its pad using solder paste.
Step 7: Drill
Drilling is the last step in making PCBs. The drill machine uses a drill bit to cut holes in the copper layers of the board. The holes are used to create contact points for components, such as microchips and hard drives.
Step 8: Outer Layer Imaging
In this step, the printed circuit board is imaged. The imaging process allows for a quick check of the quality and accuracy of each layer, as well as an overall look at how the board will look when it’s done.
