What does the PCB manufacturing process involve?

 

PCB manufacture is not a design action, but it is an outsourced activity, which is carried out by a manufacturer. Although PCB fabrication is not a design job, it is performed by strictly adhering to the specifications of users or applications given to the manufacturer.

The process of PCB manufacturing involves the transformation of the design of a circuit board into a physical structure. The process is based on the stipulation provided in the design package. This physical manifestation is accomplished through the technique, such as:

Imaging:  The copper-dressed laminates are brought to the preferred layout.

Etching: It involves the elimination of surplus copper from internal layers to expose pads and traces.

PCB layer stackup creation: The materials of the board are heated and pressed at high temperatures.

Hole drilling: The holes are mounted  through the hole broochs and vias

Defensive coating integration:  It is done to mask the surface or solder.

The final stage of PCB manufacturing involves the markings of polarity indicators, silkscreen printing references, logos, or other required markings on the board surface. Then, the copper surface areas of the board are finished according to the needs.

In many cases, the PCB manufacturer is not privy to the design intention or performance goals of users. Therefore, they do know whether users are making good options for layout, materials through types and locations, trace constraints, or other board issues that are set during manufacture and may affect the manufacturability, performance, or production yield rate of their PCB after deployment.

Habitually, the layout and fabrication processes of PCB manufacturing have dissimilar entities behind them. In most cases, the PCB manufacturer may make a printed circuit board according to the design created by the OEM or original equipment manufacturer. 

The manufacturing process of a PCB involves four imperative steps, such as:

1. Design considerations

Design considerations in PCB manufacturing involve making the design of the PCB progressive through a variety of stages of the manufacturing process. All manufacturers will usually have a set of Discretionary Fund Manager guidelines for their manufacturing processes that the OEM can discuss during the PCB design stage. The designer can ask for these DFM rules to inform the design of their PCB to accept the production process of the manufacturer.

2. Component corroboration

During this PCB manufacturing process, the designer will consult with the manufacturer about the available components. Any manufacturer will usually have all the essential components to create a PCB. If any component is out of stock, the designer and manufacturer will look for an alternate arrangement to ensure quicker manufacturing while still fulfilling the minimum design stipulation.

3. Board Materials

The materials in PCB manufacturing refer to the ones used to produce a printed circuit board. During this process, the manufacturers will discuss with the OEM about the materials they have on hand. If the OEM approves those materials, they will start manufacturing their PCBs.

4. File Formats

To ensure the complete manufacture of the PCB to the design specifications of OEM, the manufacturer should communicate with the OEM about the file format. The file format of the manufacturer must match the format of the OEM while designing a PCB. It will allow manufacturers to make their PCB manufacturing process without errors or missed information.

These four manufacturing processes will guarantee an effective process and faultless transition between stages of PCB manufacturing.