The process must be extremely accurate for aerospace PCB assembly to be successful. Aerospace PCBs are often mission-critical and should adhere to high precision during assembling.
Regarding aerospace PCB assembly, there are a few key elements to monitor carefully. These include process, materials, inspection, and reliability. Others include determining the correct board size and orientation and working with high tolerances. Finally, to ensure that your PCBs are as reliable as possible, you can consider outsourcing the assembly process.
Process
The aerospace PCB assembly process is different from standard assembly processes, as it demands higher precision. In addition, the PCBs must function flawlessly in harsh environments. The right assembly process will allow a manufacturer to meet these strict requirements. In addition, aerospace PCB assembly manufacturers can ensure the quality of their work with the help of advanced technologies.
First, the clean the PCBs. You use de-ionized water and compressed air. This prevents corrosion and ensures that the components do not develop any defects. Additionally, test the PCBs for any flaws before placing in the final product.
Next, apply solder paste to the PCBs. Use stencils to create shapes and apply the paste evenly. The assembly process is then automated, using robotic machines that rely on software to build the PCBs. Evenly apply the solder paste and allow it to solidify at the right place before putting the components together. Afterward, the PCBs go through a conveyor belt before placing in a reflow oven.
The manufacturing process is similar to standard assembly, but you must make some special considerations for aerospace PCBs. First, there is need to use mil-spec grade components. These components have tight tolerances, and you should design the PCBs to withstand maximum current loads. During assembly, it is also important to identify high-frequency and low-frequency components. This distinction is important since high-frequency components may introduce noise or degrade the signal quality.
After completing the assembly process, the aerospace PCBs undergo tests to ensure they are up to aviation industry standards and capture desired features. To ensure that all the components are working correctly, use a prototype to test the aerospace PCBs.
Materials
Aerospace PCB assembly materials consider various factors, including thermal management, shock absorption, and durability. These factors are very important for the aerospace industry, where components must withstand the harsh environments of space and airplanes. They are made from aluminum or copper substrates and incorporate laminates for strength. Another important factor for aerospace PCB assembly materials is the assembly process. Some aerospace PCB assembly materials use buried or blind vias to join the inner and outer layers.
As with any industry, quality is critical. Aerospace products are in the air for months or even years, and if one component or part fails, it can cause major damage. This can be costly and take years to repair components or the entire aircraft. For this reason, aerospace PCB assembly materials are extremely detailed and meticulous. Fortunately, many PCB assembly materials are available to help manufacturers meet their customers’ requirements.
In addition to these requirements, aerospace PCBs need special surface finishes. This is because they are subject to extreme conditions, such as vibration, moisture, and heat. Various coatings help prevent oxidation and corrosion while shielding exposed copper areas. Besides, thermal compounds help insulate heat sinks.
Rigid-flex PCBs are a popular choice among the PCB materials used for aerospace assembly. These are excellent for difficult-to-assemble boards. In addition to offering good conductivity, rigid-flex PCBs are also resistant to external agents. Furthermore, the combination of rigid and flexible PCBs provides a secure connection between the circuit parts, ensuring polarity and contact stability.
Another important consideration when using PCB materials for aerospace products is the thermal and radiation environment. High-temperature PCBs need to be able to handle these environments. For example, the temperature of an engine can reach several thousand degrees Celsius, making thermal dissipation a key concern.
Inspection
Inspection of aerospace PCB assembly is an important step before final production. It ensures that a board’s components meet all required standards and developer specifications. This process involves manual and automatic tests and reporting the results in an inspection report. There are different levels of inspection for different components. Therefore, you can compile inspection reports in various formats, with some industries requiring specific formats.
X-ray is one of the most effective and accurate ways to inspect PCBs. This technology uses an X-ray beam to see through a PCB to determine whether solder joints are intact or not. This technology is often useful in aerospace and other industries. It can check the quality of solder joints, and ensure the proper assembling of the board.
Using an aerospace contractor for PCB assembly ensures the achievement of quality standards. Aerospace PCBs are subject to extreme temperatures and radiation. Therefore, there is need to use high-grade materials. Electronic devices near an engine can reach temperatures of several thousand degrees. This makes proper inspection of aerospace PCB assembly essential.
X-ray inspection is another excellent method for checking the quality of PCB assembly. This technology allows engineers to see solder joints, lifted leads, and other defects. These inspections help identify voids and solder bridges that can lead to failures.
Reliability
Reliability is an important aspect of aerospace PCB assembly. It is desirable and necessary in this industry due to the extreme environment in which the PCBs will operate. The development process must adhere to strict quality standards to ensure optimum performance.
You enhance aerospace PCB assembly’s reliability by using advanced materials and processes. For example, copper traces on FR4 or GRP boards provide high conductivity and protection from abrasion and extreme temperatures. In addition, these materials are easier to work with and do not require expensive equipment. The manufacturing process involves several different steps, including wave soldering and reflow.
Reliability of aerospace PCB assembly is essential for the safety of mission-critical devices. A malfunctioning printed circuit board could compromise the product’s safety and risk the company’s budget. To ensure that the aerospace PCB is in perfect condition, produce it using durable and laboratory-certified materials. These materials should also be flexible and resistant to environmental changes.
Reliability of aerospace PCB assembly is crucial for aircraft communication and safety. For instance, the PCBs for satellites must be reliable and withstand high radiation levels. In addition, aerospace PCBs must communicate effectively with the aircraft’s crew and the control tower.
Reliability of aerospace PCB assembly requires the highest level of accuracy and precision. Choosing a certified manufacturer with an excellent reputation will eliminate risk factors and improve the quality of the PCBs. Certified manufacturers also ensure that they always update them with the latest advances in PCB technology.
Cost
The cost of aerospace PCB assembly varies depending on the required assembly type and complexity. PCB assembly for aerospace applications requires accuracy and precision. Contract manufacturers purchase their components in bulk from reputed suppliers to keep costs low. This can save you as much as 50% on the assembly cost. However, some types of assembly require higher labor costs, such as those that require through-hole drilling.
Printed circuit boards in the aerospace industry come in many different types and designs. These include ball grid array, SMT, through-hole, flexible, and metal-core insulated. There are also various assembly methods, including automated soldering, hand soldering, and reflow. In addition to assembly methods, many contract manufacturers provide value-added services such as prototyping, inspection, and testing. The final assemblies meet standards such as the AS9100 Rev C and the IPC 610. They are also RoHS and CE-marked.
While we use PCBs in everyday life, aerospace PCBs are useful for high-end applications. High-end aerospace equipment requires highly specialized PCBs that can withstand extreme conditions. For instance, space shuttles require power converters to stay in space.
Aerospace PCB assembly capabilities
For mission-critical applications, aerospace PCB assembly capabilities are critical. These assemblies must meet exacting standards. Precision and timeliness are crucial to ensure that the electronics will function correctly. To ensure success, look for a company with expertise in aerospace PCB assembly. These companies will work to provide aerospace PCB assembly services that are both precise and cost-effective.
Aerospace products require high-quality materials. After all, they may be in the air for months or years. Any defect could cost the end user a fortune. In addition, these products need to be reliable. This means aerospace PCB assembly providers must use materials that adhere to strict specifications. For example, the aerospace industry uses materials such as abrasive-resistant materials and corrosion-resistant plastics.
In addition to materials, aerospace PCBs need to be robust. The materials used for aerospace PCBs should be resistant to shock, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. Those materials come from aluminum and copper. Some manufacturers use anodized aluminum as an additional layer of protection to protect the board against oxidation. Additionally, aircraft use PCBs to power flight data recorders, which record radio information. If the plane crashes, this information can be useful to determine the cause of the crash.
Aerospace PCB assembly companies provide custom-designed printed circuit boards for the aerospace industry. They offer a variety of assembly methods, including through-hole and surface-mount technologies. They also offer various services, including prototyping, stencil printing, and automated conformal coating.
Conclusion
Aerospace PCBs should withstand the highest levels of reliability. However, these circuits are often exposed to high levels of contamination and chemicals and must operate reliably for long periods. Therefore, PCB manufacturing companies must adhere to specific reference standards to ensure the highest level of quality. One such standard is the IPC 6012DS addendum, which details qualification requirements for rigid printed circuit boards. The standard is an enhanced version of the IPC Class 3 standard.
