Electronic devices play crucial roles in our daily lives. They have made life easier for people. However, the production of these devices wouldn’t be possible without electronic Assembly PCB.
Regardless of the type of electronic device, an electronic assembly PCB is crucial. You will find this PCB in devices ranging from air conditioners to televisions, and even smartphones. Therefore, it is important to understand how this PCB functions.
What is Electronic Assembly PCB?
Electronic assembly PCB is a circuit board that enables the integration and soldering of electronic components. It is the backbone of most electronic devices. Electronics assembly is simply the process of mounting and soldering electronic components on a bare PCB board.
Also, electronic assembly PCB consists of different electronic components such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, and more. These components are necessary for the functioning of electronic assembly PCB. Furthermore, this PCB assembly requires several processes.
There is a huge difference between a bare printed circuit board and an electronic assembly PCB. Also, this is because a bare PCB features no electronic components while an electronic assembly board features several electronic components.
Electronic Assembly PCB Process
There are several stages involved in the electronic assembly PCB process. All of these stages require proper monitoring to ensure the assembly PCB is of high quality. Below are the steps involved in electronic assembly PCB.
Solder paste
Before adding components to a PCB, you need to add solder paste to the areas where you need to solder on the board. The solder paste involves a mixture of solder and flux. Also, this process is faster when the assembler lays a stencil over the printed circuit board. With a solder screen directly placed on the PCB, a runner moves across the screen dropping a little quantity of solder paste on the circuit board.
The printed circuit board files generate the solder screen. Also, it is important to control the amount of solder. This helps to ensure there is an appropriate amount of solder on the resulting joints. You can use leaded solder paste or lead free solder paste.
Pick and place
After the application of the solder paste on the circuit board, the next step is to place components on the PCB. You can achieve this by using manual or automatic processes. Also, the automatic process involves the use of a pick and place machine. The manual method involves placing components by hand. However, using this method can cause errors as humans are prone to errors. The pick and place machine is a robotic device that lifts components and places it on the circuit.
Soldering
The board will go through the soldering machine in this stage. There are different types of soldering which are wave soldering, reflow, and manual soldering. In reflow soldering, the boards will move through a conveyor belt that passes through a large oven. Therefore, this exposes the PCB to an adequate amount of heat. The heat helps to melt the solder.
Wave soldering is commonly used for through hole boards. Also, wave soldering doesn’t require applying any solder paste to the board. This is because the wave soldering machine provides the solder paste needed.
Inspection and testing
Inspection and testing are very crucial in electronic assembly. After the printed circuit boards have passed through the soldering machine, the next step is to inspect the board. There are different methods of inspecting printed circuit boards. Automated optical inspection detects any problems with parts of the PCB.
After inspecting the board, the next step is testing. It is crucial to test electronic assembly boards before they leave the fabrication house. Furthermore, assemblers can utilize a test fixture to enable quick testing.
Types of Electronic Assembly PCB
There are various types of electronic assembly PCB.
This PCB assembly requires drilling of holes via the PCB. Then, electronic components are carefully placed on the holes.
Surface mount assembly
Surface mount PCB assembly includes the placement of components directly on the surface of the printed circuit boards. This electronic assembly PCB offers great space utilization and high circuit reliability.
This type of electronic PCB assembly is ideal for ensuring additional support in assembly and manufacturing. Furthermore, a box build often integrates electrical enclosures and backplanes. Also, it includes cable and wire harness, power supplies, and plastic cases.
Hybrid thick film assembly
Hybrid thick film assembly is very versatile and it carries out part of an electronic function. Also, this assembly does this by combining passive semiconductor devices and active devices in one package.
Applications of Electronic Assembly PCB
Most electronic devices feature at least an electronic assembly PCB. Most users of these devices are unaware of the PCB in the device. There are various applications of electronic assembly PCB.
Consumer electronics
Electronic assembly PCB is available in appliances used in homes and offices. These appliances include televisions, computers, radios, and more. Also, electronic assembly PCBs are available in high volumes and at a very low cost.
The aerospace industry utilizes high performance electronic assembly PCB. This is because the equipment used in the aerospace industry works under harsh conditions. Furthermore, aerospace equipment utilizes circuit boards for their monitoring , communication, and power supply in satellites and airplanes. The electronic assembly PCB designed for the aerospace industry must be very robust and dependable.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications industry utilizes circuit boards in its equipment. You will find PCBs in displays and indicators. Also, these boards are available in communication equipment for office and home use. However, some telecommunication equipment needs to withstand extreme temperatures.
LEDs
The LED industry benefits from electronic assembly PCB. LEDs usually offer energy efficiency, durability, and compactness. Therefore, LEDs are a popular lighting technology as a result of these benefits. Furthermore, PCBs play crucial roles in LEDs as they offer a mechanical platform for mounting LEDs while ensuring electrical connection. Also, they get rid of heat from LEDs.
Industrial equipment
Most pieces of industrial equipment are electronically controlled. Therefore, the industrial equipment industry integrates a large quantity of circuit boards. Electronic assembly boards designed for industrial equipment must be able to withstand extreme environments.
Conclusion
Electronic assembly boards are crucial for the development of electronic devices. This board contributes to the functioning of electronic devices.
