To Panelize or Not to Panelize Key Considerations

To Panelize or Not to Panelize Key Considerations When Panelizing Printed Circuit Boards Presented by

Welcome Today’s Panelists • Tim Madden, Senior CAM Engineer Royal Circuit Solutions – Tim is the Senior CAM engineer at Royal Circuits. He has been involved in the manufacturing and design of circuit boards for 25 years, working for a variety of companies. www. royalcircuits. com

Welcome Today’s Panelists • Chao Vang, Senior CAM Engineer Advanced Assembly – Chao is the lead engineer at Advanced Assembly for the past 7 years. She has an extensive knowledge of the PCB industry and provides customers with their DFA checks prior to assembly. www. aa-pcbassembly. com

Pros and Cons for Fabrication PANELIZATION FOR FABRICATION

Things To Consider • Fabricator’s Panel Size and Usable Area Specs – Royal Circuits fabs in 18”x 24” panels – Royal Circuits usable area is 16”x 22” • Panelize in the design or let fab house • Fiducials – Royal Circuits. 040 pad. 080 mask opening • Choosing Depanelization Method

Depanelizing Boards • Two Methods – Mouse Bites (aka Breakaway Tab or Routing) – V-Score (aka V-Groove)

What Method Do You Use? • Which method do you prefer when panelizing boards? – V-Score – Mouse Bites – Don’t Know

Mouse Bites • How to create them: – Router cuts outline of the majority of the board – Few places remain attached and drill holes will be made there to weaken area

Mouse Bites • Location of drill holes: – In center of piece connecting board large laminate left over – Further into board, ideally with outside edge of holds in line with edge of board cleaner break

Mouse Bites • Consult your fab house for specific requirements – Royal Circuits standard specs unless special request: • . 1 spacing between boards • . 5 rail • 3 fiducials on rails (2 bottom & 1 top) • Fiducial. 040 diameter pad with. 080 mask opening • . 125 tooling in all four corners

Mouse Bite PCB Example

V-Scores • How to create them: – Shallow v-shaped groove is made on top and bottom of board • Benefits: – May result in lower costs than mouse bites • V-scores are easier to make than drilling holes along tabs (consult your fab house) • Requirements: – Royal Circuits needs. 015 clear (depending on board thickness) from board edge of any copper feature

V-Score Example

PCB with Routing & V-Scores Example

PANELIZATION FOR ASSEMBLY

Why Assemble In Panels • Assembly Time is Reduced – Eliminate time to change out boards on Pick ‘n Place machines – Reduce reflow oven time It’s just one giant board to us!

Things To Consider • Stencil & Solder Application – Must inform assembly house to create panelized stencil – Fiducial placement – Some assembly houses use Paste Printer Stencil & panelized design files not needed • Advanced Assembly included • Fitting in Assembly Machines – Must fit in Pick ‘n Place & Reflow Ovens – Advanced Assembly can accommodate up to 20” x 24”

Things To Consider • Shipping Costs – Shipping small boards is relatively easy and inexpensive – Shipping larger panels can make things more expensive • Odd Shaped Boards (IE: Small Cutouts, Circular Shapes) – Some assembly houses need to have rails or tooling frames added to provide parallel edges for processing – Advanced Assembly can accept any shape • Depanelizing Boards

Depanelizing – Mouse Bites • Concerns – Rough spots where they were attached • Requires additional time to sand which translates to additional cost – Boards that have been mostly routed out are structurally weak • May easily pop out earlier than desired

Depanelizing – V-Scores • Benefits: – Create greater strength while still part of panel – Preferred method of assembly houses • Advanced Assembly included • Concerns: – Lots of force need to break apart • Important to make sure components are not popped off during process – Copper traces too close to score may result in splitting during popping • Advanced Assembly requires 10 to 15 mils clearance (depending on board thickness)

Depanelizing – Part Placement • Components on Edges – Give components on edges (or hang over edges) sufficient space to placed without covering adjacent board – Advanced Assembly may put job on hold to resolve connector on edge issues

Proper Edge Connector Example

Depanelization Machine V-Score Depanelizer - Maestro 3 E Mouse Bite Depanelizer - FKN Systek N 200 Depaneling Punch

Communication is Key • Consigning Boards – Will boards be sent in panels? – Are there any parts or connectors close to edges that could cause depanelization issues? – Do you want assembly house to depanelize boards before shipping? • There will be an additional labor cost to pop boards if not turnkey • Or choose turnkey to reduce headaches

Questions? • Email tim@royalcircuits. com or chao@aapcb. com with additional questions • Today’s attendees will be sent a free white paper, “To Panelize or Not to Panelize. ” • Winners of the free Raspberry Pi drawing will be notified later today. Thank you!