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

PANELIZATION FOR Fabrication Pros and Cons for Fabrication PANELIZATION FOR Fabrication

Things To Consider Fabricator’s Panel Size and Usable Area Specs Royal Circuits fabs in 18”x24” panels Royal Circuits usable area is 16”x22” 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: Benefits: Requirements: 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

It’s just one giant board to us! 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 3E Mouse Bite Depanelizer - FKN Systek N200 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!