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To Panelize or Not to Panelize

Learn about the pros and cons of panelizing printed circuit boards, methods like V-Score and Mouse Bites, fabrication considerations, assembly benefits, depenalization concerns, and more. Presented by industry experts.

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To Panelize or Not to Panelize

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  1. To Panelize or Not to Panelize Key Considerations When Panelizing Printed Circuit Boards Presentedby

  2. Welcome Today’s Panelists • Tim Madden, Senior CAM EngineerRoyal 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

  3. Welcome Today’s Panelists • Chao Vang, Senior CAM EngineerAdvanced 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

  4. Pros and Cons for Fabrication PANELIZATION FOR Fabrication

  5. 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

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

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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Mouse Bite PCB Example

  12. 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

  13. V-Score Example

  14. PCB with Routing & V-Scores Example

  15. PANELIZATION FOR Assembly

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

  17. 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”

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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)

  21. 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

  22. Proper Edge Connector Example

  23. Depanelization Machine V-Score Depanelizer - Maestro 3E Mouse Bite Depanelizer - FKN Systek N200 Depaneling Punch

  24. 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

  25. 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!

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