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Questions tagged [pcb-assembly]

The process of mounting electronic components onto a printed circuit board. This can be done manually with a soldering iron, or automatically using a "Pick and Place" machine.

6 votes
3 answers
4k views

Is there a standard PCB Array Size for PCB Assembly?

I am planning on use various PCB assembly houses to get my boards PCB assembled. To minimize process costs, I am told it is best to panelize/array the PCB such that there is multiple boards per array, ...
Adam B's user avatar
  • 537
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Half-etched fiducials Vs through-cut fiducials

While making PCB, I added 8 fiducials (fids) marks so that pick and place machines use these marks as referent points on the PCB to position the surface mount components (Packages) during assembly. ...
Kapil Singh Rawat's user avatar
44 votes
5 answers
14k views

Why did Axial Capacitors Fall Out of Use in the Industry?

When inspecting the boards from electronics made in 1980s and earlier, one distinct feature is the extensive use of axial, electrolytic capacitors as power supply filter. Axial ceramic decoupling ...
比尔盖子's user avatar
  • 7,218
26 votes
5 answers
10k views

How do I solder headers so that they always stand straight up?

When soldering headers, usually single and double pins, I flip the board over so the pin rests on the surface and then solder them. They never come out straight. It would be great if someone has ...
Bill's user avatar
  • 2,496
21 votes
3 answers
8k views

How to secure cables to a PCB

What is a good way to secure cables to a PCB? There are some good advice in the following post, but the application is slightly different: Securing electrical cables to holes in enclosures? In this ...
K0ICHI's user avatar
  • 429
20 votes
3 answers
2k views

When and why use triangle solder joints

I found these triangular solder joints in a 24v power supply. Why are they made as triangles? This is the first time I have seen it and I was unable to google anything about it.
Marki555's user avatar
  • 473
19 votes
1 answer
4k views

Designing Pick-and-Place-friendly CAD library parts

I'm working on a PCB design with surface mount components to be manufactured by a PCB assembly shop. I'm using CADSTAR, and I had to populate the library with some components, from scratch. I'm new to ...
David's user avatar
  • 1,053
18 votes
4 answers
9k views

OK to connect boards perpendicularly like this?

Are there any disadvantages in using the following method to accomplish a perpendicular board-to-board connection? (i.e., any disadvantages in terms of board manufacturing capability/cost assembly ...
redwo's user avatar
  • 181
16 votes
6 answers
19k views

Any tricks to attaching a wire or pin to a testpoint?

More and more often, I find myself needing to tear apart a device to seek out and connect to serial pads. These pads typically give me access to the underlying operating system for research or ...
Rafael Rivera's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
34k views

Estimating Assembly Cost

I've got a project BOM costed out and I know my PCB costs. Without sending my project out for quote I'd like to be able to estimate the assembly cost by number of SMT components placed and the number ...
Jason's user avatar
  • 1,933
16 votes
4 answers
11k views

Feasibility of PCB edge plating?

How feasible is it to edge plate a PCB or at least a portion of one? I've seen it done but as I understand the outer edge is only cut after plating at most fab houses. Is this something that's ...
s3c's user avatar
  • 2,525
14 votes
8 answers
6k views

Connecting 10AWG wires to PCB

I have 4 wires 10AWG stranded, that I need to connect to a PCB that I'm designing. They will be in a high vibration environment, so direct through hole soldering may not be the best solution. I've ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 8,061
12 votes
3 answers
4k views

PCB fabrication vs PCB assembly

What is the difference between PCB fabrication and assembly? Some companies like Golden Phoenix list that based on the size of PCB, it outputs a quote. Mine was 2.1 x 1.6 inch. It outputted 29 pieces ...
arjun's user avatar
  • 289
12 votes
10 answers
4k views

Is it practical for firmware to be uniquely identified in production

Are there systems available in large scale manufacturing that allow a unique serial number to be programmed into the firmware or some free memory space for each PCB that comes through? I've found ...
Lukeyb's user avatar
  • 223
9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Anyone know the premise of this PCB assembly note?

The assembly note states: Bake bare PCBs in a clean and well ventilated oven prior to assembly at 125*C for 24 hours. Why is this necessary?
klamb's user avatar
  • 312

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