Engineering&CAM

Rout Files

Routing Tab

1. CNC files can not be used for extracting data.
2. PCB board outlines on.GKO (Gerber Keep-out, outline) layers will need to be verified as the actual outline.
3. The largest diameter routing is 93mil (2.4mm) (used to produce 100mil spacing), using this bit reduces routing costs by allowing multiple panels to be simultaneously routed but will increase the PCB price in mass PCB board production.
4. The cutting path that the machine takes is called the NC route path; normally you need not worry about it. You want to relay to manufacturing any specific cutting requirements you might have.
5. With regard to the PCB board and slot outlines. We would prefer to have these included in the Gerber files (solder mask and drill/fab files) with a line width of 5mil or 10mil. This line width will not affect the PCB board price as the PCB board outlines are disregarded when the minimum trace width is determined.

Solder Mask

Soldermask

1. Clearances are increased to meet the minimum of 4mil swell for manufacturing. This is 2mil per aside. If clearances will expose traces or ground plane an FYI will be sent and we will continue to process the order as-is. If solder mask clearances are missing then the order will be placed on hold for verification.
2. Text outside of outline is removed.
3. The PCB board outline will be added to this layer if not already present. This will be used for reference during production.

Basic Vias Protection PCBMay Supports

Exposed Vias

1. These will be processed with a clearance in the solder mask image that is equal to or greater than the via pad size plus 5mil solder mask swell.
2. If you have a requirement other than this, we can accommodate clearances as small as the finished hole size plus 5mil. Please include any specific requirement in the fabrication notes and/or order documentation.
3. These can be quoted and ordered with our standard parameters.
4. Unless prior arrangements have been made, PCB boards will be built based on the solder mask image files submitted.
5. Most design software packages have accommodation for including or excluding the vias from the solder mask image.

Tented Vias

Tented Via

1. These will be processed with no clearance in the solder mask image for the vias.
2. This will result in the pads being covered with a solder mask and the holes may be open, partially plugged, or completely plugged.
3. As we do not have a dry film solder mask available, we cannot offer vias tented in such a way as to guarantee that all of the holes will be completely covered.
4. These can be quoted and ordered with our standard parameters. Unless prior arrangements have been made, the board will be built based on the solder mask image files submitted.
5. Most design software packages have accommodations for including or excluding the vias from the solder mask images.

Plugged Vias

Mask Plugged Via

1. These will be processed with an additional process that will fill the vias with a solid material that will prevent solder and airflow through the vias.
2. The entire via cavity may not be completely filled.
3. These orders will require a custom quote.

Filled Vias

Filled Via

1. These will be processed with an additional process that will fill that via a solid material that will prevent solder and airflow through the vias.
2. The entire via cavity will be filled.
3. These orders will require a custom quote.

Silkscreen Check

Silkscreen

1. We increase any text widths below 5mil to a minimum of 5mil.
2. A silkscreen clip layer (corresponding solder mask layer) is created to eliminate ink on pads. We do not add via clearance if the vias are tented.
3. The board outline is removed from artwork if present.
4. Text outside of outline is removed.

Solder Paste Check

Solder Paste

We delete outside text and panelized it if the design is ordered as an array.

Additional Markings Check

Tooling Marking

1. UL logo, date code (WWYY or YYWW), RoHS, 94V-0, and others may require, will be added in either a copper layer or a silkscreen layer unless otherwise specified. An internal reference number will be added in a copper layer but need to get your approval.
2. Additional customer-required markings will be added as requested.

Panelization Arrays: Scoring, V-Grooving, V-cut | Tab-Routing

What Is Scoring (V-cut)

V-scoring

PCB V-scoring is the process of cutting a ‘V’ shaped groove at the top and bottom of a printed circuit board while leaving a minimum amount of material in place to hold the boards together.

1. The spacing between boards is 0mm.
2. The minimum PCB size for V-scoring is 10*10mm, maximum size is 450*1245mm.
3. V-scoring line must be straight and have to be a vertical and horizontal line.
4. The spacing between the V-scoring line and outline keeps at 0.35mm.
5. We recommend board thickness of the V-scored board is 0.6mm at least.

V-scoring Example

Kindly note V-scoring angle is 30 degrees

V-scoring Angle

V-cut Panelization Array for You

V-score Panel

1. Single PCB board files provided by you.
2. The total number of PCB boards in the array and if the number of PCB boards in the X direction and the Y direction.
3. The width of the top, bottom, left, and right rails if required.
4. Indicate your required V-cut array in fab drawing or email text or in illustration.

What Is Tab Routing

A tab route is used to build arrays, often called “route and retain”. The customer can place more than one board (Same or different design) up in a given area in an array or panelized configuration. This is typically for the convenience of the customer or for PCB board assembly requirements that utilize pick and place machines to assemble components. The PCB boards are then separated by breaking or cutting the tabs. Tabs are usually 100mil in width and are placed with at least 1 on each side of the boards.

Tab Rout PCB Array for You

1. Your single PCB board files.
2. The total number of PCB boards in the array and if the number of PCB boards in the X direction and the Y direction.
3. The width of the top, bottom, left, and right rails if required.
4. Indicate your required tab-routing array in fab drawing or email text or in illustration.

PCB Panelization Process

PCB Panel

During the PCB panelization process, the Gerber files prepared during the normalization process are copied to fill our big PCB production panels.

Here are the basic Panelization Process

1. Importing Gerber and NC drill files into our CAM software.
2. Step and repeating the patterns into the usable area of our production panels.
3. Adding the panel identification and tolling features to the border of the panels.
4. Saving Gerber patterns of the panel artwork (copper layers, solder mask layers, and legend layers and etc.), and forward them for building laser photo plot.
5. Saving NC drill files and placing them on our network so that they will be available for the CNC controllers to retrieve.
6. Creating the NC route programs that are used to add slots, large holes and cut the individual PCB boards from the production panels. These are then placed on our network so that they will be available for the CNC controller to retrieve.
7. Preparing the data files used for our Quality Assurance steps. The reference data that is used for Automation Optical Inspection (AOI) and Electrical Test (E-test) are prepared and placed on our network so that they will be available when needed during PCB board production.

Jump V-score

Jump V-score

The V-score process is the addition of thin, double-sided cuts into printed circuit board (PCB) laminate for the purpose of assisting in the removal of individual parts from the array.

The thin cuts which do not go all the way through the material, act as a perforation of the laminate so simple flexing of the laminate, or use of a cutting wheel, will aid in the removal of parts after the assembly process.

The V-score equipment consists of two blades (top and bottom) that run across the panel in a straight line while cutting.

It is also possible the blades are stationary as the production panel is pulled across them among some of the older equipment.