Panelization and Bridge Design – PCB DFM Part 3
In this post we will learn the part 3: Panelization and Bridge Design. If you have learnt this tutorial, you can order pcb directly from Seeed Studio Fusion by click pcb fabrication.
Figure 1: Clearance area requirements for PCB panels undergoing automated depaneling.
At the same time, the structure of the blade of the v-cut scorer must be considered. As shown in figure 2, no components with a height of over 25mm are allowed within a 5mm distance from the v-cut line.
Figure 2: Demand of blade of automatic board cutter to device in the banned layout area of PCB edge
When v-cut design is applied, these conditions must be met in order to protect components during the splitting process, and ensure that the boards will split freely.
Figure 3: Board thickness requirements for v-cut scoring.
A safe distance of ‘S,’ as shown in Figure 4, must be maintained between the v-cut line and any copper traces to avoid damaging the trace. S ≥ 0.3mm is usually satisfactory.
Figure 4: The safe distance (S) between v-cut grooves and copper traces.
Figure 5: Stamp hole design parameters.
Figure 6: L type PCB layout on a single panel.
Figure 7: Diagram of panelization width.
Figure 7: Example layout of step and repeat panelization
Figure 8: Panelization of irregularly shaped PCBs
Figure 9: Two irregular boards with the excess connected via stamp holes.
Figure 10: Recommended layout of PCBs with gold fingers.
Figure 11: Mirror panelization
Fiducial marks on the mirrored boards must match after flipping. For specific placement requirements, please refer to the Fiducial mark design section later in this document.
Figure 12: Completing the PCB outline of irregularly shaped boards.
Figure 13: Stamp hole placement for filler pieces greater than 50mm in length.
More Chapters:
1. Brief Introduction
2. Seeed Fusion PCB Specification
4. Component Layout Considerations
5. PCB Hole design
6. Solder Mask Design
7. Copper Trace Design
8. Silkscreen Design
9. PCB Lamination Structure
10. PCB Dimensions Specification
11. Fiducial Mark Design
12. Surface Treatment
13. Files for Manufacture Requirements
14. Appendix
3.1 V-CUT Scoring
- V-cut scoring can be used can be used on PCB panels to separate individual boards. They must run across the entire length of the panel, parallel to a flat edge and not interfere with any component placement.
- For panels incorporating v-cut scoring in their design, the recommended board thickness is greater than 3.0mm.
- For PCB panels that require machine automated depaneling, a clearance area of 1.0mm is required along both sides of the v-cut line (and on both top and bottom surfaces) to protect the components from damage.
Figure 1: Clearance area requirements for PCB panels undergoing automated depaneling.
At the same time, the structure of the blade of the v-cut scorer must be considered. As shown in figure 2, no components with a height of over 25mm are allowed within a 5mm distance from the v-cut line.
Figure 2: Demand of blade of automatic board cutter to device in the banned layout area of PCB edge
When v-cut design is applied, these conditions must be met in order to protect components during the splitting process, and ensure that the boards will split freely.
Figure 3: Board thickness requirements for v-cut scoring.
A safe distance of ‘S,’ as shown in Figure 4, must be maintained between the v-cut line and any copper traces to avoid damaging the trace. S ≥ 0.3mm is usually satisfactory.
Figure 4: The safe distance (S) between v-cut grooves and copper traces.
3.2 Stamp Hole Design
- The recommended width of milling grooves is 2mm. Milling grooves are often used in situations where a certain distance must be maintained between individual boards on a panel. It is generally used together with V-CUT scoring and stamp holes.
- The distance between the origins of adjacent stamp holes should be 1.5mm. Recommended distance between the two groups of stamp hole is 5mm, as shown in picture 5.
Figure 5: Stamp hole design parameters.
3.3 Panelization
There are three recommended modes of panelization: The same direction splice, central symmetric splice, mirror symmetry splice.- For PCB boards smaller than 80mm x 80mm, panelization is recommended.
- The designer should consider the utilization rate of the design when choosing the PCB material. This is a key factor affecting the cost of the PCB.
Figure 6: L type PCB layout on a single panel.
- If the PCB is to be processed with reflow soldering and wave soldering techniques, and the cell board size less than 60.0 mm, then no more than two rows should be stacked in one panel (that is, the board should be no more than two boards in height.
Figure 7: Diagram of panelization width.
- For smaller boards, the number of boards running across the longest side can be greater than 3, but the width should be no more than 150.0 mm, Margins or tooling bars should be added on the longest sides during production to prevent panel deformation.
- Single Board Panelization
- Regular shape board
Figure 7: Example layout of step and repeat panelization
- Irregularly shaped boards
Figure 8: Panelization of irregularly shaped PCBs
- Center Panelization
- Center panelization can be applied to irregularly shaped PCBs. They are arranged in such a way that the outer shape is regular.
- If the two boards do not fit together completely, milling can remove the excess and separate the boards.
- For larger pieces of excess material, the panel can be designed such that the excess pieces may be broken off using stamp hole connections. See figure 9.
Figure 9: Two irregular boards with the excess connected via stamp holes.
- PCBs with gold finger connectors need to be positioned so that the fingers face outwards as shown in figure 10. This is necessary for the gold plating process.
Figure 10: Recommended layout of PCBs with gold fingers.
- Symmetrical Panelization
Figure 11: Mirror panelization
Fiducial marks on the mirrored boards must match after flipping. For specific placement requirements, please refer to the Fiducial mark design section later in this document.
3.4 Panelization Methods for Irregularly Shaped PCBs
- General principle
- If the assembled PCB does not have a clearance area of 5mm along the edge of the board, margins/tooling bars should be added along its perimeter.
- If the PCB is irregular in shape, for example, a corner is missing or a segment cuts into the board, block filler pieces should be used to make the outline more rectangular in shape to aid assembly.
Figure 12: Completing the PCB outline of irregularly shaped boards.
- It is recommended that SMT and wave soldering techniques be used for irregular boards with filler pieces larger than 35mm x 35mm. For filler pieces greater than 50mm in length, two sets of stamp holes should be used, otherwise, one set is satisfactory.
Figure 13: Stamp hole placement for filler pieces greater than 50mm in length.
More Chapters:
1. Brief Introduction
2. Seeed Fusion PCB Specification
4. Component Layout Considerations
5. PCB Hole design
6. Solder Mask Design
7. Copper Trace Design
8. Silkscreen Design
9. PCB Lamination Structure
10. PCB Dimensions Specification
11. Fiducial Mark Design
12. Surface Treatment
13. Files for Manufacture Requirements
14. Appendix
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