PCB Manufacturing

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts from PCB Manufacturing, helping with reviewing important material for the exam.

PCB

Printed Circuit Board, used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components.

Lithography

A process used to transfer a pattern onto a substrate, mainly used in PCB manufacturing.

Etching

The process of removing unwanted material from the PCB, usually using a chemical solution.

Substrate

The base material that supports the conductive tracks and components on a PCB.

Dielectric properties

Attributes that describe the insulating qualities of a material, affecting electrical performance.

FR4

A common glass reinforced epoxy substrate used in PCB manufacturing.

Through Hole Technology (PTH)

A type of PCB manufacturing that includes holes that allow components to be inserted and soldered on both sides.

Solder mask

A coating that prevents solder from bridging between conductors and protects the PCB.

Silkscreen

A printed layer on a PCB used for annotations, like component labels.

CNC

Computer Numerical Control; automated machining that can perform drilling in PCBs.

Multi-spindle Drilling Machine

A machine capable of drilling multiple holes simultaneously in PCB manufacturing.

Electroplating

A method of applying a metallic coating to a workpiece using an electrical current.

Electroless plating

A method of depositing a layer of metal onto a surface without using electric current.

Positive Resist

A type of photoresist that becomes soluble when exposed to light.

Negative Resist

A type of photoresist that becomes insoluble when exposed to light.

Gamma (γ)

A measure of the contrast response of photoresist in PCB lithography.

Mechanical support

Structural integrity provided by the substrate material to hold components in place.

Copper foil

The conductive material typically used in PCBs to create electrical connections.

Plating

The process of covering the surface of a PCB with a metal layer to enhance conductivity.

Anisotropic etching

Selective etching that removes material in specific directions, predominantly in crystalline materials.

Multilayer PCBs

PCBs with more than two layers of conductive pathways, enhancing circuit density.

Flexible PCBs

PCBs designed to bend and fold, suitable for applications with limited space.

Thermal stability

The ability of a material to withstand changes in temperature without losing performance.

Tolerances

The permissible limits of variation in physical dimensions during PCB manufacturing.

Drilling precision

The accuracy of hole placement and size in PCB drilling processes.

Overetching

An unwanted process during etching that removes more material than intended.

Trace width

The width of the conductive pathways on a PCB, important for current carrying capacity.

Conductive tracks

The pathways on a PCB that connect various components and facilitate electrical flow.

Solderability finish

A surface treatment applied to PCB pads to ensure reliable soldering.

Pattern transfer

The process of transferring designs onto substrates in PCB manufacturing.

High-frequency applications

Uses of PCBs designed to operate effectively at high frequencies, such as in RF circuits.

Mechanical properties

Physical characteristics of materials that determine their behavior under loads.

Photoimageable coating

Material applied to PCBs that can be exposed to light to create patterns.

Conductive vias

Plated holes in PCBs that allow electrical connections between layers.

Stack height

The thickness of the layered materials in a PCB assembly.

Burring

The production of rough edges or projections as a side effect of drilling.

Imaging

The process of creating a visual representation of the pattern to be transferred onto the PCB.

Exposure time

The duration for which the photoresist is exposed to light during lithography.

Mechanical finish

Post-manufacturing treatment to enhance the surface quality of PCBs.

Electrical isolation

The prevention of unintended electrical connections between different parts of a PCB.

Alignment features

Design elements on a PCB to aid in the accurate positioning of components.

Hot air leveling

A process to finish the PCB surface, enhancing solderability and durability.

Panelization

The arrangement of multiple PCB designs on a single manufacturing panel for efficiency.