What is PCB Panelization ?
PCB panelization is a manufacturing technique in which smaller boards are manufactured in a group connected together as a single array so that it can easily move through an assembly line.
The individual boards then can easily be depanelized or removed from the array for packaging or installation into a product. Alternatively a PCB processing edge around an individual board to increase its width to fit on the assembly line.
PCB panelization not only just help smaller boards to fit in standard production processes, it also makes production more efficient.
Panel Requirements for Assembly
PCBWay does PCB Assembly panel production with min panel size 50*50mm and the max size can be 330*530mm.
PCBWay also gives you the option to provide your own panel design by leaving a message about the panel design while submitting a new order or they will do the panel design according to your specific demands.
Order now for best and affordable PCB assembly service.
1. Panel with V-Cut/V-Groove/V-Scoring
For V-Cut /V-Groove/V-Scoring panelization, the required space between each boards is 0mm or 3mm as shown in the image below.
Fig.1
Since the V-scoring can only go all through the whole board continuously, it is not possible to use it for the panel with units of different size.
In such cases, Tab-routing is used instead of V-cut.
2. Panel with Tab-Route
For Tab-route panelization, the required space between each boards is 1.6 mm.
There are two options for tab-routing, such as :
- Tab-Route with breaking holes (stamp holes)
- Tab-route with tabs (no holes)
Tab route with breaking holes(stamp holes)
For Tab-route with breaking holes, the required breaking hole diameter should be more than or equal to 0.45 mm. The regular diameter taken is between 0.55 mm – 0.6 mm.
The spacing between the breaking holes should be more than or equal to 0.25 mm and the number of breaking holes in each tab can be around 5 – 6.
The image below shows an example of Tab-route with breaking holes.
Fig.2
Tab route with tabs (no holes)
For Tab route with tab, the minimum tab width should be 2 mm.
Figure below shows as example of Tab route with tabs.
Fig.3
3. Panel with both V-scoring and tab routes
In this type of panel with both V-scoring and tab routes, the required V-scoring area space is 3mm and the required tab routes area space is 1.6mm.
Fig. 4
Fiducial marks and mounting holes in panel
1. Fiducial marks
Fiducial marks are needed during the assembly. Usually for each panel, we require at least 3 fiducial marks.
The fiducial marks diameter is 1.0 mm and these marks should always be placed in the middle of the tooling strips.
The fiducial marks should be 10.0 mm away from the board edge.
Fig.5
2. Mounting holes
Along with the fiducial marks, mounting holes are also needed for panel design. Usually there are 4 mounting holes per panel.
The diameter of mounting holes is 2 mm and the width of tooling strips is 5 mm.
The mounting holes should be at least 5 mm away from the edge of the board.
Fig. 6