Electrical/Electronic Processes

Electrical/Electronic Processes

1. Production of circuit boards used in high-tech gadgets

2. PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

   • Come in all shapes and sizes, from very simple to very complex
   • Manufacturing Steps
     • 1. DESIGN TO LAYOUT (normally done by a computer)
       • 2. PRODUCE THE ARTWORK - this is the position of the components and the connecting tracks
         • 3. PCB ETCHING - this prints the copper tracks onto the board (in reality you start with a full copper board and through various processes the copper is etched away leaving the tracks)
           • 4. DRILLING THE BOARD holes are drilled in the relevant place for the components to fit onto, connecting to the tracks
             • 5. POPULATING THE BOARD AND SOLDERING - solder the correct component into the correct place

3. Surface Mount Technology (SMT)

   • A way of mass producing PCB. It involves attaching electrical components to the surface of a conductive board rather than drilling holes for the component legs
   • Advantages of SMT
     • Reduces costs of components, labour and overheads
     • Components smaller and lighter
     • Less human intervention
     • Increased production speed
     • More complex boards on smaller boards
   • SMT Process
     • 1. Apply solder paste to copper pads
       • 2. Robot places component
         • 3. Conveyor belt transports board to reflow solder oven
           • 4. Board heated so solder melts
             • 5. Components soldered to surface of board
               • 6. Finished board is inspected