Must-Know PCB Assembly Equipment
Must-Know PCB Assembly Equipment
PCB boards are used in electronic components. A small PCB can be manufactured easily but when it comes to large and complex PCB boards then there are larger chances that hands will not place components manually. It is the place where PCB Assembly equipment is used. PCB fabrication process also needs concentration in complex PCB manufacturing but the PCB Assembly process needs further concentration because a little mistake in arranging the electronic components can destroy the functionality of PCB boards.
Phase 1: Paste Application
- Solder Paste Printing Machine
The first phase in the PCB Assembly process is the application of solder paste on the board. Solder paste is gray-colored goo that is made up of a mixture of tiny particles of metal alloy. It is just like glue, which makes the component on the board assembled. Paste application can be hard by hand when it comes to complex and larger PCBs. Solder paste printing machine makes this process easy for manufacturers.
- Solder Paste Inspection Machine
Many industry studies noticed that more than 70% of soldering issues are traced back to improper solder paste printing. Therefore, they took the next step to check if the paste printed on the board properly or not. For this purpose, a solder paste inspection machine is used which allows manufacturers to inspect the solder paste application.
Phase 2: Automated Components Positioning
- Glue Dispensing Machine
Before placing the components on the board, this machine put dots of glue on the board where the components will be placed. The glue is applied on the board to place all the components properly on the board and enable the board to hold them.
- Pick-and-Place Machine
The pick-and-place machine is one of the most commonly used machines in the whole assembly process. As the name shows that it picks the components and places them on the board. This stage of the process is done by hand commonly but the machine is used to speed up the PCB Assembly process.
Phase 3: Soldering
- Reflow Soldering Machine
Reflow soldering techniques are frequently used in PCB Assembly. When the PCB Assembly is done then the Assembly is moved towards a conveyor by a long, huge oven, which is called a reflow soldering machine. The assembly goes through the website developer numerous zones carefully at a suitable temperature, which enables sold paste to melt properly and improve the stability of components on board.
- Wave Soldering Machine
PCBs have to pass through waves of molten solders to attach the components well with each other. This machine is also used to attach the components properly to each other on the PCB board.
Phase 4: Inspection
- Automated Optical Inspection
When the board is completely assembled, it further goes through inspection or testing. It needs too much concentration so, an automated system is better for this purpose. Automated Optical Inspection enables the manufacturers to inspect the PCB board Assembly, identify the issues, and fix them before they became worst.
- In-Circuit Testing
This machine performs a function using a bed of nail fixtures. It is one of the most popular and widely used ways to test the functionality of PCB properly. It enables the manufacturers to test their board properly.
