Prototype Printing Circuit Board Assembly

Preparations-GERBER

When you specify the annual plan and want to put your PCBA into production, the first thing to do is to test your design and whether it functions as you originally wanted.GERBER and bom  This is the necessity of making prototype samples.You need to check the functions, tests, IC program or not, dimensions, housing installation, etc. of the PCBA one by one. Ensure that the samples in your hands are the perfect just same as the mass-produced products you want.

Advantages to doing Prototype Samples

There are many advantages to doing prototype samples. No matter how beautiful and perfect the design is, when it is put into practice for the first time .some small problems or flaws will be found.Sometimes you may think that the sample is a delay. but correcting all errors and improving the information before mass production is very beneficial to the development of future projects.

Before contacting the factory, first collate all the information about the project. gerber, BOM, pick&place file, drawings, whether the components can be replaced, whether the IC needs to be programmed, whether the factory needs to do function testing, housing design files, installation instructions, etc. Fully prepare these materials to be sent to the factory and maintain communication. This is more foolproof.

First of all-gerber file

The gerber file is a file related to the production of circuit boards. The designer will use the design software to design the PCB circuit, and then produce a gerber file. The PCB factory is based on gerber to complete the production. By checking the gerber file, the factory can know the number of layers of the PCB, the number of holes, the size, whether there are blind and buried holes, track width and track spacing, etc.

gerber file

These will affect the production process and price of PCB. In addition, you have to inform the factory, the thickness of the PCB, surface finishing (HASL,ENIG and so on), solder mask color and silk print color,cooper thickness and so on. In this way, the PCB you want can be made correctly.In short, gerber is used to make PCB boards. This is the basis of PCBA. Any circuit error will cause the function to be impossible to achieve. So before production, be sure to confirm the gerber file.

Second point-BOM

The second necessary document is the BOM. It must include board usage, parameters, packaging, brand and model. In fact, the model can accurately search for the parameters, packaging and other information of the modified component. Therefore, it is best to have a model number in the BOM.

And inform the factory that when purchasing components, the same parameters can be substituted. or they must be consistent with the BOM. Because your products are different and the accuracy is different, the requirements are different.

On the contrary, most of the PCBAs, as long as the above components have the same function and package, they can be replaced, which also saves costs for customers.

Third point-gerber&bom

The third file is the pick&place file. It means to indicate the coordinate position of each component in the BOM on the PCB board. This is used by engineers to specify the SMT machine program to prepare for SMT placement.The p&p file will reflect the X, Y position of each component, followed by the position number and model number. In this way, the SMT machine program can be specified accurately.There are many formats of coordinate data.

Another important document

drawing. The drawing shows the front and back of the PCB board, so that the factory can understand whether it is a single-sided mounting project or a double-sided mounting project. In our JY factory, we will print out the drawings on both sides of the customer’s gerber. Used for IQC check pad. There are drawings in gerber, indicating that PCBA is single-sided component mounting.

On the contrary, there are components on both sides. There must be a silk screen layer corresponding to the pad in the gerber. AND a silkscreen of the package beside each pad to frame the component, indicating the package of the component.

There  corresponding location numbers, C1, U1 and so on. . . IQC will compare the BOM and the actual components to confirm the corresponding positions on the PCB. Components should be accurately placed in a relatively accurate position. If it is big or small, check out design errors and problems.

Test its Function

The purpose of the trial sample is to test its function. A test description said it was very useful. We often ask to make a test fixture, test the IC program, and then perform several operations to watch the light flicker or the voltage change.

Since the customers are all foreign, the ability to test the functions in the factory before delivery .and take videos to confirm to the customers will make the customers feel safe.so that there will not be too many unpredictable bad consequences after the goods are sent.

It will not waste the cost and time of mailing. We discover problems during the factory test, and will record videos to communicate with customers in a timely manner. Find a way to solve the problem

PCB/PCBA

JY electronics is a professional PCB/PCBA assembly manufacturer.We located in Dalian city China, a seaside city.We convenient to do shipping the goods and we have certification of ISO9001,TS16949.We did many PCB/PCBA projects for more than 30 countries customers with good quality but low price.

We have more than 10 years of industry experience and more than 90 export countries. Prototype samples, batches, etc., we are familiar with many problems.and can think of and solve them in advance.
If have questions for us, please feel free contact me any time.If you interested in any type PCBA project, or want to know something about us,below is my contact way.Welcome your inquiry,hope could hear from you soon.