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Week 4

  • Chatgpt was used for the definitions used here and google for the images. *

Important terms to remember!

  1. PCB (Printed Circuit Board) A PCB is a flat board that connects and supports electronic components. It provides the physical foundation for the circuit by housing conductive traces that connect the components.

  2. Schematic A schematic is a symbolic representation of an electrical circuit. It shows how components are connected without concern for the physical layout of the circuit.

  3. Gerber Files These are the standard file format used for PCB fabrication. They contain all the necessary information for manufacturing a PCB, including layer information, trace routing, component placement, and more.

  4. CNC Milling This is a process used to create PCBs (especially in Fab Labs) by removing material from a flat substrate using a cutting tool. It’s commonly used for small-batch or prototype PCB production.

  5. Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) SMT refers to the method of placing components directly onto the surface of the PCB, as opposed to through-hole technology. This is a more modern method, allowing for higher component density.

  6. Through-Hole Technology (THT) In through-hole technology, components are inserted into holes that pass through the PCB and are soldered on the opposite side. This technique is older and can be more durable but also takes up more space than SMT.

  7. Soldering The process of joining electronic components to a PCB by melting a soldering material, typically an alloy of tin and lead, to form a solid electrical connection.

  8. Pick and Place Machine This machine is used in the manufacturing of PCBs to pick up small components (like resistors, capacitors, ICs) and place them onto the PCB for soldering.

  9. Reflow Soldering A soldering process used for surface-mount components where a solder paste is applied to the PCB, components are placed, and then the whole assembly is heated to melt the paste, making the connections.

  10. Solder Paste A paste that contains tiny solder balls and flux, used in SMT assembly to temporarily hold components in place before reflow soldering.

  11. Stencil A tool used in the SMT process to apply solder paste to the PCB pads, ensuring precision for the component’s soldering process.

  12. Flux A chemical used in the soldering process to clean the metal surfaces, prevent oxidation, and help the solder to flow properly.

  13. Component Footprint The specific physical dimensions and placement of pads for electronic components on a PCB, which ensures that the component can be properly mounted and soldered.

  14. Etching A process used to remove excess copper from a PCB to define the electrical traces. Etching is often done using chemicals, typically ferric chloride.

  15. V-Slot or Router Bit In the context of PCB production with a CNC machine, these are cutting tools used to mill and cut the outline of the PCB and create the copper traces.

  16. Test Points These are pads or locations on a PCB where you can attach test probes to measure electrical values like voltage, current, or resistance for debugging and testing.

  17. Multimeter An essential tool for measuring electrical values such as voltage, current, and resistance during testing.

  18. DFM (Design for Manufacturability) This refers to designing a product (in this case, a PCB) in such a way that it can be easily and cost-effectively manufactured. It includes considerations like trace width, hole sizes, and component placement.

  19. Vias Small holes in a PCB that allow traces to pass from one layer to another, connecting different parts of the circuit.

  20. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) This software is used to design the PCB layout and schematic. Popular examples are Eagle, KiCad, and Fusion 360.

Last update: February 24, 2025