PCB Production Process-Related Machinery and Equipment

The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) production process involves various machines and equipment that work together to complete the entire manufacturing process from raw materials to finished PCB boards. Here are some key PCB production machines and their functions:

Pre-production Equipment for PCB

1. Film Laminator: Used to apply photosensitive film onto the PCB board, which is a fundamental step in making circuit boards.

2. Exposure Machine: Exposes the PCB board to ultraviolet light to transfer the circuit pattern printed on it to the special photosensitive film. Strict control of exposure time and intensity is required to ensure pattern integrity and resolution.

3. Developer: Processes the exposed photosensitive film by developing, removing the unexposed parts, and leaving a clear circuit pattern. The choice of developer solution and temperature control are crucial for the developing effect.

Mechanical Processing Equipment

1. Cutting Machine: Cuts large sheets into smaller boards suitable for production, usually automatically or semi-automatically according to preset sizes.

2. Drilling Machine: Drills holes in the PCB board for subsequent component insertion and soldering. These holes must be precise to ensure accurate circuit connections.

3. Deburring Machine: Removes burrs and debris generated during drilling to ensure smooth and clean hole walls.

4. Routing Machine: Precisely shapes the PCB board according to its designed shape and size.

Plating and Wet Process Equipment

1. Plating Line: Plates a layer of conductive metal (such as copper) onto the hole walls and surfaces of the PCB board to enhance its electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The plating process requires strict control of current density, temperature, and plating solution composition.

2. Copper Plating Machine: Deposits a layer of copper on the hole walls of the PCB board in preparation for subsequent plating steps.

3. Etching Machine: Removes excess metal parts on the PCB board through chemical etching, leaving only the required circuit pattern. The etching solution formula and etching time have a decisive impact on the quality and accuracy of the final circuit.

Screen Printing and Dry Process Equipment

1. Solder Mask Printer: Prints a layer of insulating solder mask on the surface of the PCB board to protect the circuit from external environments. The choice of solder mask and printing thickness need to be determined based on specific product requirements.

2. Solder Mask Curing Oven: Cures the printed solder mask on the PCB board by heating to enhance its adhesion and insulating properties. The curing temperature and time need to be precisely controlled according to the properties of the solder mask and product requirements.

3. Silkscreen Printer: Prints text, symbols, or logos on the surface of the PCB board for subsequent component installation and maintenance. The choice of silkscreen ink and printing process have a direct impact on the printing effect.

Testing and Quality Control Equipment

1. Flying Probe Tester: Detects circuit connectivity and performance by using high-speed moving probes to contact test points on the PCB board. The flying probe tester features high precision, efficiency, and reliability.

2. AOI Inspection and Repair Machine: Automatic Optical Inspection equipment used to detect potential defects in inner and outer layer circuits and automatically repair them.

3. Universal/Special Testers: Conduct functional and performance tests on PCB boards according to specific product requirements. Universal testers can adapt to multiple types of PCB board testing needs, while special testers are tailored for specific types or specifications of PCB boards.

4. Burn-in Test Equipment: Simulates the environmental conditions of the PCB board in actual use and conducts long-term burn-in tests to detect its stability and reliability.

Auxiliary Equipment

1. Cleaning Equipment: Cleans the board at multiple stages during the PCB production process to remove surface stains and residues. Cleaning equipment can use water washing, chemical washing, or ultrasonic cleaning methods.

2. Packaging Equipment: Packages the produced PCB boards for storage and transportation. Packaging equipment can perform automatic or semi-automatic packaging operations according to product size and shape, such as vacuum packaging, shockproof packaging, etc.

3. Air Compressor: Provides compressed air power for pneumatic tools and equipment.

4. Drying Equipment: Dries any remaining moisture or solvents on the PCB board during production.

5. Ventilation and Dust Removal Equipment: Maintains a clean and well-ventilated production environment to prevent the accumulation of dust and harmful gases.

6. Material Handling Equipment: Such as forklifts and carts, used to handle and stack raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products in the production site.

In summary, the PCB production process involves a variety of machines and equipment, collectively constituting an efficient and precise production system. In this system, every link is crucial, and any equipment failure or error can affect the quality and performance of the final product. Therefore, PCB manufacturers need to attach great importance to equipment selection, maintenance, and management.