• Have any question ?+86 139 2957 6863
  • Send emailop@topfastpcb.com

Get a Quote

Common Requirements for PCB Boards in PCBA Processing

by Topfast | Tuesday May 20 2025

In the field of electronic manufacturing, the quality and efficiency of PCBA processing largely depend on the design and manufacturing standards of PCB boards. As a one-stop PCBA intelligent manufacturing provider, we understand the importance of adhering to industry best practices for product quality. This article details six core requirements for PCB boards in PCBA processing, helping you optimize production processes and enhance product reliability.

PCB Material Selection

Material Properties Determine Application Scenarios
PCB substrate materials are fundamental factors affecting circuit performance. FR-4 fiberglass epoxy laminate is the preferred choice for most electronic products due to its excellent cost-performance ratio, featuring:

  • Good mechanical strength
  • Moderate dielectric constant
  • High cost-effectiveness

Special Application Requirements
For high-frequency circuits or high-power devices, we recommend:

  1. Ceramic Substrates: Excellent high-temperature resistance (withstands above 300°C)
  2. Aluminum Substrates: Outstanding heat dissipation (thermal conductivity up to 2-4W/4W/mK)

Thickness Standards
The industry standard thickness is 1.6mm ±10%. Boards thinner than 1.0mm are prone to deformation during processing, affecting SMT placement accuracy.

Dimensional Tolerance Control

Machining Standards
PCB outline dimensional tolerances should be strictly controlled within ±0.1mm, which is critical for:

  • Housing fit accuracy
  • Connector alignment reliability
  • Batch production consistency

Design Recommendations
Maintain at least 3mm of process edges on PCB borders to facilitate clamping and positioning in automated production lines.

Pad Design Specifications

Component Matching Principle
Pad design must precisely match component pin dimensions:

  • 0603 package: Recommended pad size 0.8mm × 1.0mm
  • SOIC package: Pads should extend 0.3-0.5mm beyond pins

Spacing Requirements
Minimum pad spacing standards:

  • Standard components: ≥0.2mm
  • BGA components: ≥0.15mm

BGA Design Key Points
For 0.5mm pitch BGAs, NSMD (Non-Solder Mask Defined) pad design is recommended, improving soldering reliability by approximately 30%.

Trace Design Standards

Current Carrying Capacity
Trace width vs. current (1oz copper thickness):

Current (A)Minimum Trace Width (mm)
10.25
30.75
51.50

Spacing Specifications
Per IPC-2221 standards:

  • Low-voltage circuits (≤30V): ≥0.1mm
  • Medium-voltage circuits (30-100V): ≥0.6mm
  • High-voltage circuits (≥100V): Calculate as 0.6mm/kV

Via Design Optimization

Hole Size Design Principles
Recommended hole size: 0.2mm larger than component pins:

  • Standard through-hole components: 0.8-1.0mm hole size
  • High-density designs: Minimum 0.3mm (laser drilling required)

Current Carrying Solutions
For high-current paths:

  1. Use multiple vias in parallel
  2. Increase via copper thickness (up to 2oz)
  3. Apply conductive epoxy filling

Surface Finish Technologies

Common Process Comparison

Process TypeThickness (μm)AdvantagesApplication Scenarios
HASL1-25Low costConsumer electronics
ENIGNi3-5/Au0.05-0.1High flatnessPrecision BGA
OSP0.2-0.5Eco-friendlyShort-term storage products

Selection Recommendations
High-frequency signal circuits should use ENIG, reducing signal loss by approximately 15%.

Common Issues and Solutions

Production Challenge Countermeasures

  1. Soldering Defects: Optimize pad design + adjust reflow profile
  2. Short Circuits: Enhance AOI inspection + increase test coverage
  3. Impedance Control: Use high-frequency materials + strictly control trace width tolerance

Quality Assurance Measures
We provide:

  • DFM (Design for Manufacturability) analysis services
  • 3D PCB simulation verification
  • 100% electrical testing

Conclusion: Optimizing PCB Design Enhances Overall Value

By following these PCB design specifications, customers can achieve:
✓ 20-30% improvement in production efficiency
✓ Defect rates reduced to <500ppm
✓ Approximately 25% longer product lifespan

We recommend involving PCBA manufacturing experts early in the product design phase to avoid costly late-stage modifications through collaborative design. Optimizing PCB design not only improves product reliability but also significantly reduces overall production costs, creating a competitive market advantage for your products.

Latest Posts

View More
Contact us
Talk to Our PCB Expert