The electronics industry is packed with acronyms and terms that may be confusing to the uninitiated. However, it is imperative that we fully understand all terms used, whether you are an engineer or in any other role. By understanding the common terminology used in PCB manufacturing, we can ensure we work together to present you with a final product that perfectly meets your expectations.
A testing and quality control process that scans the circuit board with a camera to find damaged or incorrectly installed electronic components that could otherwise lead to catastrophic failure of the board.
A type of surface-mount packaging for circuit boards that uses balls rather than pins to mount the component on the board. This style of design allows for a higher density of components to be used on the circuit board.
A complete list of the raw materials, components, connections, and quantities used in the manufacturing project.
Individual parts of an electronic circuit. Each component will perform a different function (such as capacitors storing charge). Components are arranged and mounted on circuit boards.
The process of designing products for easy manufacturing, with the ultimate end goal of creating a good product at a low cost.
The process of designing products with a methodology from the start to minimise issues and support fault detection during the manufacturing process. This can reduce costs, ensure reliability, and bring efficiency to the testing stage.
The sudden release of stored electrical charge. A common example is a static shock. While most static shocks are harmless, in the electronic manufacturing industry, too high a voltage during ESD can result in damaged components, thus requiring robust safety protocols on a manufacturing floor and at testing.
A service that takes a design or idea and manufactures the final product. J-TEQ is an EMS combining technical expertise, specialised equipment, and end-to-end production capabilities.
The electrical testing of a circuit board or electronic device in a simulation of the intended function of said device.
The industry standard file type for PCB designs.
The process of mounting and fixing electronic components to a PCB by hand.
The combination of electronic components on a semiconductor material, such as silicon. Also known as microchips, integrated circuits allow for complex circuit designs in compact spaces.
The testing of an isolated part of an electronic circuit rather than the whole system.
Set forth by the Institute for Printed Circuits, IPC Standards standardise safety and practices across the electronics industry with the end goal of creating better products and safer manufacturing environments.
A Quality Management Systems standard from the International Organization for Standardization. While applicable to many industries beyond the electronics sector, ISO 9001 provides a standard for quality products and service and requires companies to provide a certain level of customer service and drive for improvement.
A Quality Management Systems standard from the International Organization for Standardization, specifically regarding the design, development, production, and servicing of devices in the medical industry. ISO 13485 is developed from the frameworks drawn by ISO 9001 and places emphasis on patient safety and risk management throughout the lifecycle of the product.
A type of surface-mount packaging for circuit boards that uses pads to mount the component on the board. Results in reliable connections and high performance of electronic components.
The structured introduction and testing that brings a product idea through manufacturing and makes it ready for mass production. Since PCB design and refinement can take a lot of time and resources, a good NPI strategy is needed for maximum efficiency.
A company that sells components and products used and assembled by other companies.
The exposed copper of a printed circuit board, where components are soldered onto to create connections and physical support for the board design.
A PCB is a board (often green in colour) where electronic components are mounted, allowing them to work together in a circuit for a specific function. PCBs act as the "brain" or "nervous system" of our electronic devices.
The creation and manufacturing process of a PCB, involving the placement and attachment of components on circuit boards.
A machine used for the quick and accurate placement of components on PCBs.
An early creation of a PCB, allowing for functional testing and refinement to perfect the device before it is sent to mass production.
A surface-mount electronic component with pins on all sides. Most suited for systems that require a high level of space efficiency and compactness.
A surface-mount electronic component with pins placed on the bottom of the device rather than around the sides. Most suited for systems that require a high level of space efficiency and compactness.
A formalised and regulated framework that sets out processes and compliance expectations, used by companies to meet customer and regulatory expectations and drive improvement.
The standard industry method for attaching components to circuit boards. Solder paste is applied to hold components in place, and then the device is placed in a reflow oven to melt the solder and permanently affix the components to the circuit board.
A directive from the European Union to reduce the use of dangerous chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium in electrical and electronic equipment, making it easier to recycle.
An automated process used for the soldering of individual through-hole components, allowing for precise, consistent, and efficient application without compromising nearby SMT components.
The ink layer on top of the green circuit board, showing where the components should be mounted, what they are, and where the PCB's test points are located, in addition to other important safety information.
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is a process for circuit board manufacture where components are mounted directly onto the board rather than attached through drilled holes.
A mixture of solder alloy and flux, the "glue" used to attach components to circuit boards before reflow.
A stainless steel, laser-cut stencil used to control the placement and amount of solder paste used on a circuit board during component mounting.
A drilled hole in a circuit board that passes through every layer.
A defect caused by the tilting of a component on the circuit board, resulting in solder only being applied correctly on one side of the component.
A drilled hole in a circuit board that allows charge to move between the layers. The hole may only extend through a few layers, or it may be a through-hole, extending from one side to the other.
A bulk soldering process used in the mass production of PCBs, where a standing wave of solder passes over the circuit boards.
An inspection method used to observe faults and defects in circuit board components that might not be visible to the eye.
