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What is the difference between PCB and PCBA?
The main difference between PCB and PCBA is that PCB refers to a bare board, while PCBA refers to a complete circuit board with all electronic components mounted around it, enabling it to function as intended. Unlike a PCB that does not contain the required components, a PCBA is a complete and fully functional circuit board. PCB and PCBA are two different stages of the same process; PCBA is built upon an existing PCB.
The main difference between PCB and PCBA is that PCB refers to a bare board, while PCBA refers to a complete circuit board with all electronic components mounted around it, enabling it to function as intended. Unlike a PCB, which does not include the necessary components, a PCBA is a complete and fully functional circuit board. PCB and PCBA are two different stages of the same process; PCBA is built upon an existing PCB.
In modern electronics, PCBs are fundamental building blocks. PCBs are mechanical support and electrical connection components, made from laminated materials such as fiberglass or composite epoxy resin. Conductive pathways are printed and etched onto the board to connect different electronic parts according to a predetermined PCB design.
There are several types of PCBs:
Single-layer PCB: A single-layer circuit board, sometimes called a single-sided board, has components on one side and a conductor pattern on the other. They have only one layer of conductive material, usually copper. Single-layer circuit boards consist of a substrate layer, a conductive metal layer, and a protective solder resist and silkscreen. You'll find single-layer circuit boards in many simpler electronic devices.
Double-layer PCB: A double-layer PCB, also known as a double-sided or two-layer board, has more layers than a single-layer board but fewer than a multilayer board. Similar to single-sided PCBs, double-sided PCBs also have a substrate layer. The difference is that they have a layer of conductive metal on both sides of the substrate.
Multilayer PCB: Multilayer PCBs are made by stacking three or more double-sided boards. Theoretically, they can accommodate any number of boards you need, but the largest ever made was 129 layers thick. Multilayer circuit boards are commonly found in more complex devices that require a large number of connections. Paths called vias allow different layers to conduct to each other. These paths are categorized into three types: through-hole vias, blind vias, and buried vias.
There are other PCB types, including flexible PCBs, rigid PCBs, and rigid-flex PCBs.
Unlike a PCB, which is a bare board, a PCBA is a finished PCB assembly that requires all electronic components to be mounted to make it work as pre-designed. PCBA can also be the process of assembling a circuit board with important electronic parts.
Currently, manufacturers mainly use two methods for PCB assembly:
Surface Mount Technology (SMT): This technology is the more widely used technology for PCBA. As the name suggests, SMT uses solder paste to directly attach components to the surface of the PCB, eliminating the need for holes in the circuit board. This method allows components to be mounted on both sides of the board, allowing for more components to be mounted on a given board and smaller PCBs compared to PCB assembly using only THT.
Through-Hole Technology (THT): This technology involves inserting component leads through pre-drilled holes on the PCB. This method is not as common as SMT, but it is known for its reliability and strong connections, and in some cases, it can withstand greater vibration and pressure than boards assembled using SMT.
Generally, the PCBA process is as follows, although the steps and order may vary slightly depending on whether SMT or THT technology (or a combination of both) is used: solder paste application - component placement - soldering - assembly inspection - testing.
The connection between PCB and PCBA is very good, and PCBA works the same way as PCB in many industries.
A PCB is a bare board without electronic components. Once all the necessary electronic components are soldered onto the PCB, it is then called a PCBA. In the electronics field, IPCB and PCBA are closely related.
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