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What is the difference between PCBA and PCB?
PCB and PCBA are the results of two different steps in the same overall process. A PCB is a blank circuit board without any electronic components attached, while a PCBA is a complete assembly containing all the components needed for the circuit board to function as required by the application. A PCB is not yet functional, while a PCBA is ready for use in electronic devices.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) are both important terms in the electronics industry. Some people use the two terms interchangeably, but they are actually two distinct things.
The main difference between the two terms is that a PCB refers to a blank circuit board, while a PCBA refers to a circuit board that contains all the necessary electronic components for the board to function as required. A PCB is not yet functional because it does not have the required components installed, while a PCBA is a complete and fully functional circuit board. PCBs and PCBAs are two different parts of the same process—the PCBA is built upon a pre-existing PCB.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the definition of a PCB, the definition of a PCBA, and the differences between the two terms.
What is a PCB?
PCBs are the foundation of modern electronic devices. They mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components. The board itself is made of a laminated material, such as fiberglass or composite epoxy, and contains conductive pathways that connect different parts of the board. These pathways are printed or etched onto the board according to a predetermined PCB design.
PCB Types
The main types of PCBs include:
Single-layer PCBs are simple PCB types with only one layer of conductive material and one layer of solder mask. Components on the PCB are marked using screen printing.
Double-sided PCBs have a layer of conductive material on both the top and bottom layers of the board, which gives them more flexibility and smaller size than single-sided PCBs.
Multilayer PCBs have more than two conductive layers and can be used for more complex applications.
Other common PCB types include flexible PCBs, rigid PCBs, and rigid-flex PCBs.
Materials Used
The substrate material for PCBs is usually fiberglass, composite epoxy, or other laminated materials. The conductive material on one or both sides of the board is usually copper. The printed circuits are also made of copper, which are plated or etched onto the substrate according to the design. The circuits are coated with tin-lead to prevent oxidation. The outer edges of the PCB have contact fingers, which are also coated with tin-lead, as well as other materials such as nickel and gold, to improve conductivity.
What is the definition of a PCBA?
While a PCB refers to a blank board, a PCBA is a complete PCB assembly that includes all the electronic components needed for the board to function as required. PCBA can also refer to the process of assembling the board with the necessary components.
PCBA companies may use two main methods for PCB assembly:
1. Surface Mount Technology
Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is an assembly process that involves mounting electronic components onto the surface of a PCB. This process is highly automated, flexible, and allows for higher connection density. Manufacturers can use this process to mount complex circuits into small components.
The four basic steps of PCBA SMT are:
Prepare the PCB: First, the assembler places solder paste on the board where needed.
Place components: Next, the assembler places the components on the circuit board, usually using a pick-and-place machine.
Reflow soldering: Then, the assembler places the board into a reflow oven and heats it until the solder paste reaches the temperature needed to form solder joints.
Inspection: The assembler performs inspections throughout the SMT process, including before adding components and before and after reflow soldering.
2. Through-Hole Technology
Through-hole technology is an assembly process that involves drilling holes in the PCB through which electronic components (called leads) can be connected. It is an older technology than SMT, but it can create stronger connections between the board and the components, resulting in a more durable and reliable assembly.
Through-hole assembly can be fully automated or semi-automated. The steps in the PCBA through-hole process include:
Drilling: One step in the through-hole process is drilling holes in the circuit board. These holes must be sized to fit the component leads.
Place leads: Next, the assembler places the leads into the holes.
Soldering: The next step in the process is soldering. This step ensures that the components are securely fixed in place.
Inspection: Throughout the process, the assembly undergoes inspection to ensure that the PCBA will function as intended.
What is the relationship between PCBA and PCB?
PCBs and PCBAs are the result of two different steps in the same overall process. A PCB is a blank circuit board without any electronic components attached, while a PCBA is the complete assembly that includes all the components needed for the board to function in its intended application. A PCB is not yet functional, while a PCBA is ready for use in an electronic device.
Because PCB assembly involves various components and processes, manufacturing a blank board is simpler than producing a complete PCBA. The cost of producing a PCBA is also higher than producing a blank PCB. However, both steps are necessary for manufacturing a complete circuit board. You cannot manufacture a PCBA without a PCB. PCB manufacturing is one step in the process, and PCBA manufacturing builds upon that step.
Another difference lies in how PCBs and PCBAs are packaged. PCBs are usually vacuum-packed, while PCBAs require compartmentalized packaging or anti-static packaging.
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