Start Manufacturing Your Prototype

Manufacturing an electronic prototype is a crucial step in product development. It allows for the validation of technical choices before moving on to mass production. At Risetronics, we simplify this process by guiding you at each step, from design to the assembly of your boards. Here are the essential pieces of information we need to complete your project. 

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Assembly of Your Prototype

Information We Need to Place SMD Components 

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Essential Files

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Assembly of Your Prototype

To place SMD components automatically, we need the following information:
A placement centroid file (Pick&Place)
  • Generated by your CAD software.
  • CAD files of your printed circuit board in the following formats:
    •    .xls(x),
       .txt,
       .csv

    Find the required fields in the .txt example:

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    The coordinates of your fiducial marks will also be included as components (defined, for example, by MIRA, MIRB, MIRC) in this file. 

    A BOM (bill of materials – xls/ods)
  • It specifies for each component:
    •    Passive => package, tolerances, voltages, manufacturer reference, supplier references
       Active => package, exact manufacturer reference, supplier references

    Attention:
  • Indicate for which components we can propose equivalents.
  • Specify components not mounted on your board.
  • Important: always ensure your BOM is synchronized with the Pick&Place file.

    • Solder Paste Files (top and/or bottom)
  • These files are essential for us to create the stencil.
    •        They are usually included in your Gerber files if we manufacture your PCB.
           If you handle the ordering and supplying of your PCBs, we at least need these files.

    Component Placement Plan
  • When assembling the board, it is useful to have a PDF file of component placement or a 3D file where the components are shown as "mounted" on your PCB.
  • In the PDF, the component silkscreen indicates orientation / pin 1 for ICs, polarity of diodes, connector keying, etc.

    • Essential Files


    CAD Files (Computer-Aided Design):
  • The CAD files for your printed circuit board in the following formats:
    •    ODB++ (preferred),
       Gerber (Extended),
       DPF,
       Eagle (.brd),
       Altium.

    Please make sure to include:
  • The Drill file – Drill (.txt in Excellon, or Gerber)
  • The board outline / mechanical specs / Slots / Vcuts / Technical borders / etc.
  • The layer stack-up (PCB thickness, number of layers, order, prepregs, trace thickness, TG min, UL, etc.)
  • If needed, trace data for controlled impedance.
  • Silkscreen files for Top and/or Bottom.
  • The finish. (HAL lead-free or Ni/Au are the most common)
  • Solder Resist Color. (Standard: green) – other common options: red, blue, black.
  • Solder paste files for SMD components (top and/or bottom)
  • An additional file clearly indicating polarities of ICs, diodes, tantalum capacitors, connectors, etc.
  • Information on special vias.

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    If necessary, add your data for controlled impedance trace characteristics.
    (Differential and/or SE) 

    Can I order my PCBs myself?

    Add technical borders around the PCB.
    If the PCB is small in size:
    create a panel with technical borders and a separation between the boards.

    Note: Always consult us before ordering your PCBs regarding the panel size/number of boards per panel.

    The separation between the boards in the panel and the technical border can be either: 

    • Milled with perforated tabs (Perforated separators) or "routed" Risetronics Risetronics
    • V-Cut / Scored Risetronics
    Insert fiducials on the short sides of the technical border (see yellow arrows in the examples of Perforated separators or V-Cut).
    Always add at least 2 fiducials on your PCBs, on each side to be assembled in SMD – placed diagonally and at least 5mm from the edges of the board.

    Examples of fiducials: :
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    The ideal format for the fiducial:

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    Diameter: 1mm and free circular space around of +/- 1mm - No traces / silkscreen / Solder Resist – see image above and below:

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    Always add at least 2 fiducials on your PCBs, on each side to be assembled in SMD – placed diagonally and at least 5mm from the edges of the board.

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    Define your fiducials as a component in your CAD library and include their coordinates in your Pick&Place file.

    Any other questions?

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    Contact Us

    Risetronics


    Address :
    Bd de la Deuxième Armée Britannique 39, 1190 Forest, Belgium

    Contact :
    Tel. : +32 (0)2 346 36 05
    Email : info@risetronics.be

    Management : Jean-Michel Van Trappen - jmvt@risetronics.be
    Administration : Marie-France Lemlin - mfl@risetronics.be



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