DESIGNING STEPS OF PCB

Hello Friends,

This is the second blog of the series of PCB designing. Today we are discussing Steps for PCB Designing, Types of Component and methods for mounting components onto a PCB and designing steps.

So before discussing the Method for Mounting Components on PCB, first we will discuss the process or different stages of PCB designing.

In order to design a PCB, one has to follow below steps :

1. Create the schematic

2. Link footprints to the components in the schematic

3. Generate a netlist

4. Create desired PCB shape in PCB editor

5. Import the netlist in PCB editor

6. Define design rules

7. Place the footprint of the component at desired location

8. Route the tracks to form electrical connections       between various components

9. Add labels and identifiers on PCB

10. Generate design file

Types of Components and Its Symbol :-

So these are some symbols that are used to prepare the schematic.

Methods for mounting components onto a PCB.

1. Through Hole:

• Through-hole components are best used for high-reliability products that require stronger connections between layers.
• Through-hole component leads run through the board, allowing the components to withstand more environmental stress.
• This is why through-hole technology is commonly used in military, automobile, and aerospace products that may experience extreme accelerations, collisions, or high temperatures.
• Through-hole technology is also useful in test and prototyping applications that sometimes require manual adjustment and replacement.

2. SMD (surface-mount devices):

• SMD components are much smaller than THM components. This will increase the overall density of the board tremendously.
• Using a Pick and Place machine for placing the components will reduce production time.SMD components are mostly cheaper compared to THM components.
• surface-mount devices (SMDs) are secured only by solder on the surface of the board
• SMD components are not suitable for prototyping or testing of small circuits.
• SMDs cannot be used directly with breadboards
• SMD solder connections may be damaged by potting compounds going through thermal cycling.

EasyEDA Online Tool

We will start from EasyEDA, a great web-based EDA(Electronics Design Automation) tool for electronics engineers, educators, students, makers, and enthusiasts.

There is no need to install any software. Just open EasyEDA in Browser.

EasyEDA Provides:

• Simple, Easy, Friendly, and Powerful drawing capabilities
• Works Anywhere, Anytime, on Any Device
• Real-time Team Cooperation
• Sharing Online
• Thousands of open-source projects
• Integrated PCB fabrication and Components purchase workflow
• API provided
• Script support
• Schematic Capture

PCB Layout:

• Design Rules Checking(DRC)
• Multi-Layer, 6 copper layer supported
• Document export(PDF, PNG, SVG)
• Altium Designer format export
• BOM export
• 3D View
• Generate fabrication file(Gerber)
• Export Pick and Place file
• Auto Router

Designing Steps

1. Open EasyEDA Tool On Browser
2. Register in EasyEDA
3. Create New Project
4. Draw Schematic
5. Convert that file into BoARD FILE
6. Track the air wire
7. Select needed layers
8. Print the Document

Summary

In this second blog, we introduced designing steps. Then we discussed the method of mounting components. Introduced the Easyeda Online tool.

Reference :

• https://payatu.com/blog/rupesh/PCB%20Designing%20-%20Basics
• https://blog.thedigisource.com/through-hole-smt
• https://www.vishay.com/docs/45242/throughholevssmdcomponents.pdf
• https://eprpartner.com/through-hole-vs-surface-mounted
• https://docs.easyeda.com/en/Introduction/Introduction-to-EasyEDA/index.html
• https://circuitdigest.com/article/design-electronic-circuits-online-with-easyeda