PCB Design

Documentation

Documentation
an essential part of the printed circuit
board design and fabrication process
usually, companies have established
norms, forms, lists and files for the
purpose
certain drawings are considered essential
for the maintenance of reference records

Schematic Diagram
schematic diagram is the most important
component of the documentation which
goes along with the layout design as it
represents interconnection of various
components of the printed circuit board
should clearly spell out the special
requirements which need to be
considered while making the layout design

Special Requirements
heat sources, i.e. components which are
likely to produce considerable heat and
are required to be placed away from the
heat-sensitive components;
critical signal characteristics in terms of
minimizing their length, conductor width
consideration and provision of guards by
ground lines around the signal paths;

Special Requirements
input-output terminations
or connectors which
should have predetermined locations
and the mounting
arrangements of the
PCB in the equipment.

Parts List
For simple circuits, it is not uncommon to
incorporate the component specifications in the
circuit diagram itself. However, for most of the
cases, the parts forming an assembly are listed
on a parts list which may include, depending on
the requirement, the following information:
Reference designation (R1, C1, C2; etc);
Manufacturers code or part number;
Description of the item;

Parts List
Brief specifications; and
Total quantity.

Fabrication Drawing
shows the dimensional configuration of the
board, size and location of the holes, and
material and process specification
The fabrication drawing should show the
non- component side of the PC board and
should include:
Board outline and thickness;
Material (board, conductors and plating);

Fabrication Drawing
Hole location and size;
Registration and mounting holes with
locations and diameters;
Test, inspection and qualification requirement;
and
Change & modification control information.

PCB Fabrication Drawing

Assembly Drawing
it depicts an assembled printed circuit
board with all the electrical components
and mechanical parts contained on a
particular assembly
it also shows the board and instructions

PCB Assembly Drawing

Artwork
Artwork is an accurately scaled
configuration of the printed circuit which is
used to make the master pattern
photographically
this shows only those items which have to
be retained as a copper pattern in the
manufacture of the board

Artwork
it includes all solder pads and conductors
in respect of both their dimensions and
clearances; and their location on the
board
it also carries identifying symbols and test
patterns which may be required

PCB Artwork in Altium

Artwork
Artworks are also required by
manufacturers
details and more examples on PCB
Artwork will be discussed at the laboratory

Documentation File
Front cover: Title, date, version number,
customer details, project features;
Schematic: To be supplied in CAD format on a
diskette;
Bill of material: The parts list;
Parts key: A glossary of the part number
abbreviations, with package sizes, lead
spacing,
tolerance notes and preferred types;

Documentation File
Manufacturing notes: Contains the notes
relating to previous production runs-for
instance problems encountered, methods of
testing, etc.;
Drilling diagram: A diagram showing the
positioning and size of every hole on the PCB;
Printed circuit board layout: To be supplied
in CAD format on a diskette; and

Documentation File
Actual size PCB overlay: A diagram
showing the positioning and identification
of the PCB components. The plan is
printed in actual size to allow components
to be placed against it for checking.

Useful Standards
IPC-2220: Design Standards Series:
Includes all IPC current design standards in
the IPC-2220 family.
IPC-2615: Printed Board Dimensions
and Tolerances: Includes fundamental
dimensioning and tolerance rules, positional,
profile, orientation and form tolerances and
detailed geometric symbology.

Useful Standards
IPC-D-325A: Documentation
Requirements for Printed Boards:
Specifies general requirements for
documentation necessary to fully describe
end-product printed boards; includes
master drawing requirements board
definition and artwork/photo-tooling.

Source
Printed Circuit Boards: Design
Fabrication, Assembly and Testing by R.S.
Khandpur, 2006.
Images courtesy of Google and PCB Lab
Archive Pictures.