Key points in automotive PCB design, manufacturing, and testing
Therefore, the automotive electronics field has put forward strict requirements for the design and production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) to meet the regulatory conditions that must be followed for automotive applications.
Automotive Circuit Board Design
The other two important aspects of designing automotive printed circuit boards, namely thermal management and resistance to impact or vibration, are some of the main features that ensure these PCBs can operate in harsh environments of vehicles.
Thermal management: Automotive printed circuit boards need to be designed in a way that can withstand the temperature generated by the engine and other components of the vehicle. In this trend, designers will still tend to use materials with high thermal conductivity, in addition to modifying PCBs to have heat sinks or thermal holes to help IC dissipate heat.
Vibration resistance: Due to the constant movement and impact of automobiles, automotive printed circuit boards must have a sturdy physical structure. It is best to choose components that focus on seismic resistance and reduce mechanical stress in the layout.
Automotive manufacturing process
step
describe
Material selection
Choose materials suitable for high thermal and mechanical stress, such as FR-4 or polyimide.
Formation of Circuit Patterns
Etch the circuit design onto the selected substrate using photolithography and other methods.
Drilling and electroplating
Drilling is used to install components or create through holes, followed by copper plating to establish connections.
Component Placement
Use automated machines to accurately place components to ensure accuracy.
welding
Solder the components onto the PCB to ensure physical and electrical connections.
Conformal Coating
Applying a protective coating can protect the PCB from moisture, dust, and other environmental factors.
final inspection
Check if there are any manufacturing defects in the completed PCB.
Quality Control and Testing
Quality control is as important as testing during the manufacturing process to ensure that all automotive circuit boards meet the highest reliability and performance standards. Most notably, these tests were conducted in an extremely rigorous manner, including:
Thermal cycle: This is a PCB test that verifies the integrity of components by placing the circuit board under a series of temperatures based on engine thermal conditions. Vibration testing: Attempt to simulate road vibrations to determine whether the PCB can withstand the mechanical stress generated by vehicle operation. Moisture and corrosion: Tests have shown that PCBs can withstand the harsh effects of humidity and corrosive agents in the car environment. Industrial standards: ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and IATF 16949 (for the automotive industry) are some standards followed by the automotive industry. Automotive circuit boards always need to be inspected according to IPC-A-600 Level 3 standards. These standards ensure the quality management system and excellent operation of the system, thereby enhancing the reliability of automotive PCBs under all operating conditions.
These products have developed overall design, manufacturing, and testing procedures for automotive PCBs to meet the constantly changing needs of the automotive industry, making it easier to integrate the most advanced technology into cars.
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