PCB Manufacturing Process
21 stages, each with its control point.
Pre-engineering (CAM)
Control point — Working data matches the reviewed process limits, compensation and panel layout
Material cutting
Control point — Laminate grade and thickness, cut size, panel edge quality
Inner-layer imaging
Control point — Exposure energy matched to development, line-width consistency
Inner-layer etching
Control point — Etch rate and bath concentration, line-width compensation per copper weight (to over 12 oz)
Inner-layer AOI
Control point — Reference data correctness, defect judgement to the ordered IPC-A-600 Class 2 or Class 3
Lay-up and lamination
Control point — Layer registration, post-lamination thickness, resin fill
Mechanical drilling
Control point — Hole position accuracy, wall roughness, drill bit life
Electroless copper (PTH)
Control point — Desmear etch-back and wall texture, electroless copper coverage (backlight test)
Outer-layer imaging
Control point — Exposure energy and development speed, image-to-drill registration on targets
Copper plating
Control point — Current density, rectifier waveform and additives for plating uniformity; hole copper verified by microsection against the specified IPC class
Outer-layer etching
Control point — Bath concentration, temperature and conveyor speed for a stable etch factor; measured line width within design tolerance
Outer-layer AOI
Control point — Comparison against the original design data, every call confirmed by manual review
Soldermask
Control point — Post-development bake cure, film thickness, opening registration
Silkscreen legend
Control point — Legend registration and legibility, no ink on pads or annular rings
Surface finishing
Control point — Nickel, gold or silver thickness per the selected finish; wetting confirmed by solderability test
Forming
Control point — Length, width, slots and edge condition measured against the drawing; V-cut remaining web and routed edges free of delamination or burrs
Electrical test
Control point — Test program generated from the original design data, every net covered
FQC final inspection
Control point — Sampling rate and judgement criteria, AVI Gerber revision identical to the production revision
Packaging
Control point — Vacuum seal integrity, desiccant and humidity indicator valid
Delivery
After-sales support
