Design PCBA for Cleaning

Electronic assemblies has changed dramatically in the past 15 years. Decreased chip size, introduction of bottom terminated components and implementation of heterogen integration make cleaning more challenging than in the past.

It is necessary to set rules for components configuration, sort-out some components which have not optimal design of package and be familiar with challenges, which may cause violation of that rules.

For more information on this topic go to page Reliability and download an article Design for cleaning.

1: Gap under component

Design PCBA for cleaning 1

Proper PCB should have the pad and solder mask in the same level. Solder thickness -50-60% of printed solder paste. May vary upon the package weight!

Design PCBA for cleaning 2

Too thick solder mask – zero thickness of gap. Not cleanable!

Design PCBA for cleaning 3

Reverse chip geometry + lone under chip – challenge for cleaning!

Design PCBA for cleaning 4

Lines under chip – challenge for cleaning.

2: Components with tricky gap

Design PCBA for cleaning 5

Multilayer ceramic chips have convex bottom – gap seem to be higher than it is.

Design PCBA for cleaning 6

MELFS are heavy – it press the solder – can easy touch solder mask with body!

Design PCBA for cleaning 7

Some types of SOD with leads in the body bottom level are not stable – tilting shrinks the gap!