What Is PCB Scoring Tools, Tolerance and Guideness

RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY
What is PCB Scoring: Tools, Tolerance and Guideness

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an integral part of
most electronic devices. They provide the foundation on which
components are mounted and connected. However, not all PCBs are
created equal. The quality and reliability of a PCB depends greatly on the
fabrication process and tolerances used.
One way to assess PCB quality is through scoring. PCB scoring involves
analyzing specific attributes like track width, spacing, hole size, etc. to
determine how closely the PCB matches the original design specifications.
Tighter tolerances generally indicate a higher quality PCB.
This article will provide an in-depth look at PCB scoring. It covers:
 The importance of PCB scoring
 Common PCB attributes analyzed
 Scoring tools and methods
 Typical tolerances and guidance values
 How scoring data is used
 Frequently asked questions
Understanding PCB scoring provides vital insight into board quality. Read
on to learn more about this important process.
Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote
PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Table of Contents
The Importance of PCB Scoring
PCB scoring provides a quantitative way to assess the fabrication quality
and consistency of printed circuit boards. It helps answer the
question: How closely does my board match the original design?
Tight tolerances are critical for several reasons:
Reliability
Boards with tight tolerances are more reliable over time. Features like thin
tracks and spaces see higher failure rates as tolerances widen. Tighter
tolerances minimize risks like short circuits.
Assembly Yield

The assembly process is much easier when PCB tolerances are tight.
Wider variances make it challenging to properly place and solder
components. This lowers yields and increases rework.
Performance
Electrical performance depends on tight layout tolerances. Skews in track
widths or spacings can alter impedance, crosstalk, and other parameters.
This degrades signal integrity.
Interchangeability
Consistent PCB quality ensures interchangeability. If tolerances vary
widely, swapping boards or components may be difficult. This can limit
repair options.
Detection of Process Issues
Scoring provides vital feedback on fabrication processes. Trends in the
data can reveal issues like miscalibration or tool wear. This allows for
targeted process improvements.
In summary, PCB scoring provides key insights into quality and
consistency. This allows fabrication issues to be identified and addressed
early. Tight tolerances are essential for reliable, high-performance circuit
boards.

Common PCB Attributes Analyzed
Many important PCB attributes are commonly analyzed during scoring.
This includes physical features like track widths, hole sizes, spacings, and
more. Here are some of the key parameters typically checked:
Track Widths
The width of copper tracks on the PCB. Good control ensures impedance
tolerances are met.
Track Spacing
The space or isolation between adjacent copper tracks. Tight control
prevents short circuits.
Hole Sizes

The diameter of drilled holes used for component leads and vias. This
affects fit with component leads.
Annular Rings
The copper ring around a drilled hole. Sufficient width is needed for hole
wall integrity.
Mask Alignment
The alignment of solder mask to copper features. Misalignment can
impact soldering processes.
Copper Thickness
The deposited copper thickness after plating. Affects track conductivity
and current capacity.
Registration
Alignment of layers to each other. Important for ensuring reliable
interlayer connections.
Etchback
Reduction of copper thickness from etching. Can impact track resistance if
excessive.

Solder Mask Cure
The degree of solder mask curing. Insufficient curing can cause masking
issues.
This covers some of the most common attributes analyzed. However,
other parameters like via tents, beveling, etc. may also be checked as
needed. The specific attributes scored depend on the PCB design and its
performance requirements.
Scoring Tools and Methods
V-cut machine

Now that we’ve covered which attributes require analysis, let’s look at how
scoring is actually performed. There are a few core methods and tools
used:
Optical Measurement
This uses microscopy and image analysis software to take measurements.
It offers high accuracy but can be relatively slow.
Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
AOI systems use cameras to automatically measure PCB features.
Algorithms analyze the images to check tolerances. Very fast but capital
investment is high.
Electrical Testing
Certain attributes like track width can be indirectly measured electrically.
Simple and fast but not as precise as optical methods.
Cross-Sectioning
Cuts a small PCB sample and uses microscopy to measure internal
features like plating thickness. Very accurate but sample preparation is
required.
Laser/Camera Scanning

Non-contact 3D scanning generates a detailed model for inspection in
CAD software. No sample prep but requires expensive equipment.
In most cases, a combination of methods is used. Optical tools provide
detailed measurement capability while electrical and image processing
techniques enable fast automated batch testing.
Advanced data analysis is also utilized. Statistical methods are applied to
scoring results to characterize fabrication capability over many boards and
builds. This allows fine-grained process control.
Typical Tolerances and Guidance Values
To interpret PCB scoring results, we need to know the target tolerances
for each attribute. While specific acceptable variances depend heavily on
the design, here are some typical guidance values:
Feature Tolerance
Track Width ±10%
Track Spacing ±10%
Hole Diameter ±10%
Annular Ring No less than 5 mil excess ring
Mask Alignment ±3 mil
Copper Thickness ±10%
Registration ±3 mil
Etchback No more than 2 mil reduction
Solder Mask Cure 80% minimum cured

Anything outside the tolerance would be flagged for further investigation.
However, tighter specifications are often required for high density or high
frequency layouts.
It’s also important to analyze the distribution of the measurements, not
just the min/max values. Tight clustering close to the nominal values
indicates solid process control. High variance points to potential issues.
Benchmarking against industry standards like IPC-A-600 provides further
guidance. But ultimately, tolerance settings must align with the specific
needs of the design and application.
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How Scoring Data is Used
PCB scoring provides key data to assess and control fabrication processes.
There are a few primary ways the results are used:
Analyze Manufacturing Consistency

Firstly, scoring provides a clear view of manufacturing consistency. Tight,
consistent results across fabrication runs indicate good process control.
High variability would dictate tuning is required.
Identify Process Issues
The data can pinpoint specific problem areas needing attention. For
example, track width variances may point to resolution issues with
imaging processes. Scoring helps target root causes.
Qualify and Compare Suppliers
Scoring is invaluable when qualifying new suppliers or comparing vendors.
It provides an objective benchmark of their capabilities based on
measurable results.
Feed Back into Design Rules
The results should be fed back into design rules and stackup requirements.
For example, scoring may show that a certain track spacing is prone to
shorts and spacing rules should be adjusted.
Monitor Trends and Capability
Statistical techniques can track scoring trends over time to detect subtle
shifts. This allows the fabrication process capability to be characterized
and optimized.
In summary, scoring provides vitally important feedback. The data drives
continual improvement through refined design rules, process
enhancements, and objective supplier assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few common questions that arise around PCB scoring:
Q: How many boards need to be scored to provide meaningful data?
A: Typically 5-10 boards provides a reasonable sample size. More may be
needed for very high volume designs. Both pilot builds and production
runs should be assessed.
Q: Does scoring increase PCB fabrication time?
A: Slightly, but the benefits far outweigh a small time penalty. Today’s
automated optical tools provide very rapid scoring.
Q: Can every design parameter be realistically scored?
A: Not always – scoring focuses on features prone to high process
variation or sensitivity. But parameters can be tailored to each design.
Q: Is scoring expensive?

A: The material costs are low since it requires just a few PCB samples. But
advanced measurement tools do require capital investment from the
manufacturer.
Q: Can scoring data be provided to customers?
A: Yes, many suppliers provide detailed scoring reports to customers to
showcase quality. However, some view the data as proprietary.
In summary, PCB scoring provides vital feedback that improves quality,
consistency, and reliability. While adding some time and cost, the benefits
for fabrication process control are enormous. When combined with
fundamental process monitoring like IPC-A-600, scoring accelerates
improvements through real-time quantitative data.
Conclusion
PCB scoring offers a data-driven approach for optimizing fabrication
quality and consistency. By leveraging measurement tools and statistical
techniques, scoring generates actionable insights into the manufacturing
process. Tight tolerances are verified, issues are identified, and
improvements can be tracked.
While sampling does add cost, the system-level view provided by scoring
data is invaluable. It provides fundamental feedback needed to achieve

reliable, high performing PCBs that match the original design intent. With
the growing complexity of today’s electronics, scoring is now an
indispensable tool for staying ahead of quality issues before they derail
projects and timelines.
Related Posts:
1. DFM Tools: Picking Proper DFL (Design for Manufacture) Tools for
your Design
2. Top Things to Know about PCB Board Thickness Tolerance
3. Top 10 Best PCB Design Tools
4. How to Make the Most of EDA PCB Design Software Tools
https://www.raypcb.com/pcb-scoring/

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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

What is PCB Scoring: Tools, Tolerance and Guideness

most electronic devices. They provide the foundation on which

fabrication process and tolerances used.

Tighter tolerances generally indicate a higher quality PCB.

This article will provide an in-depth look at PCB scoring. It covers:

 The importance of PCB scoring

 Common PCB attributes analyzed

 Scoring tools and methods

 Typical tolerances and guidance values

 How scoring data is used

 Frequently asked questions

on to learn more about this important process.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

The Importance of PCB Scoring

PCB scoring provides a quantitative way to assess the fabrication quality

and consistency of printed circuit boards. It helps answer the

question: How closely does my board match the original design?

Tight tolerances are critical for several reasons:

tolerances minimize risks like short circuits.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Wider variances make it challenging to properly place and solder

components. This lowers yields and increases rework.

Electrical performance depends on tight layout tolerances. Skews in track

widths or spacings can alter impedance, crosstalk, and other parameters.

This degrades signal integrity.

Consistent PCB quality ensures interchangeability. If tolerances vary

widely, swapping boards or components may be difficult. This can limit

Detection of Process Issues

Scoring provides vital feedback on fabrication processes. Trends in the

targeted process improvements.

In summary, PCB scoring provides key insights into quality and

consistency. This allows fabrication issues to be identified and addressed

early. Tight tolerances are essential for reliable, high-performance circuit

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Common PCB Attributes Analyzed

Many important PCB attributes are commonly analyzed during scoring.

more. Here are some of the key parameters typically checked:

tolerances are met.

The space or isolation between adjacent copper tracks. Tight control

prevents short circuits.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

affects fit with component leads.

The alignment of solder mask to copper features. Misalignment can

impact soldering processes.

The deposited copper thickness after plating. Affects track conductivity

and current capacity.

Alignment of layers to each other. Important for ensuring reliable

Reduction of copper thickness from etching. Can impact track resistance if

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Solder Mask Cure

This covers some of the most common attributes analyzed. However,

Scoring Tools and Methods

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

This uses microscopy and image analysis software to take measurements.

It offers high accuracy but can be relatively slow.

Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)

AOI systems use cameras to automatically measure PCB features.

Certain attributes like track width can be indirectly measured electrically.

Simple and fast but not as precise as optical methods.

Cuts a small PCB sample and uses microscopy to measure internal

features like plating thickness. Very accurate but sample preparation is