Learning More about the PCB Route
How much do you know about the PCB route? Generally speaking, we all know that PCB routing separates multiple boards from a panel, cutting the board to the targeted size. In the meantime, a majority of slots and notches are cut out in this procedure. However, there are more details related to the PCB route, and we should learn more about it.
About the clearance
Firstly, we need to know that the overall board dimension tolerance may be up to +/-.005’’. This is a good reason to explain why the clearance is quite essential on all board edges. Actually, the copper-to-edge clearance for board edge, slots, and cutouts is .010’’-.020’’ plus the required voltage isolation clearance.
About the guide of route
Apart from clearance, the guide for the routing of the board should be provided on the border of fabrication drawing, in order to create an accurate outline of the board, slots, and cutouts. According to the conventional technology, the minimum (internal) radius is .031’’.If possible, three or more tooling holes of .126’’ are required for the routing of more complex boards.
About the slots that will be plated
As for the slots that are required to be plated, they should be noted and have enough annular ring(similar to the pad annular ring）along with all the layers and inner layers. Besides, the contact between router bit and copper (especially on inner layers) is not desired.
