PCB beveler is a less well-known but very important tool, but it plays a vital role in the manufacturing and assembly process of PCB (printed circuit board). It is a tool specifically used to create bevels or chamfers around the edges or holes of PCB.
What is a PCB Beveler?
PCB beveler is a device used to bevel (chamfer) the edges of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Its functions include improving the electrical performance of PCBs, dispersing the electric field through beveling, reducing the risk of electrical breakdown; enhancing the mechanical properties of PCBs, preventing stress concentration and cracking at the edges; facilitating subsequent processing and assembly work, avoiding scratching other electronic components or damaging component pins during the plug-in process.
It has the advantages of high precision, high efficiency, low noise, and low energy consumption. It is widely used in the electronics industry, especially in the production process of consumer electronic products such as smartphones and tablets, which can improve production efficiency and product quality.
What is Edge Bevel in PCB?
Edge bevel is the process of making a transition edge between two sides of a PCB, usually on the outer edge of the PCB. Bevel is often used for edge connectors to allow for smoother insertion into another circuit board socket. Edge connector pins are often called gold fingers because they are plated with gold and have multiple parallel groups together.
Why do PCB edges need to be beveled?
The main reason why PCB edges need to be beveled is to increase the contact area, reduce contact resistance, and improve the stability of electrical connections.
The bevel process increases the contact area between the gold finger and other connectors by processing the PCB edge into a bevel, thereby reducing the contact resistance and improving the stability and reliability of signal transmission.
Specifically, the bevel process has the following advantages in application:
- āIncrease contact areaā: Beveled edges can increase the contact area between the gold finger and the socket, thereby increasing friction and connection stability.
- āReduce contact resistanceā: The bevel design reduces the pressure concentration at the contact point, thereby reducing the contact resistance and reducing the loss in signal transmission.
- āAdapt to different application scenariosā: According to the specific application scenarios and equipment requirements, the bevel angle can be adjusted between 15Ā° and 45Ā° to meet different spatial layouts and electrical connection requirementsā.
The use of PCB beveling machines further improves the accuracy and efficiency of the beveling process. This mechanical equipment can accurately control the bevel angle through a high-precision mechanical transmission system and an efficient grinding process to ensure processing quality and production efficiency.
What are the Benefits of PCB Edge Beveling?
The main benefits of PCB edge beveling include enhanced aesthetics, easy installation, improved electrical performance, and reduced mechanical stress. ā
First, the beveling process can enhance the aesthetics of the circuit board. By cutting the PCB edge at a specific angle, the beveling process makes the appearance of the circuit board more refined and beautiful, which can significantly improve the overall visual effect of the productā.
Secondly, the beveling process is easy to install. The beveling design can better adapt to the structural design of various electronic devices, making the assembly of PCB boards and other components more convenient and precise, and the design of the beveling angle can better achieve the coordination of PCB boards with other componentsā.
In addition, the beveling process can also improve electrical performance. Bevel design can increase the contact area and reduce the contact resistance, thereby improving the stability and reliability of signal transmission.
Finally, bevel design can reduce mechanical stress. The design of the beveled rectangle allows the socket to slowly and gradually enter or exit the jack when plugging and unplugging, thereby reducing the mechanical stress during plugging and unplugging and extending the service life of the socket and jack.
What are the limitations of PCB edge beveling?
The main limitations of PCB edge beveling include the design of the bevel angle, the spacing requirements between the components and the board edge, and the requirements for cutting accuracy and speed. ā
First, the design of the bevel angle needs to be determined according to the specific application scenario and equipment requirements. The common bevel angle range is between 15Ā° and 45Ā°.
In some devices with high requirements for plugging and unplugging force and contact stability, a smaller bevel angle may be selected to increase the contact area and friction between the gold finger and the socket to ensure the stability of signal transmission; while in some occasions with strict restrictions on spatial layout, a larger bevel angle may be used to better realize the assembly of PCB boards and other components. ā
Finally, cutting accuracy and speed are also important limiting factors. PCB beveling machines need to have high-precision cutting capabilities and be able to accurately cut within the specified size range. The cutting accuracy directly affects the quality and reliability of the circuit board.
How Does PCB Beveling Work?
PCB beveling machines are usually composed of a frame, a transmission system, a grinding system, a positioning fixture, and a protective device.
The transmission system uses high-precision gears or screw drives to ensure processing accuracy. The grinding system consists of a grinding head and a coolant system, etc., which are used to grind PCB boards. The positioning fixture is used to fix the PCB board to ensure the accuracy and stability of the processing, while the protective device is to protect the safety of the operator.
During the operation, first check whether the beveling machine is operating normally. If there is a problem, it needs to be repaired. Then, set the beveling angle according to customer needs or the default 45Ā° angle.
Next, adjust the angle of the gong section and the table, adjust the distance of the steel plate according to the thickness of the board, and use a copper plate of the same thickness to test the knife to ensure that the angle of the bevel of the beveled board meets the requirements.
Finally, the grinding process is carried out through the grinding system. The grinding head rotates at a high speed and applies a certain amount of pressure on the PCB board, thereby processing its edge into a bevel.
What are the Applications of PCB Beveling?
The core application of the PCB beveling process is to increase the contact area and reduce the contact resistance, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of the connection. This process is common in the beveling of gold fingers, especially on devices such as computer memory bars and graphics cards. The bevel design of gold fingers can significantly improve the data transmission speed and reliability.
āSpecific application scenariosā include:
- āComputer memory bars and graphics cardsā: On these components, the bevel design of gold fingers can not only increase the contact area and reduce the contact resistance, but also prevent oxidation to a certain extent and extend the service life.
- āOther communication equipmentā: In addition to computer memory bars and graphics cards, the beveling process of gold fingers is also used in various devices that communicate through digital signals, such as consumer electronics, smartphones, and smart watches.
In short, the beveler in PCB is a tool specifically used to create bevels or chamfers around the edges or holes of PCBs. It has the functions of improving the reliability of PCB, facilitating assembly and improving appearance. When using the bevel, pay attention to the correct operation method and maintenance to ensure its normal operation and service life.
