Design Guidelines for Surface Mount Technology

Book excerpt: Design Guidelines for Surface Mount Technology covers the basics and the mechanics of surface mounted design technology. Surface mount technology (SMT) embodies an automated circuit assembly process, using a generation of electronic components called surface mounted devices (SMDs). Organized into eight chapters, the book discusses the component selection, space planning, materials and processes, and total concept needed to ensure a manufacturable design. The opening chapters of the book examine the significant requirements and variables affecting SMT and SMDs. The book then deals with the substrate materials specifications, including fabrication and material planning, assembly, design rules, layout guidelines, package outlines, and bar code labeling. The next chapters describe the manufacturing and assembly processes in SMDs and process-proven footprint patterns for each of the component types used, as well as guidelines for creating a suitable pattern on future products. Other chapters discuss the component spacing requirements for SMT and the generation of footprint patterns for passive and active components of SMDs. The concluding chapter describes the design criteria for maximizing machine insertion of leaded electronic components into printed circuit boards (PCBs). These criteria aid the PCB designer by detailing the considerations and some of the trade-offs that will provide reliable insertion in a production environment. Supplementary texts on surface mount equipment, supplies, and services are also provided. Design engineers and researchers will find this book invaluable.