Stuffing a PCB: The Complete Guide

[cepheid]

To "Stuff" a PCB

Hi,

Does the phrase to "stuff" a PCB simply mean to take your blank PCB and place the components on their footprints and solder everything on, thereby completing the board? I don't want to sound like an idiot if it actually means something totally different.

 

[quadraphonics]

Yeah, pretty much. Although sometimes it refers just to the part where you put the components in place, and not the soldering and so on.

 

[cepheid]

Thanks quadraphonics. Always nice to be "down with" the lingo.

 

[dlgoff]

Yea as quadraphonics says. It probably goes back to before there were surface mount devices. When components were hand "stuffed" in the boards on an assembly line before going to a wave solder machine. Next the leads were clipped.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Yea as quadraphonics says. It probably goes back to before there were surface mount devices. When components were hand "stuffed" in the boards on an assembly line before going to a wave solder machine. Next the leads were clipped.

Actually, the leads are clipped before stuffing with a 'lead prep' machine if the board is to be run through a wave solder machine. If the board is to be hand dipped in a solder pot then the leads are clipped AFTER dipping. I've worked in electronic manufacturing.

 

[cepheid]

Thanks dlgoff for the clarification and Averagesupernova for the first-hand insights. I think the PCB I'll be making will be sent for manufacture and then returned to be "hand-stuffed" by yours truly.

I think that it's pretty neat how the process is automated though.