IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543955
68 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2026 C O N N ECT T H E D OTS Board Inspection Before the process begins, inspect the boards to ensure the plating and etching are effective and that the PCB meets customer functionality requirements. There are two inspection methods to choose from: visual inspection and automated optical inspection (AOI). A visual inspection under magnification by an in- spector is adequate for simpler designs. Inspectors examine board components for various issues and reject those that do not meet quality standards. For more complex, higher-density boards or PCBs where a customer requests higher than P CBs seem to be getting more complex by the day, so it is important for designers to keep educating themselves about the reali- ties of manufacturing increasingly intricate boards. Last month's column highlighted design consid- erations for the strip-etch-strip process and how manufacturers approach that phase of production. Now that we have a functioning board, we must protect the PCB from environmental hazards and document the circuit components. This article will detail the solder mask and leg- end process and offer best practices for designers to ensure a high-quality result. BY M AT T ST E V E N S O N , AS C S U N STO N E C I RC U I TS Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality— Solder Mask and Legend