Introduction to SMT Design

For those that are new to SMT or unsure about many of the aspects of SMT, this is an excellent source of information. This course covers in-depth all the topics that pertain to SMT designing. Included is information that is useful to both those new to SMT as well as those trying to convert existing through hole technology designs to SMT.

A key to being successful in SMT is to establish a firm knowledge about SMT and its options. This course was specifically designed to provide a total understanding to new users of SMT about the packages, processes, design options and basic design rules required. All this builds upon upon your present knowledge of leaded parts and designs and thoroughly explains the changes that happen when going to SMT.

This course will prove invaluable in helping to avoid the many problem areas that new users so often encounter.

Who Would Benefit:

The attendees of this course typically include circuit and CAD designers, manufacturing engineers, QA engineers, test engineers, project managers, purchasing, and any other personnel directly involved in making key decisions or using SMT.

Course Outline:

Intro to SMT

• This section covers the reasons that users are going to SMT and what some of the limitations are.

SMT Packages

• In SMT the standard, new packages and lead styles for chips through ICs are presented

SMT Land Patterns

• For designing the land pattern size, shape and fuction are crucial. The patterns must be adaptable for different processes. This section details land pattern construction and optimization, comparing to IPC.

SMT Assemblies

• The different assembly types and sequences of assembly are presented so the blending of leaded and SMT design rules are thoroughly understood.

Design Considerations for Manufacturing

• The requirements of designing for assembly, test, rework and different levels of automation are reviewed.

PCB Fabrication

• The many changes that occur when using SMT such as hole sizes, solder mask, plating, line width/space are presented. The requirements needed on the fabricatin drawings are detailed.

CAD Systems

• Criteria for selecting systems, setting up SMT and the implementation are discussed.

SMT Design Rules

• This section details the basic design rules necessary for the designing of SMT boards.

Course Materials: SMT Fundamentals of Product Design Manual
Instructor: James C. Blankenhorn