Automated PCB Panelization Engine for Sub-Board Layout Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PCB manufacturing panelization methods are inefficient, heavily reliant on manual intervention, and prone to errors, leading to low production efficiency and high manual error rates, making them unsuitable for large-scale production.
Innovation Solution
A PCB panelization method and system that automatically reads and compares sub-board information, establishes a panelization rule base, and uses a panelization engine to select and arrange sub-boards based on descending order of size, optimizing panelization and reducing manual dependence, while ensuring all sub-boards are selected and prioritizing larger areas for panelization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual screening and arrangement of sub-boards is used, then staff experience and judgment can be applied, but production efficiency is low and manual error rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of screening and arranging sub-boards with an automated computer system. The system automatically reads purchase order information, compares sub-board attributes, establishes panelization rules, and generates layouts without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual errors and significantly improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically completing the entire panelization process. It independently screens sub-boards, determines panelization rules, selects panels, and generates layouts without requiring staff expertise or manual operation, making the process autonomous and efficient
2Ease of operation
If manual panelization is used, then flexibility in arrangement exists, but dependence on staff experience is high and promotion is not suitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operational flexibility with an automated system that provides standardized, repeatable results. The system automatically applies panelization rules and generates optimal layouts consistently, eliminating dependence on staff experience while maintaining operational simplicity through automated workflows
3Productivity
If sub-boards are manually arranged, then layout optimization can be performed, but production batches are excessive and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically screening sub-boards and establishing panelization rules before the actual panelization process. This preliminary automated sorting and classification enables optimal batch grouping, reducing the total number of production batches needed while improving overall efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board (PCB) panelization method and a PCB panelization system are disclosed herein. The PCB panelization method comprises the following steps: S1, reading daughterboard information of purchase orders, wherein the daughterboard information comprises respective areas, delivery quantities and attributes of daughterboards; S2, performing comparison of the daughterboard information, screening for daughterboards having attributes that are the same, and establishing a panelization rule database; S3, selecting panels (PNLs) satisfying requirements according to panelization requirements; S4, selecting, from the daughterboards having the same attributes as the selected panels, daughterboards to be panelized together for the selected panels, and arranging a graphical layout for a panelization of the selected panels. The system comprises: a reading module-used for reading the daughterboard information of the purchase orders; the panelization rule database for storing the information of the screened daughterboards having the same attributes; a panel selecting module used for selecting the panel satisfying the requirements according to the panelization requirements; and a panelization engine calculation module used for selecting the daughterboards in order from large to small, determining whether the daughterboards can be panelized together, determining whether the arrangement of the layout for the panelization is successful, determining the daughterboards to be panelized together finally, and arranging the layout for the panelization.