PCB Component Placement Using Contact-Based XYRS Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of electronic components on printed circuit boards (PCBs) often results in errors due to the lack of standardized zero-degree rotation and global X and Y coordinates that do not account for manufacturing tolerances or the actual locations of electrical contact features, leading to incorrect component placement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for PCB component placement that graphically displays design features, allows users to designate electrical contacts for components, and generates corrected XYRS data to ensure accurate alignment with the PCB's electrical contact features, using a user interface to visually identify and associate electrical contacts with component leads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If global X and Y coordinates are used for component placement, then placement information can be specified for the entire panel, but components are placed incorrectly due to skew and manufacturing tolerances not being accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coordinate reference system from global panel coordinates to local component-based coordinates. Each component's position is defined relative to its own footprint features rather than a global origin, allowing individual components to be positioned accurately despite panel-level skew and manufacturing variations. This parameter transformation enables precise placement by making each component's coordinates independent of global coordinate system errors.
2Ease of operation
If standardized zero-degree rotation references are established, then component orientation can be consistently specified, but such standards are not widely adhered to resulting in incorrect rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables components to define their own rotational reference frames based on their footprint geometry rather than relying on external standardized conventions. The system automatically determines the zero-degree rotation angle from the component footprint's characteristic features (such as the angle of the first lead or package edge), making each component self-sufficient in defining its orientation without requiring adherence to industry-wide rotation standards.
3Manufacturing precision
If component placement is based on footprint registration with electrical contact features, then accurate placement can be achieved, but the complexity of determining optimal X-Y position and orientation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the optimal component footprint position and orientation relative to electrical contact features before the actual placement process. The system calculates the ideal alignment between component leads/pads and PCB contact pads in advance, storing these pre-computed coordinates and rotation angles. This preliminary calculation phase separates the complex geometric alignment problem from the execution phase, simplifying the actual placement operation while ensuring high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for printed circuit board (PCB) component placement comprising: graphically displaying, on a display device, PCB design features of a PCB design; and providing a user interface control for designating one or more of the PCB design features as electrical contacts for a first selected electrical component. Other aspects are disclosed.