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Comparison Between Countersink Vs. Counterbore For PCB

Circuit boards or PCBs have various distinct features which directly affect

their functionality and physical structure. You can think about some

features normally, like the type of material used in PCB and the number of

layers one can have in a board. However, there are a few elements that

get less concern. This includes the number of holes, their type, and the

drilling process. Particularly, some PCBs need screw holes to meet the

board requirement; how these screw holes drill into the board matters

here the most. Thus, there are two basic methods of drilling holes in a

board. Countersink and Counterbore. Each screw call demands distinct

types of holes. The type of screws depicts which method you are going to

use for drilling holes. Countersink holes, Counterbore holes, or maybe

both.

Table of Contents

What is Countersink for PCB?

A countersink represents a hole-type drill into a PCB or circuit board. It

gives the shape of the cone, which allows the screw or fastener to fit

perfectly inside the PCB. Also, these countersink holes have a variety of

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angle dimensions. The standard countersink hole size ranges the angle

between 60, 82, and 90 degrees.

This does not stop here; you may also drill these countersink holes in

different sizes at different angles of 100, 110, and 120 degrees. Moreover,

Chamber angles countersink holes with 82, 90, and 100 become popular

around the industry.

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What is Counterbore for PCB?

Counterbore is also a type of hole bore in a PCB or Circuit board. It comes

in a cylindrical form with a flat surface. This shape allows giving enough

space for the hex head or socket head screw. If your board needs these

types of screws for fastening, then a counterbore hole is what you need.

Counterbore holes can only drill at one angle, zero degrees which also

needs to keep hole efficiency in mind. This also means that one can only

use counterbore holes for solely one purpose. Whereas, unlike

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counterbore holes, countersink holes utilize for different applications with

a variety of angles.

Similarities And Differences Between Countersink Vs.

Counterbore For PCB

Countersinking is a process of drilling countersink holes in a PCB.

Countersink holes come in a variety of sizes with different angles. The

standard angle size includes 90, 82, and 60 degrees, while the less popular

size includes 120, 110, and 100 degrees. Well, the most well-known angle

sizes include 100, 90, and 82. Whereas, unlike countersink holes, the

counterbore hole only has one standard angle size, zero degrees. It acts

and affects in the same manner, just like a countersink hole.

You must work efficiently while drilling holes in the wooden surface

boards. If by any chance you forget to drill the countersink hole, but later

on, force the screw or fastener into a wooden surface. This not only affects

the strength and stability of the wood but also affects its look and makes it

miserable. This is because the fibers of wood get damaged and cracked

easily. However, drilling a counterbore on the surface of wood seems like

a good idea as it does not need accuracy and precision in the sizes of

angles.

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Moreover, all counterbore holes require a socket or flat bottom screw that

can suit the surface easily. Counterbores typically serve a sole purpose,

whereas countersinks serve various purposes due to a wide variety of

angle sizes.

A counterbore hole looks for a tiny coaxial hole opening, whereas a

countersink hole looks like a conical shape. This comes in handy when you

don’t need a screw or fixture’s head into the surface of HDI. Furthermore,

countersink holes can also have various styles and shapes due to their

various angles. But countersink holes give the same depth to all the

screws.

Countersink Vs. Counterbore Symbol

In design and drawing, the symbol represents the actual technique or

material. These symbols provide a space for specification tolerance and

dimensional consistency. However, writing symbols or signs of a quantity

or material is an easier and faster way than spelling out the complete

name. It not only breaks the drawing standards but also makes the work

messy.

Symbols indicated the standard protocols in mathematics, design, and

drawing. In various projects like a blueprint of a house or drawing,

symbols help in conveying information faster. That is why both

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counterbore and countersink holes have symbols. It mostly writes along

with the symbol of diameter and has a figure value.

Symbol of Countersink

The symbol of the countersink hole indicates the alphabet V. The

countersunk hole resembles the alphabet V when you look at it from a

side posture.

Symbol of Counterbore Symbol

The counterbore hole symbol resembles an unfinished square with a top

opening. The symbol comes by taking a look at both counterbore and

countersink holes. Both symbols come in handy in the designs of drilling.

The emblem of diameter represents the deepness and wideness of a hole

in a board. A designer depicts these values based on data provided in such

designs. The symbol of counterbore defines the operation of

counterboring, while the symbol of countersink defines the fastening

operation of countersinking.

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Countersink Vs. Counterbore Drill Bits

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You can drill many holes with the drill bit. Based on the material thickness

and the desired diameter. Both the countersink and counterbore use hole

drills to commence the process. At the same time, drill bits are used to

create countersink and counterbore holes inside a PCB or the material.

Both drill bit holes use a distinct type of material for manufacturing.

Basically, their main goal is to fit the fastener or the screw into the

workpiece of the washer.

One cannot ignore the axis and the length of the crew or the fastener in

the counterbore or countersink hole. Different materials are utilized for

fabrication due to the cavity distinction of both types of holes. A type of

cylindrical hole bores inside the surface of the material for counterboring.

This hole contains a small diameter at the bottom and a large one at the

top.

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The main goal of the hole is to hold both surfaces firmly so that they won’t

separate from each other. The head of the fastener goes into the larger

edge while the shaft goes into the smaller side. Therefore, drill bits of

countersink come in a variety of sizes and styles to adjust various projects

at different angles. There are four basic types of drill bits for the

countersink. This includes flip-style, rocker pro, cross-hole, and fluted bits

countersink.

When to use Countersink Drill Bits?

Make sure to match the size of the drill to the screw while using drill bits of

countersink. A too-large countersink hole swallows the fastener or screw

head. At the same time, a tiny hole doesn’t allow the screw head to fit into

the board. This leads to an unfit mount. However, a question arises, what

if you put the screw inside the hole forcefully? Undoubtedly, if you try to

drive the screw forcefully into the hole, it may damage the material

surrounding it. This happens with both wooden and HDI surfaces.

Same as if the hole is too wide, the screw will get shallow, while if the hole

is too shallow, it will not allow the screw to fit inside the surface. Therefore,

measurements play an essential role in the whole drilling process. To get

perfect measurements, adjust the setting of the countersink. The setting

includes the size of the countersink, the depth of the drill bit, and the stop

location of the center. However, it’s still recommended to first practice

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these measurements over the piece of scrap material. So that you adjust

the setting beforehand if something goes wrong.

Furthermore, never drill faster to prevent chattering. As it leads to uneven

design on the surface of the material. Also, it does not allow the fastener

to fit, which makes your board or material messy and unusable.

Using Countersink & Counterbore In PCB

With an understanding of the basics of both countersink and counterbore

holes, let’s dive into their usage in the PCB. However, both types of holes

are mainly used in wooden and metal surfaces, but they will also go well

for a PCB. PCB also has holes that use drilling techniques, and each hole in

the PCB counts and matters. Some use screw holes. It helps in attaching

the Device with a PCB. The type of screws you want to drill determines the

types of holes you will use in the PCB. A counterbore or a countersink

hole.

· Limited Space & Mounting Security

The Countersink hole plays a vital role in your PCB having compact or less

space. It helps in adding additional features like enhancing the flexibility of

the device. This conical-shaped countersink hole is a typical type of

flat-head screw that requires greater precision and accuracy as compared

to counterbore holes. Once the fastener or screw fits into the board, later

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it becomes easy to adjust the circuit inside the device. The device may

include a watch or a smartphone. A counterbore is easy to drill. However,

it does not fall into an ideal choice for most PCBs.

Countersink holes do not affect the surface of the board and keep it

smooth if drilled correctly. Also, it does not disturb the arrangement of a

PCB. However, counterbore holes come in if you need secure mounting in

a PCB beside a smoother surface or converse space. These holes provide

enough space to fit the socket fixture. Therefore, these holes and screws

make stronger connections. But if you need to conserve surface, then use

countersink holes.

Applications of Countersink Vs. Counterbore

A PCB use is mounted through a screw into a hole. Therefore, both

counterbore and countersink holes can use for stronger and safer

installation. Engineers use automated equipment manually to commence

this process. A counterbore hole is drilled with a grub fastener or screw.

This gives an ideal base for a screw to fit perfectly inside the hole.

Countersink Vs. Counterbore – Uses

In PCBs, countersink holes provide perfect fitting and smooth installation

into compact devices. PCB countersink mostly includes small wearables

and smartphones. A counterbore hole provides a tight fit to a screw in a

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cylindrical manner. Due to its flat bottom, it uses a socket cap-type screw.

This socket screw contains a hex head which needs safe and secure

mounting in a PCB. The application of this type of PCB

includes electronic devices, like washers which need secure and tight

fitting.

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Dimensioning Techniques of Countersink Vs. Counterbore

Aluminum PCB Countersink hole

Dimensioning plays a vital role in the design process. This allows the

designer to convert the drawing into real life. Dimensioning mainly depicts

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the type, size, and material texture used during fabrication and

construction. Dimensioning methods express counterbore and

countersink holes in a chart or a design through various dimension

abbreviations and symbols. These depict the type of surface and provide

zero restriction over the fabrication method. However, these dimensions

typically refer to the note and are followed by hole size.

How To Dimension A Countersink & A Counterbore?

The angular edges in a countersink process go through the recession to

provide a fit to flathead fixtures head which can be rivets, screws, or bolts.

During drawing, it provides the diameter of the surface, its angle, drilled

hole, its diameter, rise, and depth. The cylindrical part and flat bottom of a

counterbore allow the head of the fastener to fit in a recessed part.

During drawing, it provides the depth, diameter, and radius of the corner.

In some scenarios, the remaining shaft thickness can also be dimensioned

in the center. Both countersink and counterbore holes dimension in a

polar and rectangular coordinate form.

Conclusion

Both countersink and counterbore holes use different types of screws in

distinct types of materials. However, both work in a similar manner in a

PCB. A countersink makes a cone-shaped hole, whereas a counterbore

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makes a cylindrical shape hole. This article briefly explains the definition,

similarities, differences, and working principles of both countersink and

counterbore holes.

The screw types that fit in countersink and counterbore holes refer as

countersinks and counterbore. Both use different types of drill bits for

distinct types of materials. Also, this article shows how and when to use

these drill bits in a PCB according to their usage and application.

Moreover, it also describes its symbols, different types of dimensioning

techniques, and their applications.

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