RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

PCB Panelization Software Recommendations and Guidelines

Panelization is the process of arranging multiple PCB designs onto larger

panels for efficient board fabrication, assembly and testing. Panelizing

maximizes board quantity per panel and minimizes material waste.

Panelization is typically performed with specialized software tools that

automate placement and routing of boards based on panel design rules.

This article provides recommendations on selecting suitable PCB

panelization software and best practice guidelines for panel layouts to

achieve optimal results.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Panelization

The key benefits of panelizing PCB designs include:

 Reduced fabrication and assembly costs per board

 Improved material utilization with less waste

 Simultaneous processing of multiple boards

 Enabled automation with handling fixtures

 Simplified testing and calibration

 Faster assembly process flow

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Protection of finished boards in panels

 Support for materials like flex or rigid-flex

By panelizing properly with software, average costs can be decreased by

up to 40% versus single board processing.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote

Panelization Software Evaluation Criteria

Consider the following when selecting PCB panelization software:

Input Format Support – Accepts major PCB design formats like ODB++,

IPC-2581, DXF, Gerber.

Output File Generation – Produces panel drawings, drill and fabrication

files, assembly data.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Design Rule Checks – Automatically validates panel clearances, tool access,

placement.

Panel Optimization – Efficiently fits boards based on spacing rules and

material sizes.

Board Rotation – Ability to rotate boards for optimal fit.

Step Panels – Allows creating stepped panels with overlap for panel

breakpoints.

Fiducials and Tooling – Handles adding fiducials, rails, adhesives, labels.

Routed Tabs and Breakouts – Provides options for tab designs and tab

routing between boards.

Multi-Vendor Support – Generates data in formats used by various

fabricators, assemblers, testers.

Integration – Imports designs from CAD tools and integrates with CAM

systems.

Automation – Scriptable to enable batch panelization across multiple

designs.

Selecting software with robust panel design features ensures efficient

panelization.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Panel Design Guidelines

Well-designed PCB panels optimize fabrication, assembly, testing and

depaneling. Guidelines include:

Panel Size

 Select standard fabrication sizes like 18”x24”, 21”x24”, etc.

 Larger sizes enable more boards but impact handling.

 Consider final rigid panel thickness.

 Match panel size to processing equipment.

Board Population

 Pack boards tightly but allow minimum spacing rules.

 Typical spacing is 0.2” to 0.3” between boards.

 Ensure accessibility for probers, pick and place heads.

 Reduce placement scrap fall zones.

Board Orientation

 Orient boards optimally to maximize quantity.

 Rotate boards to align with panel edges.

 Consider number of unique orientations for simplicity.

Route Channels

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Add routing tabs/rails in channels between boards.

 Observe minimum tab width for rigidity during routing.

 Corner chamfer helps reduce tab remnants after routing.

Breakouts

 Use V-Score or mouse bites to form sections for breakout.

 Alternate tab locations between sections.

 Determine if breakouts are manual or routed.

Fiducials

 Add fiducials for assembly and test systems alignment.

 Use generous capture pads.

 Prevent fiducial shadowing by components.

Tooling Holes

 Add tooling holes for alignment pins on assembly/test systems.

 Tooling holes may require greater accuracy than fiducials.

Other Panel Features

 Include panel frame for handling.

 Add adhesives near center and edges to reinforce panels.

 Incorporate debug access points.

 Consider depaneling access holes for boards surrounded by others.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/
 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Panel Fabrication

 Specify tight registration between layers and processes.

 Require excellent drill location accuracy.

 Expect intensive incoming inspection procedures.

Following these guidelines yields reliable, high yielding panels.

Panelization Software Tools

Here are some recommended panelization software tools:

Altium Panelizer – Allows panel planning with automated optimal

placements. Includes design rule checking and output generation.

Mentor Valor Panelization – Supports panel design, documentation,

fabrication and assembly data. Integrates with Xpedition PCB tools.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Zuken CR-8000 Panelization – Performs multi-board panel layout with

extensive rule checks. Links to CAD and CAM tools.

DownStream BluePrint Panelizer – Drag-and-drop panel creation. Links to

CAM for phototools and NC drill generation.

Ucamco Integr8tor – Combines incoming netlists then auto-panels design

with automation capabilities.

PADS Panelizer – Places boards interactively with defined spacing

constraints to generate panels.

InPanel – Auto-populates panels using defined rules. Checking routines

validate panel designs.

There are also panelization capabilities offered by major PCB vendors to

prepare customer designs for volume fabrication.

Panel Waste Optimization

Careful panel planning minimizes material waste. Some optimization

guidelines:

 Assess typical board area versus target panel sizes.

 Determine typical quantities needing production.

 Select panel sizes to minimize unused areas.

 Analyze blank areas to quantify waste costs.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/
 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Group similar sized boards on common panels when possible.

 Prioritize high volume boards on optimized panels.

 Compare alternate orientations and rotations to find most efficient

layout.

 Adjust spacing rules to fit more boards per panel if reworkable.

 Request panel fabrication quotes with expected utilization

percentages.

 Determine cost tradeoffs increasing panel sizes for more boards vs.

material costs.

 Review panel designs regularly as boards change to maximize

usage.

Spending time optimizing panel efficiency delivers significant cost

reductions.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote

Handling Small Boards

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Rotation Panelization

Panelizing can also support easier handling of small boards:

 Group multiple small boards together on panels for stability.

 Surround each small board with generous routing channels.

 Provide open access points in the panel for probing.

 Define panel sections for breaking out board groupings.

 Add adhesives between boards to keep together before depaneling.

 Design panels so boards can depanel individually without disturbing

neighbors.

 Include alignment fiducials near each localized board region.

With care, panelization allows cost-effective volume production of small

boards.

Panel Design Rule Checks

Panelization software should perform design rule checks including:

 Minimum clearance between boards.

 Minimum tab width for rigidity.

 Tab positioning on alternating sides.

 Sufficient fiducial landing area.

 Access spacing for assembly nozzles/probes.

 Allowed panel overhang for board outlines.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Annular ring clearance around tooling holes.

 Elimination of vacant pad or trace exposure whenever possible.

 Validation of minimum web thickness for scoring residuals.

Automated checking prevents defects and ensures a panel is fabricatable.

Panel Fabrication and Assembly Notes

Critical notes to detail on panel drawings:

 Layer registration tolerance.

 Etch compensation requirements.

 Pad geometry and soldermask tolerances.

 Allowable stretch or shrink during lamination.

 Permitted handling grabs/flange regions.

 Drilling entrance/exit constraints for burrs.

 Surface finish control on live tooling hole areas.

 Pad geometry protection near tabs and rails.

 Expectations for untouched fiducial and tooling hole accuracy.

 Breakout force limitations to prevent damage.

 Storage and handling requirements before assembly.

Clear specifications are vital for panel integrity during large volume

fabrication.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Summary

 Panelization software maximizes material utilization, lowers

average costs, and enables automation.

 Select software with excellent optimization, design rules checks, and

output generation capabilities.

 Carefully design panels following spacing, tooling, breakout, and

waste minimization guidelines.

 Validation checks performed by software prevent defects and

ensure panel integrity.

 Panel-level engineering documentation highlights fabrication and

assembly requirements at scale.

Panelizing with capable software combined with robust panel design

guidelines ensures reliable volume PCB production with minimal waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Combination Panelization

What are some key panel design rules manufacturers should follow?

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Critical rules are minimum spacing between boards, tab routing widths,

alternating tab locations, tooling hole annular rings, placement of fiducials,

and clearance for assembly machine access. Setting and following these

rules results in reliable panels.

How can PCB panelization reduce manufacturing costs?

By maximizing board quantity per panel, processing costs are amortized

across more boards. Handling automation is enabled. Material waste is

also reduced lowering raw material costs. Testing time per board

decreases. Total savings average around 40% versus non-paneled boards.

What considerations are important for panel depaneling?

For depaneling, allow open access regions between boards, use generous

router channels with chamfers, allow individual board removal without

disturbing others, incorporate breakout subpanels, and indicate deburring

requirements.

What panel thickness should be used?

Final panel thickness depends on board thickness and

material. Aluminum entry and exit material can increase rigid panel

thickness another 0.062”. Panels above 0.1” thickness may require

handling adjustments.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

How many different board orientations on one panel is optimal?

It is best to limit panel designs to no more than two unique board

orientations when possible. More orientations increases

assembly programming complexity and likelihood of misloaded boards.

Well-designed panels can achieve high utilization with just one or two

orientations.

Related Posts:

1. All You Should Know about HDI PCB Design Guidelines

2. PCB Design Guidelines For EMI EMC

3. RF PCB Design Guidelines You Must Know

4. GPS PCB Design Guidelines and its Importance in Todays Age

https://www.raypcb.com/pcb-panelization-software/

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/