PCB Panelization Using The Embedded Board Array

Panel rails provide manufacturing benefits because they create a clearance between components and the edge of the board. Panels are transported along conveyor lines using these edges, allowing component placement on both sides of the board. Aggregating multiple boards on one panel can also reduce costs. Figure 1 is an example of panelization.

All board houses have a minimum supported PCB size. The handling and protection of many small boards during shipping is safer when produced in a panel. X-ray testing is needed for leadless parts like BGAs and QFNs, and this produces extra costs that are more affected by the number of boards rather than parts, but this cost can be reduced by panelizing.