The final manufacturing stage is to cut the PCBs out of the production panel by V-scoring or tab-routing. V-scoring is also called V-cut, V-groove, and together with the tab routing are the usual panel methods in PCB manufacturing. The typical feature of V-scoring is that the top and the bottom side of the panel board are cut with V-shaped scores, and only leave a thin residual ridge between the sub-boards that can be easily separated when using the board.

When it comes to the V-scoring, PCB jump scoring must be mentioned. Jump scoring means that the V-cut blade needs to “jump” over the board surface before getting the end of the panel in some special cases. But this technology requires advanced V-scoring machine and precise program to avoid poor results.

Why use V-scoring for PCB panel?

   The reason why the panel with V-scoring is preferred in PCB manufacturing and PCB assembly is that it is an efficient way to separate the PCBs after the PCB assembly process. And panel with V-scoring is also a cost-effective way in PCB manufacturing, which can save materials and fabrication costs. Another benefit of panels with V-cut is that a panel border is not necessary to provide mechanical stability.

Due to these advantages, V-scoring is usually used to improve production efficiency, no matter for the PCB prototype assembly projects with low-volume, or the mass production of PCB manufacturing.

 But when V-scoring is the only board separation way, only square PCBs or rectangular PCBs with the same size can be panelized because the V-scoring machine goes through the entire board and cannot stop during V-cut process. Tab-routing allows any shapes, but the process is more complex and expensive.

Rules of using V-scoring for panel

l The V-scoring line can only be straight, and it must go through the entire length of the board without jump cuts.

l The full panel size should be larger than 75mm * 75mm and smaller than 450mm*1245mm.

l The space between sub-boards must be 0mm. (The V-cut line is the same as the board outline)

l The minimum breakaway rail (the space between the V-cut line and the outline) is 5.0mm.

l The standard V-scoring angle is 30 °.

l We recommend that using V-scoring only when the thickness of the board is greater than o.6mm. When the thickness is less than 0.6mm, one-sided V-scoring is more suitable.

l Keep the tall components and the parts with large connection areas further away from the V-cut line.

    APOLLOPCB can provide not only precise V-scoring technology but also offer other panel technologies with high quality. We are also confident in meeting your other manufacturing requirements because we have high-end equipment and experienced engineers. If you have any PCB projects, please tell us. We have a professional team to offer the best solution for you!