A PCBA is a fully assembled PCB – meaning a fabricated PCB (bare board) has undergone component mounting and soldering. It’s a functional electronic module ready for integration into end products.
Key Distinction: PCBA
Aspect
PCBA (Assembly)
State
PCB + soldered components
Functionality
Fully operational circuit
Manufacturing
Fabrication + component assembly
PCBA Manufacturing Process
Solder Paste Application:
Stencil-printing solder paste onto PCB pads.
Component Placement:
SMT (Surface Mount Technology): Automated machines place tiny components (resistors, ICs).
Through-Hole (THT): Manual/AI-assisted insertion of larger parts (connectors, capacitors).
Soldering:
Reflow Oven (SMT): Melts solder paste to form connections.