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Design Optimization: How to Avoid Incomplete Milling of Internal Corners in PCB Panels

Published Jan 09, 2024, updated Jan 09, 2024

2 min

When panelizing PCBs with no gap between boards, the outlines of adjacent boards can sometimes form sharp internal corners that cannot be accurately routed without artefacts such as spurs or indents. Panels like this need to be redesigned to ensure complete, spur-free board outlines.


Example V-Cut Panel With Three Boards        
Example V-Cut Panel With Three Boards


Two Possible Routing Strategies And Results
A Possible Routing Strategy And ResultA Possible Routing Strategy And Result


Because the router bit is round, it's unable to reach into tight corners. The unreached parts become sharp spurs after separating the boards.


In order to recreate the rounded corners of each board, the router bit must cut into their adjacent boards, altering their outline.


A Possible Routing Strategy And Result



A Possible Routing Strategy And Result


Optimization Strategies


Four Improvement Strategies for the Example Panel

1. Add drilled holes at internal corners


2. Add separation and mouse bites between boards



drilled holes at internal cornersseparation and mouse bites between boards

Pro: Removes the majority of unreachable material

Con: Small spurs remain


Pro: Clean outlines with no spurs

Con: Jagged edges at the mouse bites after separation




3. Add separation between boards and connect on sides with tooling strips



4. Add sacrificial strips between boards




Pro: Clean outlines with no spurs

Con: Need tooling strips to hold boards together




Pro: Clean outlines with no spurs by allowing overcut

Con: Slightly larger board area – higher cost



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