Non - soldering Technologies for Connectors in PCBA Processing - Press - fit Process

I. What is a Press - fit Hole?

A press - fit hole is a special type of via in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Different from the traditional soldering - based connection method, components can be directly inserted and fixed through press - fit holes. It conducts electric current by means of the contact between the pins and the hole walls, thus enabling signal transmission. This design is widely used in the field of high - speed signal transmission, as it can effectively reduce signal loss and enhance anti - interference capabilities.

II. Characteristics of Press - fit Holes

· Welding - free: The unique design of press - fit holes allows components to be directly inserted into the holes for fixation without the need for soldering operations, greatly simplifying the assembly process.

· High - precision requirements: Press - fit holes have extremely strict requirements for hole diameter tolerances, generally controlled within ±0.05mm. For some more precise designs, the tolerance can even reach ±0.025mm.

· Signal transmission advantages: By relying on the contact between the pins and the hole walls to conduct current, press - fit holes perform outstandingly in high - speed signal transmission and can significantly reduce signal loss.

III. Application Scenarios of Press - fit Holes

Press - fit holes are mainly applied to standard PIN - foot components. Especially in PCB designs for high - speed signal transmission, they can provide excellent signal anti - interference capabilities and reduce signal loss. Press - fit holes are often seen in the backplane designs of communication products.

IV. Differences between Press - fit Holes and Through - holes

The differences between press - fit holes and through - holes are mainly reflected in hole diameter tolerances and fixation methods. Press - fit holes have stricter tolerances, usually ±0.05mm, while the tolerances of through - holes are relatively looser. In addition, press - fit holes achieve fixation and electrical conduction through the contact between the pins and the hole walls, while through - holes need to be fixed by soldering or other means.

V. Press - fit Process and Common Problems in PCBA

When components are assembled on a PCB, it becomes a printed circuit board assembly, namely PCBA (PCB Assembly). In addition to the common SMT (Surface Mounted Technology) and THT (Through - Hole Technology, also known as DIP insertion), there is also a press - fit process for component assembly on the board.
Press - fit (Press Fit) is a non - soldering process. The pins of the press - fit connector are pressed into the through - holes of the PCB by mechanical external force, and the electrical connection is achieved through mechanical connection.

The following figure is a schematic diagram of the principle of a press-fit connector. The pins of the component are in a fish-eye shape.

VI. Advantages of the Press-Fit Process

· Reliable Quality: As the press-fit process doesn't require soldering, it avoids all soldering-related quality issues, such as solder bridging, insufficient soldering, and poor solder height.

· Connector Protection: This process prevents damage to the connector body caused by the high temperatures in reflow soldering or wave soldering processes, effectively preventing damage or breakage at the connector interface.

· Oxidation Prevention: Without the use of solder and flux, it avoids oxidation of the soldering surface and the oxidation of the internal metal contact surfaces of the connector caused by substances like rosin.

PCBMASTER, as a professional manufacturer of press-fit hole PCBs, has a strong capability to produce high-speed back-drilled press-fit hole PCBs. During the design, production, and testing processes, the company uses the most advanced technologies and equipment to fully ensure the quality and performance of its products. Whether it's for high-speed interconnections in data centers, high-performance computing (HPC) systems, or high-end consumer electronics, PCBMASTER's high-speed back-drilled press-fit hole PCBs are the ideal choice.