PCB Jump V-Scoring

This Gold Phoenix PCB Knowledge Center article explains V-scoring and the PCB jump scoring process.

Many in the electronics industry use V-scoring and PCB jump scoring when working with printed circuit boards. But what is V-scoring, and why might you want to use it for your PCBs?

What Is V-Scoring?

V-scoring is when you cut double-sided marks into the laminate of the printed circuit board to make it easier to remove individual parts from the circuit board array. To V-score your boards requires a scoring tool consisting of a top and a bottom cutting blade that you run across the panel in a straight line. In some scoring machines, you pull the panel through the blades to create the scoring.

Why Use V-Scoring for Printed Circuit Boards?

V-scoring is used in printed circuit board assembly because it provides an efficient way to separate parts from a completed assembly. V-scored PCBs can simplify the separation of individual boards from an array.

What Is the PCB Jump Scoring Process?

There are situations where you do not want the V-score to go through the PCB rails of the array. When you have heavy components or thin laminates, you may need the waste rails to maintain the strength of the array so the individual parts do not fall apart before you finish the assembly. In this case, you will need to lift the blades off the laminate surface before you get to the end of the panel. The name of this process is PCB Jump Scoring because the blades need to “jump” over certain parts of the array.

When jump scoring is required, the V-scoring equipment must be capable of lifting the blades from the laminate at the appropriate point. The latest V-score equipment allows the blade-lift points to be programmed for the panel. It is important that jump scoring be performed correctly, because allowing the blades to jump too early can result in reduced V-score depth and more difficulty separating parts from the array. When designing a PCB with jump scoring, accurately indicate and define jump score parameters on the design drawing.