What is PCB Drilling?

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When we produce Printed circuit boards (PCB), we need to drill some holes through a PCB, this is a critical part of the PCB process, these holes are typically drilled with drill bits. Usually, drilling is done by computer-controlled PCB drilling machines, using a drill file that describes the location and size of each drilled hole.

Holes may be made conductive, by electroplating or inserting hollow metal eyelets, to connect board layers. Some conductive holes are intended for the insertion of through-hole-component leads. Others used to connect board layers, are called vias.

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PCB Drill Hole Types:

• Non-plated through-holes
  • •  Fasteners
  • •  Mounting holes
  • •  Countersink holes
• Plated through-holes
  • •  Press-fit
  • •  Through-hole vias
  • •  Blind vias
  • •  Buried vias
  • •  Microvias
  • •  Thermal vias•

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Drilling holes through printed circuit boards is a common process, an automatic PCB drilling machine will suffice for most PCB manufacturing requirements. Fasteners, Mounting holes, Countersink holes, Press-fit, Through-hole vias, Blind vias, Buried vias and Thermal vias can be finished by automated drilling machine, however, if small precision holes like Microvias are required, laser drilling is employed.

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