Circuit Maker ---- Breakaway of PCB

Breakaway is usually on the both sides or all sides of PCB. When the distance between components and edge of the board is smaller than 5mm, breakaway is required. And the width of breakaway is about 3-10mm. 5mm breakaway is most common.

Breakaway and PCB

There is no pad & via holes in breakaway. But location vias and mark points can be seen on breakaway.

Location is required during forming and testing processes, so we add 3 or 4 Dia 3mm location vias on breakaway to get standard forming. As for mark point, there are 2 or 4 dia 1mm ones in a diagonal on PCB for SMT process to calibration position.

Breakaway of PCB can be also named as transport edge, a blank edge for track transmission in SMT process.

PCBA are stably placed on the conveyor by its breakaway

So important role breakaway plays in PCB process, but it is not a part of PCB board. It even can be taken out after PCB assembly. To be more easily taken out, breakaway and board are connected by stamp holes or V-slot.

Stamp holes

V-slot

That breakaway is added on short sides or long sides and how wide the breakaway is are depended on actual production demand.