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Name of NGM Educator:

Crescenzo Porto, Pre-electrical Engineering instructor, Norwich Tech

Name of Host Company:

Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems Inc.

Grade Level:

10 - 12th

Student Work Types:

• Students will design three different circuit boards using Eagle Software. Each board will use all, or almost all, surface mount components.

• Students will chemically etch the 3 circuit boards.

Task Abstract:

Students will learn how to identify, design with, and assemble surface mount electronic components. They will learn three different assembly methods and learn how to rework surface mount boards.

Task Objectives:

• Identify Surface Mount components
• Design circuit boards using Surface Mount components.
• Manufacture circuit boards that use Surface Mount components.
• Rework Surface mount circuit boards.

Esssential Understandings/Questions:

Surface Mount Components have become the industry standard in electronic component packaging.

• What are surface mount components and how do they different from through-hole components?
• How are Surface Mount circuit boards designed?
• How are circuit boards that use Surface mount components assembled?
• How are Surface mount boards re-worked and repaired?

Task Description:

Students will design three different circuit boards that use almost all surface mount components. Students will chemically etch the three boards. Students will assemble the three boards using three different Surface Mount assembly techniques. Students will trouble-shoot and repair the three circuit boards.

Resources Required:

Eagle PC board design software. Printed circuit board etching station. Fine tip soldering irons and ultra thin solder. Hot air surface mount rework station and solder paste. Surface Mount Reflow oven.

Prior Learning Required:

Students must be skilled at soldering through-hole components. Students must know how to design circuit boards with Eagle software. Students must know how to chemically etch circuit boards. Students must have some experience troubleshooting electronic circuits.

Tech School Electronic Engineering Lab.

Individual or Group Work: 

The work will be primarily individual, however students are encouraged to help and assist each other through all phases of the project.

All IEP and Section 504 accommodations and modifications will be met. Extra help and guidance will be given to students that require it consistent with “differentiated instruction” best practices.

Educator Comments:

This is a long term project. This project will be done concurrently with and in support of other Electronic theory educational goals.