Assembly Drawing: All You Need To Know About

Your Gerber files show what to fabricate. Your bill of materials lists what to buy. But how does the assembler know where everything goes, which way components face, and what special instructions to follow? That's where assembly drawings come in.

A well-crafted assembly drawing prevents costly errors and miscommunication. A poorly made one causes confusion, delays, and scrapped boards. This guide covers everything you need to create assembly drawings that manufacturers love.

What is a PCB Assembly Drawing?

An assembly drawing is a technical document that shows exactly how to populate a bare PCB with components. It provides visual and written instructions that guide the assembly process from bare board to finished product.

Think of it as the instruction manual for building your specific circuit board. Without clear assembly documentation, even a simple board can be assembled incorrectly.

Assembly Drawing vs. Other Documentation

Assembly drawings work alongside other PCB documentation:

• Gerber files: Define PCB fabrication (copper, mask, drill)
• Bill of Materials (BOM): Lists every component with specifications
• Pick-and-place file: Provides machine coordinates for automation
• Assembly drawing: Shows placement visually with instructions

Each document serves a purpose. The assembly drawing bridges the gap between the data files machines read and the visual understanding humans need.

Essential Elements of an Assembly Drawing

Board Outline and Dimensions

Start with the complete board outline showing:

• Overall board dimensions
• Board thickness
• Critical dimensions for mounting or enclosure fit
• Tolerance specifications where needed
• Corner radii or chamfers

This gives assemblers and inspectors immediate reference for the board they're working with.

Component Placement Views

Top View

Show all top-side components with:

• Reference designators (R1, C5, U3, etc.) clearly visible
• Component outlines matching actual part footprints
• Polarity indicators for polarized components
• Pin 1 indicators for ICs

Bottom View

For double-sided assemblies, include a separate bottom view. Present it as a mirror image (as if looking through the board) to match the assembler's perspective when flipping the board.

Isometric or 3D Views

When helpful, include isometric views showing:

• Component heights and relationships
• Connector orientations
• Tall component placement near other parts

Modern CAD tools generate 3D views easily; use them when they add clarity.

Reference Designator Placement

Reference designators must be:

• Clearly visible, not overlapping components or each other
• Large enough to read (minimum 0.050" or 1.27mm text height)
• Consistently placed (above, below, or beside components)
• Present for every component on the BOM

When component density prevents clear labeling on the main view, use leader lines pointing from designators in clear areas to their components.

Component Orientation Details

Polarized Components

Show polarity markings clearly for:

• Electrolytic and tantalum capacitors (positive/negative)
• Diodes (cathode band)
• LEDs (cathode indicator)
• Connectors (pin 1, key, or asymmetric housing)

Integrated Circuits

Mark pin 1 location with:

• Dot or chamfer matching the physical package
• Pin 1 text label when space permits
• Clear relationship to surrounding pins

Incorrect IC orientation causes immediate failure and potential damage—make this impossible to misinterpret.

Critical Dimensions and Callouts

Detail Views

When areas need clarity, add enlarged detail views showing:

• Fine-pitch component areas
• Dense component clusters
• Unusual mounting configurations
• Areas with tight tolerances

Include a scale indicator and reference pointer connecting the detail to the main view.

Sectional Views

For complex assemblies, sectional views reveal:

• Component heights above the board
• Clearance between components
• Mounting hardware engagement
• Heat sink relationships

Mechanical Components

Not every assembly component appears in the schematic. Include:

• Heat sinks and thermal interface materials
• Mounting brackets and hardware
• Strain reliefs and cable clamps
• Labels, barcodes, and identification tags
• Conformal coating boundaries
• Potting or encapsulation areas

Show mounting hardware with proper fastener callouts (screw size, torque specifications).

Fiducial Markers

For automated assembly, clearly identify:

• Global fiducial locations (typically three for board orientation)
• Local fiducials near fine-pitch components
• Fiducial specifications (size, copper/mask requirements)

Fiducials are critical for pick-and-place machine alignment. Missing or unclear fiducial documentation causes assembly delays.

Assembly Notes: Written Instructions

The drawing itself can't convey everything. Assembly notes provide crucial written instructions.

Standard References

Specify applicable standards:

• IPC-A-610: Acceptability standards for electronic assemblies
• IPC-J-STD-001: Soldering requirements
• IPC-7711/7721: Rework and repair standards
• Customer-specific requirements: Workmanship standards beyond IPC

Reference the class level (Class 1, 2, or 3) that defines acceptable workmanship for your product.

Soldering Specifications

Define soldering requirements:

• Solder alloy (SAC305, Sn63/Pb37, etc.)
• Flux type and activity level
• Lead-free vs. leaded requirements
• RoHS compliance requirements

Special Process Instructions

Document non-standard operations:

• Components requiring hand soldering after reflow
• Press-fit connector installation procedures
• Thermal compound application
• Conformal coating requirements and keep-out areas
• Underfill application for BGAs
• Staking or adhesive application points

Torque Specifications

For mechanical fasteners, specify:

• Fastener torque values with tolerances
• Installation sequence for multi-point mounts
• Thread-locking compound requirements
• Tightening patterns for thermal interfaces

Cleanliness Requirements

Define cleaning expectations:

• Cleaning method (aqueous, solvent, no-clean)
• Cleanliness testing requirements (ionic contamination limits)
• Areas requiring protection during cleaning

Bill of Materials Integration

The assembly drawing and BOM work together. Ensure:

Matching Reference Designators

Every reference designator on the drawing must appear in the BOM. Every BOM line item must appear on the drawing. Mismatches cause parts to be missed or duplicated.

Clear Part Identification

The BOM should include:

• Reference designator
• Quantity
• Manufacturer part number
• Approved alternates
• Component description
• Package/footprint

Revision Control

Keep drawing and BOM revisions synchronized. A drawing revision without corresponding BOM update (or vice versa) creates confusion.

Best Practices for Clear Documentation

Consistent Conventions

Use the same conventions throughout:

• Consistent text sizes and fonts
• Standard symbols for polarity (+ and -, cathode bands)
• Uniform dimensioning style
• Consistent layer colors if using color

Readable Formatting

Make documentation easy to use:

• White or light backgrounds for printability
• Sufficient contrast for copying and scanning
• Logical organization matching assembly sequence
• Page size appropriate for shop floor use

Completeness Checks

Before release, verify:

• All components on the BOM appear on the drawing
• All designators are readable
• Polarity is shown for all polarized components
• Pin 1 is marked on all ICs
• Special instructions cover all non-standard operations
• Drawing revision matches BOM revision

Version Control

Maintain revision history:

• Use revision letters or numbers consistently
• Document changes in revision blocks
• Date all revisions
• Archive superseded versions

Common Assembly Drawing Mistakes

Overlapping Designators

When designators overlap components or each other, assemblers guess. Use leader lines or separate views to keep everything readable.

Missing Polarity Indicators

Assuming assemblers will figure out component orientation causes failures. Show every polarity marking explicitly.

Outdated Documentation

Using old drawings with new BOMs creates mismatches. Always verify documentation matches current design state.

Illegible Details

Small text, low contrast, or poor resolution makes shop floor use difficult. Design for the worst printer and lighting conditions.

Incomplete Instructions

Assuming assemblers know your intentions leads to errors. Document anything that isn't obvious from standard practice.

Inconsistent Scales

Mixing scales without clear indication confuses viewers. Label every view with its scale, and use consistent scales when possible.

File Formats and Delivery

PDF Format

The standard for human-readable assembly drawings. Ensure:

• Vector graphics, not rasterized images
• Searchable text
• Appropriate resolution for detail views
• Reasonable file size for email transmission

Native CAD Files

Some manufacturers prefer native CAD formats for flexibility. Common options:

• DXF for mechanical integration
• ODB++ for comprehensive design data
• IPC-2581 for standardized exchange

Intelligent Data Formats

Modern processes increasingly use data-driven assembly rather than drawings:

• Pick-and-place files with component data
• 3D models for automated inspection
• Integrated BOM-to-placement databases

Even with intelligent data, assembly drawings remain valuable for manual operations, inspection, and troubleshooting.

Creating Assembly Drawings: Practical Workflow

Step 1: Export Board Artwork

Generate clean exports from your PCB design tool:

• Silkscreen layer
• Component outlines
• Board outline
• Reference designators

Step 2: Add Detail and Callouts

In your drawing tool, add:

• Dimensional callouts
• Detail views for complex areas
• Polarity emphasis
• Special markers and instructions

Step 3: Write Assembly Notes

Draft comprehensive notes covering:

• Standards references
• Special process requirements
• Material specifications
• Handling instructions

Step 4: Review and Verify

Check against your BOM and design files:

• Verify all components shown
• Confirm polarity indicators
• Check dimensional accuracy
• Validate note completeness

Step 5: Release with Revision Control

Add revision block, date, and approvals. Archive with associated design files for future reference.

The Bottom Line

Assembly drawings bridge the gap between design data and manufacturing reality. A clear, complete assembly drawing prevents errors, speeds production, and reduces costs. An incomplete or confusing one causes delays, rework, and frustration.

Invest time in documentation upfront. The return shows in smooth manufacturing, fewer questions from assemblers, and boards that work the first time. Your future self (debugging a production issue at 2 AM) will thank your past self for the clear documentation.