What is Beveling
Beveling is the process of shaping or cutting the edges of a PCB at an angle or slant. This technique involves reducing the square-shaped edges of the PCB to create sloping sides. Beveling is typically performed after the soldering mask and before the surface finishing of the PCB.
Beveling facilitates the insertion process of edge connectors. By creating sloping edges, beveling allows for easier entry of the board into the connector. This is particularly important for connectors like PCI, where the smooth insertion of the PCB is crucial.
During the beveling process, an angle of 30-45 degrees is commonly used. This angle is necessary for PCBs that have longer or larger gold fingers, as beveling enables them to fit together seamlessly as a complete component. Beveling also helps ensure that the gold fingers of the PCB fit properly in an edge connector, preventing any potential failure or malfunction.