The Importance of Adding Serial Numbers to PCBs

As electronic products continue to increase in complexity and diversity, tracking each PCB through production, inspection, and repair stages has become increasingly important. In this context, adding a serial number to the PCB has become an effective management tool. PCBWay offers a service to add serial numbers to your PCB, where you can choose between accepting or not accepting non-consecutive serial numbers.

Why Add Serial Numbers to PCBs?

Quality Traceability

The primary function of the quality traceability serial number is to achieve product traceability. With a unique serial number on each PCB, manufacturers can accurately trace key information such as production processes, material batches, operators, and inspection records. When issues arise with a product, the serial number allows for quick identification of the root cause, enabling prompt resolution and minimizing losses.

Production Management

Serial numbers help optimize the management of production processes. By recording the serial number of each PCB, manufacturers can better control production batches, detect anomalies during production, and make timely adjustments in subsequent stages. This is especially critical in large-scale production, as it contributes to improved efficiency.

After-Sales Service

The presence of serial numbers makes after-sales service more efficient. When customers report product issues, the technical support team can use the PCB serial number to find the corresponding production information and provide accurate solutions. Additionally, serial numbers can be used to verify warranty periods and product authenticity.

Inventory Management

In warehouse management, serial numbers help distinguish between different batches of PCBs, preventing confusion. During storage, transportation, and inventory management, serial numbers can be used for efficient tracking, ensuring that each board is properly managed.

Production Methods for Serial Numbers on PCBs

In actual production, PCBWay commonly uses the following methods to add serial numbers to PCBs:

  1. For serial numbers that accept non-consecutive numbering and are in solid font, a text printer can be used for direct one-time printing.

  2. For serial numbers that do not accept non-consecutive numbering and are in solid font, 80% can be printed using a text printer, while 20% must be manually printed (limited to single-piece orders).

  3. For other situations, the only option is to use manual screen printing for all, which is not recommended due to high production costs and low efficiency.

Styles of Serial Number Coding on PCBs

PCBWay strictly adheres to the customer's required serial number coding format. However, there are generally the following styles for serial numbers on PCBs:

   1. Simple Numeric Sequence

Uses pure numerical format, such as “00001,” “00002,” etc. This coding method is straightforward, but as the quantity increases, the serial number may become longer.

   2. Alphanumeric Combination

Adds a letter prefix before the numbers to distinguish different types of PCBs. For example, “PCB00123” or “AB1001.” This method is typically used to indicate batches, versions, or product categories.

   3. Date Coding

Encodes the production date into the serial number, such as “20231001-001,” indicating the first board produced on October 1, 2023. This coding can help track production time.

   4. Batch Number Coding

Includes a batch number in the serial number, such as “L23-B01456,” where L23 represents the batch and B01456 represents the specific PCB serial number. This method is suitable for mass production and facilitates quality management and traceability.

   5. QR Code/Barcode Coding

Generates a unique QR code or barcode for serialization, combining numbers and letters for convenient automated identification and management. QR codes can embed more information, such as the manufacturer, production date, and batch.

   6. Mixed Coding

A mixed code that contains information such as production date, batch number, and production line. For example, “23A-09-00123-P1,” where 23A represents the production batch, 09 indicates the production month, 00123 is the serial number, and P1 may represent the production line number.

   7. ECO (Engineering Change Order) Version Number Coding

If the PCB has undergone multiple design changes, the serial number may include the ECO version number, similar to “00123-ECO3,” indicating that this is the version corresponding to the third engineering change.