Why to use surface mount technology？

Surface mount technology (SMT) is a type of technology during the PCB manufacturing process. Recent years there are almost all the electronic equipments using surface mount technology to guarantee the performance and the quality of the finished products. When a person takes a look at a commercially-made electronic item in the modern world, the inside is often going to be composed of many tiny devices. Because the components on SMT boards are so small, it also lets people pack more electronics into a small space. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } And why we use surface mount technology during PCB manufacturing process? In this passage we will provide you the reasons about processing the surface mount technology. Come and check the content we prepare below. What is surface mount technology？ The 1970s and 80s were a time when automation started to take off for printed circuit boards used in all sorts of equipment. Traditional components using leads weren’t easy to use with PCB assembly. For capacitors and resistors, the leads had to be pre-formed to fit through holds and integrated circuits had to have leads set at a specific pitch to go through holes quickly and easily. This led to difficulty since many of the leads would miss the holes because the holes were quite tight. Because of that, an operator would need to step in and resolve the problems to make the components fit. This meant a loss of time and money since the machines automating the process had to be stopped. Printed circuit boards remove the need for leads to go through the board. Instead, components could be soldered right to the board. This led to the birth of SMT and the use of components for SMT has risen quickly because of its many advantages. Nowadays, surface mount technology is the primary option for assembling PCBs in electronics manufacturing. The products made can be small and used in many different ways. Why surface mount technology is popular? While the primary reason for moving to surface mount technology was related to cost, speed, and reliability, there are other benefits. This technology has had a huge impact on the way that people today design and develop new circuits and equipment. The good thing about this is that the change has largely created advantages rather than disadvantages. Some things to be aware of for developers using surface mount technology are listed below. · Circuits Are Smaller and Denser Than Ever – The electronics industry has always had the drive to offer more function in smaller packages, but that was never an easy task before surface mount technology became widespread. SMT is designed to make this simple since everything is in a miniature format. Components can be extremely small and mounted closer together on the circuit board than would ever be possible with typical components with leads. This, combined with the better functionality available through integrated circuits, makes life easier for a development engineer. · Lower Power Rating Requirements – One of the most important things to look for when designing and producing electronics is the power rating of the components. With surface mount technology, devices can have lower power ratings than ever before. As an example, a standard resistor with a lead can dissipate 0.25 watts or even more. However, surface mount resistors are smaller so the dissipation is also lower. People should be aware of this during a build but always make sure to check the manufacturer’s data for the exact numbers. · Less Inductance and Spurious Capacitance – Since surface mount technology components are smaller, that also means that spurious inductance and capacitance are also going to be smaller. An SMT resistor, to keep with the previous example, will be closer to an ideal resistor than a resistor with leads. In the same way, a surface mount technology capacitor is going to create less parasitic inductance. When taking this all together, standard SMT components will have higher frequencies and faster speeds than leaded components are capable of. How to use surface mount technology during PCB assembly? Nowadays, SMT is used in almost all facets of PCB manufacturing and assembly. More electronics can be placed in a smaller space using the technology. All of the components are smaller and many of them offer better performance than traditional components. They also can be easily used with automated machines to eliminate the need for worker intervention during the assembly process. With wired components, it was always a challenge to rely on automatic placement. All wires had to be pre-made to fit the correct hole spacing and, in some cases, there were still issues with placement. PCB assembly typically has all components placed automatically. Manual assistance might be occasionally needed but it is rare. High-quality circuit boards reduce the need for this to the point of even changing a design so components fit perfectly. One issue that used to be common with surface board technology components was their lack of resistance to heat. Since the components are soldered in, this raises the temperature of the part and could cause issues in some situations. However, new components have been developed that have no problem tolerating the temperatures associated with the soldering process. What are surface mount technology components? Surface mount components differ from leaded components since they are set into a board and soldered to it rather than wiring between two points. The leads don’t go through holes as might be expected of traditional components. There are three package styles used for SMT components: transistors and diodes, integrated circuits, and passive components. Many passive components consist of resistors and capacitors in standard sizes with typical package sizes. Transistors and diodes often come in a small plastic package, while there are many package options for integrated circuits. Any business creating a project using printed circuit boards should consider the ease and convenience of surface mount technology. At Advanced Circuits, we offer printed circuit boards that are high-quality and ready for this kind of technology. We also provide assembly and manufacturing services to save people time and money. Regardless of the size of a business or how large their circuit board order is, we’d love to help. Get in touch and find out more about what options we offer.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/05/2021 17:15

How to improve PCB design？

It is not easy to do the PCB design work for the designers. Since design is a very important preparation, it’s necessary to improve the design and make the process easier. In this passage, we will provide you several ways for you to improve your design effectively. If you are curious about the topic please check and read the content below for more information. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } Guidelines to improve your PCB design When starting a new printed circuit board design, it’s easy to leave the PCB design guidelines as an afterthought as you spend most of your time focusing on your circuit design and component selection. But at the end of the day, not providing ample time and focused effort on the PCB layout basics can lead to a design that translates poorly from the digital domain to physical reality, and could ultimately become troublesome for your manufacturer to fabricate. So what’s the key for designing a board that’s realistic on paper and in physical form? Let’s explore the top 5 PCB design guidelines that you need to know to design your next manufacturable, functional, and reliable PCB. 1. Please use the certain software One of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your PCB design is to use quality software for the creation. Of course, some might worry that software will be expensive or difficult to use. While this is certainly a potential problem with some pieces of software, it doesn’t have to be. Advanced Circuits offers PCB Artist, a robust piece of software that can provide you with the guidance and tools you need for your PCB design regardless of how simple or complex it might be. It offers more than is found with most other pieces of software on the market that provide similar features. One of the best features of the software is the price. It is entirely free, so you will not have to worry about paying anything when you are getting started. Whether you are a hobbyist or working for a company, you will appreciate this benefit. While the software will have a learning curve, like any piece of software, it tends to be easy to use. Those who have any experience with PCB design should not have a problem getting started with the intuitive software. When you use PCB Artist, you can create up to 28 layers on your PCB. It features Gerber format files, has design rule and check support, and a host of other helpful features. The software does not take up too much computing power either. You will only need to have a Pentium processor that’s at least 1.8Ghz. You will also need 512MB of RAM and 1.26 GB of storage space on your hard drive. These small requirements should be achievable by just about any computer today. However, it does need to be a Windows computer because MAC and Linux are not supported currently. The software can help to make the PCB design process faster and easier, but it’s important to realize that this is just a tool. You still need to understand the concepts of good design. 2. Please streamline the circuit design One of the most important aspects of PCB design is keeping things functional, often through the simplicity of design. You don’t need to jam as many components as possible onto a single board. Instead, you want to be sure that you are creating a circuit that can perform the functions that you need without being too crowded. Think about what you need the circuit to do and design for that. Streamline the board, use good, basic design principles, and build from there. Beware of trying to do too much on a single board. There is a chance for more to go wrong. There is also the worry that too many components could cause overheating if you don’t consider how it will be cooled. The software can make circuit design easier and have a good representation of what it will look like and how it will work. You can often see issues that would come into play even before you prototype. Additionally, you can send the design for an engineering review. Advanced Circuits offers a free engineering review. This will give you a better idea of whether your PCB design will work or not. 3. Please always use a prototype Of course, the next step should be to prototype the board. Even if you have checked it virtually and the engineering review looks good, get a prototype. This will help to ensure that it is working properly in the real world. You can see how it fares in the case you have designed. You can see if there are overheating issues, if it doesn’t always trigger properly, etc. The testing will give you a better look at the board and the areas where you might need to make some changes. In a perfect world, you will find that the prototype works without a problem. If that’s the case, you can move on with manufacturing. However, if there’s an issue, it is better to know now, so you can go back and fix it and then test again before unleashing your PCB design into the world. 4. Please use advanced circuits for manufacturing requirements Advanced Circuits is one of the largest PCB manufacturers in the country. We have decades of experience and can provide you with everything you need from start to finish. Not only do we have the free PCB Artist software you can use for the PCB design and free engineering reviews before you go into manufacturing, but we also have quality manufacturing facilities. We can be the “one-stop-shop” for all of your PCB needs. As the third-largest manufacturer of PCBs in the United States, we provide a fast turnaround time, so you can get your boards quickly once you place your order. You will be happy to know that there is no minimum order either. This will make it easier for you to get those prototypes you’ll want to use for testing. Advanced Circuits is not a broker. All of the work is done in-house at our facilities. This includes the manufacturing and assembly of your PCBs. We have a fantastic shipping record, we’ve been around for years (so you can be sure we aren’t going to disappear overnight), and we strive to make the entire process as easy as possible for you. Contact us to learn more and to get a quote. We are looking forward to helping you with all of your PCB design needs.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/05/2021 17:08

High voltage PCB design guidelines

In short, any PCB that runs at a much higher voltage than the normal rail voltage can call a medium or high voltage PCB. Boards like mains powered power supplies, Inverters, EV chargers, etc. fall into this category. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } There is no fixed number over which board would be considered high voltage. But as a rule of thumb, you could consider something like 100V, beyond which you would want to take special design rules into account. In this passage we will focus on the High voltage PCB design and provide everything about it. Please check and read the content below for more professional information. What is the basic information of high voltage PCB? Dielectric Strength The dielectric strength of a material is the maximum electric field the material can withstand without losing its insulating properties. Usually, this would be FR4 for most PCBs. So the first important thing to check is the dielectric strength of your PCB material. FR4 rated for 300 mils/mil; however, IPC standards will recommend a spacing of 3.9mils for 80V. It is often wise to leave room for it and therefore follow IPC standards. Creepage Distance Creepage distance is the shortest distance between two conductive parts along the surface of a solid insulating material. The main basis for the determination of creepage distance is the long-term voltage applied on the two conductors. Over time, there can be contamination on the board, so it is wise to have additional headroom. Creepage distance recommendations for most components and layouts are usually provided in their datasheets. It is one of the important parameters when it comes to High Voltage PCBs. Clearance Clearance is the shortest distance in air between two conductive parts. The dielectric strength of the air governs the clearance. Air usually breaks down at about 3KV per mm. However, under conditions of moisture and contamination, this value can go much lower. The IPC standards specify different clearance distances for design types. Most components are already compliant, and they are packaged in packages of high enough pin pitch. For example, a 600V rated Mosfet will usually come in a TO-220 or TO-247 package. More information about creepage and clearance can be found here: Solder Mask The solder mask also acts as an insulator to some extent. So for boards with fine pin pitch and high voltage between pins, it is important to go with a manufacturer who can apply a solder mask between PCB's the fine pitch PCB. How to do design practices for high voltage PCB? Routing Whenever routing traces for high voltage PCBs, the following points are most important: 1. Keeping clearance between traces that have a high voltage difference between them. 2. Avoiding any sharp turns and edges as these can act as areas of the concentrated electric field. 3. Avoid running very high voltage traces on the internal layers of the board. Polygon Planes For all high voltage PCBs, the polygon plane clearance should be increased to a safe value and certain sections of the board. For example, if there is a trace carrying 600V towards an edge connector on a board, then a lot of times, the design won't have a polygon pour near that trace. Also, internal planes on a multi-layer PCB should not have a very high voltage or a very small distance between them. Internal Layers It is possible to make multi-layers with the medium voltage on all layers. The major consideration is the proper filling of the spaces between the layers. The thickness of the separation between layers must be at least .005" to maintain the filling medium's integrity, prepreg. Any voids or pockets will degrade the dielectric value seriously. The standard prepreg FR4 type multi-layer is not suited to medium or high voltage work. The material breaks down too fast and does not feature a homogeneous internal structure. The excess microvoids degrade the dielectric rating resulting in its poor performance. EMI Considerations High voltage PCBs are notorious for emitting disturbances over a wide spectrum. The most important thing to minimize these is to have a small loop area and extensive via stitching to the ground plane wherever possible. Additionally, the high voltage components can also be potted and then shielded by a metallic sheet. How to select component for high voltage PCB design? High-Frequency Transformers Most high voltage boards will almost always involve a switch-mode circuit with a transformer to produce the high voltage. In these cases, you must comply with the core insulation level of the transformer. Regarding the PCB layout, the ground plane should ideally separate between the primary side and the secondary side. There should be a large isolation gap with cut-outs on the board between the primary and secondary sides. Mosfets/Transistors/Switches Most of the time, the high voltage devices will come in the correct package rated to withstand the high voltage between pitch. Even then, it is a good practice to pick the device with the largest pin pitch if you know the voltages would be quite high. A common example will be to pick a TO-247 device instead of a TO-220 if there are no space constraints. Similar examples can be applied for SMD devices as well. Passive Components When picking passive components, the component size is crucial as it is directly dependant on the voltage it can tolerate. So let's say the design has 300V between an SMD resistor. Then it would be much better to choose a package like 1206 rather than 0402. It is often a requirement to put multiple such components in series to reduce voltage stress across them

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/03/2021 17:37

4 Methods of PCB layout preparation

Without having effective PCBs layout prepared, there are chances that the end product will be a board that doesn’t function as desired. The truth is that having a plan or layout prepared plays an essential role in the board’s layout results. First, a PCB layout can assist in streamlining the design process through the determination of design constraints. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } The above is not all. With a layout in place, matters to do with sizing and the placement of vital elements such as maximum and minimum tolerances get determined way back before production. A lack of a layout may demand extra costs, time, and money needed to correct errors. A PCB layout preparation comes with many benefits to PCB manufacturers who intend to avoid unnecessary costs associated with having to correct previous errors. Coming up with some of the most functional, reliable, and cost-effective PCBs can be a very tasking exercise. However, having a PCB layout prepared beforehand, rest assured of having a product that will meet all your needs. A PCB layout avoids plenty of unpleasant experiences associated with such boards, especially when they are already in the market and used. 1. What are problems of lack of PCB layout preparation? Many issues are bound to emerge from the lack of accurate or efficient PCB layout preparation. A bigger problem that is probable to arise from a lack of PCB layout preparation is total board failure. Board failure comes in as the most significant issue that arises from poor planning or a lack of PCBs layout preparation reported by many individuals. Apart from board failure, another issue that can arise from lack of PCB layout preparation is that it may lead to manufacturer rework. Without adequate PCB layout preparation, your board will go back to the manufacturer or designer for rework, an aspect that causes delays. Much worse, most boards that go back to the “drawing board” fail to work as desired or intended. Shipping it back is an aspect that increases costs while extending lead times. A PCB board's limited functionality is another issue that arises from boards manufactured without factoring in PCB layout preparation. Producing or manufacturing printed circuit boards while ignoring the initial specifications will not function in the right manner. Here, functional or quality issues may surface, which can limit or inhibit the board's capabilities or functionality. 2. How to meet the requirements of PCB layout preparation? There’s a huge demand in the PCBs market, but not just any boards but quality boards made under the right procedures. PCBs are manufactured once a layout is prepared to attract a huge market. Therefore, designers and manufacturers are under pressure to manufacture boards that promise to bring about desired functionality regularly. Plenty of PCB manufacturers –OurPCB included- lately, employ effective tools such as DFM software and PCB design tools to create the best layout plans. Such tools are effective as they bring about the best solutions for creating the best PCB layout. These and many other tools find use in a lot of PCB manufacturing firms since they are cost-effective and functional to PCB designers and manufacturers. To meet the demands of producing functional PCBs that deliver as desired, many manufacturers are heavily concentrating on having layout prepared first. This includes defining the board's outline, placing the parts together, creating connections between the parts, and exporting them for fabrication. PCB layout preparation matters in producing high-functioning PCBs, a reason why plenty of PCB manufacturers lately consider this matter seriously. 3. What are the considerations of PCB layout preparation? PCB layout preparation is considered somewhat an art form by circuit manufacturers, and to say the least, there’s a lot of truth to that. We at OurPCB understand that coming up with a functional, reliable, yet cost-effective PCBs is not an easy task as such. The demand for light-weight, compact, and flexible boards is also making everything appear more challenging. The biggest consideration in PCB layout is shape and size, with the result supposed to accommodate the environment where the board will find applicability. Space considerations may require boards that consist of high-density or multi-layer interconnect designs. Some require boards of certain shapes or weight, making layout preparation challenging. Lately, there is a demand for flexible PCBs in nearly all places across the globe. Sadly, not all PCB manufacturers/designers can ensure that they achieve layout design for flexible PCBs with ease. Additionally, plenty of them fails when it comes to the type of material requirements that will fit the layout well. Such factors are a higher priority when deciding PCB layout preparation for production manufacturing. 4. What are the complex PCB layout preparation issues? Creating a circuit board withstand even some of the toughest conditions is not an easy process as one may like to imagine. While PCB layout preparation matters, such can be impeded by technical or rather complex PCB layout preparation issues. Some of the most common technical/complex factors in PCB layout preparation include: · Coming up with the best layout needed for spacing between traces · Trace widths · Tolerances for the electrical factors that may affect the functionality of the board · Clearance of traces in addition to other components to the edge of the board The availability of some layout components may be a tasking exercise with specialized or hard-to-find components likely to increase the final product's cost. If the production of a high number of boards is necessary, this can also be a major concern. PCB layout preparation largely depends on the construction methodology or the physical construction of the board. For instance, HDI and multi-layered designs have increased significantly in recent years which have plenty of specific layout requirements. Others include flexible PCBs that are completely altering the way manufacturers handle layout preparation before final product creation.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/03/2021 17:30

How to order PCB online？

There are many specific requirements if you are going to custom PCB products. And selecting a reliable and professional manufacturer is very important to guarantee that you could enjoy the quality and receive quality boards. In this passage, we are talking about how to order PCB online with common questions. Come and check the content we provide below. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } Should you send the file directly to the PCB manufacturer? There are several necessary files you should share directly to PCB suppliers for them to process a custom PCB order. Here is an outline of the essential data to include. · All copper layers · Share details about all paste, silkscreen, and solder mask layers. · A valid silhouette, with slots and cutouts, indicates if possible. · Submit at least one ASCII drill file in the Excellon format for every drilling process. The drill file ought to encompass tool codes as well as diameter information. · Provide at least one fabrication drawing or suchlike documents. How to cancel the order? It is essential to note that all PCB service providers cannot cancel the order once you make payments. Nevertheless, here are suggestions for steps to take. · You could delete any PCB order or contact the service company to adjust the Gerber files if you did not release the payment. · If you release the amount, but the law is yet to start producing, ensure that you contact the service provider. They can consider canceling the order. · In a case where the custom PCB orders are already at the production stage, you cannot cancel it. The solution is to contact the service provider to put the shipment on hold to save on shipping costs. Can you choose the mode of transportation? Most times, the supplier determines the method of transportation. The following factors help to determine the optimal transportation method. · The compensate period · The freight expense · Origin accessibility and address · Destination accessibility and address PCB methods of transport include courier, ground, ocean, and other conventional means. The delivery schedule can be yearly, monthly, weekly, or even daily. Also, some commodities involve hazards. Hence, PCB can ship as loose, palletized, crated, or bulk depending on the order's nature. The specific piece count, dimensions, weight, and type of packages also help determine the transportation method. Who is responsible for import and customs fees? Usually, the client encounters charges on customs duties and also taxes for a package they purchase on PCB for the following reasons. · Taxes and duties are typically not part of the box's price and might not be part of the overall shipping costs the client pays to PCB. · When one is shopping for PCB, they are buying products from overseas. For that reason, sometimes, the client has to pay customs duty. · The tax amount depends on the source of the custom PCB order, the type of product the customer purchases, the number of products, and the package's overall weight. Different nations demand individual tax policies considering certain products. It is prudent to confirm with the local authority. · The buyer is accountable for paying VAT on all the purchases they make on PCB. This step takes the buyer through the VAT clearance protocol of their local authority in their region of residence. PCB supplier extends order time When dealing with any process of manufacturing, the time factor is of great essence. A client may have issues regarding how long their custom printed circuit board order will take to arrive. Whether it is on time or not, the outcome majorly depends on the PCB manufacturer. However, there are several steps the client can apply to make sure the procedure moves quickly. Opting to work with a quick turn PCB services provider is a crucial step. The service provider should be able to help you develop highly-reliable custom products and supply tips necessary to make sure their PCB orders come on time. The custom circuit board supplier should offer the support clients require to file requests with fast delivery, both domestic and international. They should advocate costs drive to help tighten the lead times and rescheduling in delays or errors. Online ordering can be faster Online PCB services offer low-cost and quick PCB services in the business. The platforms offer ultra-competitive pricing on one to ten-days fast response PCB orders. Furthermore, they provide pricing choices for 15 and 20 days periods. With contact with manufacturing faculties in Asia and the USA, such online companies can offer quick response circuit board solutions for most industries, such as military, aerospace, consumer products, industrial applications, transportation, and medical. Most online PCB orders feature a complete engineering review before beginning circuit board manufacturing. Therefore, it eliminates delays and quality troubles.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/02/2021 17:37

5 Common PCB Design Mistakes

As a very essential step of the PCB manufacturing process, PCB design will influence the quality and performance of the finished boards. PCB designers need to avoid fabrication errors while designing printed circuit boards. Production costs often increase due to PCB design errors .As a result, PCB designers need to avoid fabrication errors while designing printed circuit boards. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } In this passage we will lead you to learn the common mistakes of PCB design. Please follow us and check for more information from the content below. 1. Incompetent layout techniques PCB designers must be able to develop excellent layout designs for the proper functionality of components that use printed circuit boards. Lately, there is a huge demand for PCBs with minimal footprints. Printed circuit board designers are therefore required to employ the use of smaller components that reduce footprint significantly. Generally, components that find use here are very close to each other. If you happen to select an incompetent layout technique, then the connection may go wrong and affect the functionality of where it will find useful. Sadly, most printed circuit board manufacturers find it hard coming up with the best layout. The greatest challenge faced is when handling the device with higher pin counts and a smaller pitch. If the layout is wrong or incompetent, rest assured that the board will fail to function as desired. To ensure the desired functionality, it is very important to select the best layout technique available in the market. If you are in the market for the best PCB designer, look no further after comparing several companies. They must understand nearly everything to do with the board layout and ready to assist you all the way. Whether they are simple or complex layout designs, they must have the right personnel with the best techniques to assist you. They must understand how poor PCB layout affects the productivity and credibility of a PCB designer. Choose a reliable company for the best PCB layouts. 2. Wrong/Incorrect designing tools If anything, having the right tools or equipment in place is a fundamental step needed for a successful printed circuit board design. With the right tools, rest assured of a board that functions well in the intended place. Choosing the wrong equipment will bring about problems such as increased costs of manufacture and delayed time in creating the board's design. If you look around, there are high chances that there are plenty of printed circuit boards in the market designed using incorrect designing tools. Again, a majority of printed circuit board manufacturers seem to struggle with this problem a lot. Many of them find it a bit challenging in their choice of tools to use. It is always recommended to use the right tools that suit all your design needs. Opting for substandard printed circuit board design tools will lead to a board that won’t meet its intended needs. However, all is not lost since there are several easy-to-use tools such as electronic design automation software packages. A professional company always ensures that they employ several design tools to come up with a board whose functionality is unquestionable. The designers employ many of these tools, depending on where the circuit board will find its use. Again, if you happen to be in the market for a manufacturer with a huge list of PCB design tools, look no further after comparing. It is very important to carry out a proper analysis and homework and choose the right equipment that suits all your needs. 3. Landing pattern errors Landing pattern errors are equally another huge challenge that most printed circuit board designers currently in the market find it challenging. Landing pattern errors are lately coming in as another challenge during the boards’ design face affecting many designers out there. Printed circuit board landing patterns are made up of a huge library of electric mechanisms known to use schematic symbols. Conclusion: there is little or no challenge to printed circuit board designers who follow the design through and thoroughly. However, if the libraries are not followed as desired, then drawing the schematic symbol by hand is another way. But important to note here is that it is very easy to make mistakes when drawing the landing pattern manually. Such mistakes may also end up increasing the chances of errors. A professional company will not find or constantly report issues to do with landing pattern errors that much with pride, though. They will employ several electronic components and software packages in our printed circuit boards to ensure functionality. It is very easy to make costly errors when drawing your landing pattern. For example, if you get the pin-pin spacing wrong even by a millimeter, it will be a bit hard or tasking to solder on the circuit board. 4. Decoupling incorrectly located capacitors Critical components of the board require a clean and very stable source of voltage. But for decoupling capacitors to function as desired, they must be close to the pin that requires the stable voltage. Sadly, most PCB designers struggle with this, leading to components that don't work in the right way. It is also critical to ensure the placing of the output capacitor meant for power supply as close as possible to the regulators' output pin. By doing so, the optimization of stability gets optimized in addition to an improvement in transient response. Still, rest assured that your board will fail in terms of functionality if you get it wrong. Printed circuit board designers have to ensure that they utilize the decoupling capacitors in the right way. Professional companies have industry-tested experts with the ability to decouple capacitors with a lot of ease. If the placement of capacitors is incorrect, they will not work properly and affect the device where it will be in use. 5. Failure to backup the work To achieve the perfect results during the design process, you can do so using some software and data. A good example is the electronic design automation software that assists many designers in coming up with complex printed circuit board designs. Based on the software's high speeds and flexibility, it is very easy to lose the data even before saving them. To ensure that such important data is not lost, it is essential to ensure that you save your data as often as possible. If necessary, printed circuit board designers need to ensure that they come up with save points. By creating such savepoints, even if a single storage point gets spoilt, the others will remain saved and secured. With a backup in place, there are no reasons to worry if one or two complex designs are lost. Professional companies understand the importance of backing up the printed circuit board designs regardless of whether they are simple or complex. The entire designs are safely backed up, and no chance of the data getting lost.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/02/2021 17:30

How to reduce ESD damage？

If you want to defeat the enemy, you should get to know it first. That is why we will talk about electrostatic discharge, as that is the best way to learn more about it. ESD happens if a static charge transfers from one object or surface to another, with the condition that the second object doesn’t have identical electrostatic characteristics. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } If you detect ESD, it will happen either because of contact between two surfaces or materials or because the electric field had a breakdown. That is important because electrostatic discharge is capable of endangering components’ performance and causing their failure. We will agree that it is not something that should when you are in the process of SMT assembly, which is why we will discuss how to stop ESD later. Check this passage for more information about how to prevent the ESD damage during the PCB assembly process. How to generate ESD damage? Take a look at three ways that can generate ESD: • Friction – it is the contact that happens between two objects or surfaces. After you create contact and separate them again, you might notice electrostatic appearing. The simplest example of this is your clothes. You’ve surely felt static electricity when you touched your clothes at least once in your life. The problem with electrostatic in SMT assembly is that it can compromise the device's performance and its components. • Conduction – if the parts of your device have pins and lead made of metal, they have the potential to conduct ESD. That means if they find themselves between a component and an object (body, surface). It will transfer electrostatic. • Induction – some surfaces and objects have huge energy that might touch the electronic parts of your device. That will cause your parts to produce electrostatic themselves. We presented three ways, but it all comes down to movement being what leads to static electricity and the potential damage. What are the features of ESD damage? Do you know the most dangerous feature of static electricity during SMT assembly, and what can lead to the biggest damage? It is that humans might not recognize ESD at all. The electrostatic discharge needs to be of a certain volume for humans to identify it. Unfortunately, even levels lower than the ones we can notice can endanger an electronic device's components. ESD of low power is more than enough to cause huge damage to the product you are assembling. That low power cannot harm people, and it is so low that they don’t even notice the damage to the components. As for other features, it is vital to note that the ESD starts and ends quickly. It doesn’t take more than a millisecond for the electrostatic discharge to damage the components. It is also important to note that humidity may contribute to ESD, which is why you should consider putting it under control. How to prevent ESD damage of PCB assembly? ESD is a sneaky thing, and it can cause damage under the radar, and without you even noticing it. So, what else can you do? The best idea is to focus all your efforts on preventing ESD damage. That won’t be easy because there are steps to take throughout the entire SMT assembly process. The key lies in identifying the most sensitive areas and keeping electrostatic from forming there. In other words, you go to the source of static electricity and prevent it. Keep in mind that you might not be able to stop all ESDs out there. However, as long as you keep things under control, there won’t be any noticeable damage. Start with equipping the entire area where you assemble the product with anti-static features. It doesn’t matter if it is a small private workshop or a big factory. The idea is the same – eliminate as much static as possible, and minimize pleasant conditions for creating static. Experienced manufacturers will place anti-static PVC floors and paints all over the area. It is also vital to place warnings that you can't enter unless dressed properly. Additionally, you want to ensure the floor has no scratches and clean any dust regularly. If you deal with sharp materials, be careful, and put them anywhere but on the floor. If you have the option, use materials for components and equipment that are static-free. That will not always be possible, which is why you should keep the objects with a high electrostatic potential away from the SMT assembly line. An excellent trick that you can use involves getting an item that has a high ESD potential. If you connect it to your components, you will ensure that it handles all the discharge hits instead of the device itself. Finally, keep in mind keeping humidity under control as that is another electrostatic source that you can’t neglect. How to prevent ESD damage during storage? If you manage to push through the entire SMT assembly without compromising ESD damage components, we congratulate you. However, you still have to ensure that ESD won’t harm the components during storage and transport. That is where ESD bags can play a huge role as they were specially designed to keep the components inside safe from electrostatic discharge damage. It may seem like a lot to handle all these factors yourself, which is why you should consider hiring a professional to assemble your components. OurPCB is a company that has been in the industry of designing printed circuit boards for years. The manufacturer has state-of-the-art equipment, as well as knowledgeable and experienced staff. That ensures that they can handle the entire PCB process flawlessly and ensure your board's maximum reliability and performance. If you have any printed circuit board requirements, please contact the company to ask for advice and place your order.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/02/2021 17:22

High speed PCB design guidelines

Whenever you have signals on a PCB that have high-speed edge rates, they then become dependent on minute factors in the PCB layout. These signals can lose integrity and are affected by physical parameters such as board stack-up, impedance, loop area, general design, and package type. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } So a PCB design process that is optimized to retain signal integrity for these fast-changing signals is referred to as a high-speed PCB design. A high-speed design uses high-grade PCB materials with tight fiber interwinding and close tolerances and controlled impedance. High-speed designs would also try to use small component packages such as BGA, LGA, MSOP, etc., instead of larger packets. Come and check the content we provide below for more tips about high speed PCB design. What are the challenges of high speed PCB design? The following section will highlight the main design challenges when it comes to designing high-speed PCBs Tolerances Since even minimal PCB characteristics can affect signal behavior, your manufacturer needs to have tight tolerances. These are tolerances typically for things like controlled impedance traces, board Stackup, and capacitance, and also the overall length and width of marks. Availability of high-speed material Beyond certain speeds, you may start to require the use of unique PCB material if the signals get too fast. Standard FR4 based fiberglass is not the best when it comes to designing high-speed boards. A few of the PCB materials used for high-speed designs are enhanced FR-4, Polyamide, PTFE. Selecting the correct Layer Stackup Another critical factor, especially in multi-layer boards, is selecting the right Layer Stackup, were to have a thick prepreg layer, where to have your power and ground planes, and also the separation between the sheets. All these factors, when chosen correctly, will improve signal integrity. Board to Board Interconnections When a design has multiple high-speed boards that need to be connected, it is essential to use a interconnect that can properly transmit high-speed signals, typically these will be shielded and length matched cables. The connectors would have their pins oriented in a way to minimize and signal losses. What are the skills of high speed PCB design? Knowing a design software that is capable of advanced options High-speed designs require many sophisticated features in your CAD software. Many programs intended for hobbyists may not have these. Web-based suites also don't usually have advanced options. So one needs to learn and be skilled at a power CAD tool. High-Speed Routing A designer needs to know the rules for necessary routine when it comes to high-speed traces. It would include things such as not cutting ground planes and keeping trails short. Keeping digital lines not too close to avoid crosstalk, and shielding any interference producing elements so that signal integrity is not compromised. Routing traces with controlled impedance Certain types of signals require impedance matching. These are usually in the order of 40-120 ohms. Characteristic impedance matched hints are Antennae and many differential pairs. The designer must be familiar with how to calculate trace width and layer stack for required impedance values. If a trace does not have the correct impedance value, the signal can be severely degraded, resulting in data corruption. Length matching traces High-speed memory busses and interface buses have many lines. These lines operate at very high frequency, and so the signals must arrive from the sending end to the receiving end at the same time. It requires a feature called length matching. Most common standards define tolerance values that must match length. Minimizing loop area High-speed PCB designers must know that high-frequency signals cause a lot of EMI, EMC issues. To minimize these issues, they must follow basic rules like having continuous ground planes and reducing loop areas by optimizing current return paths for traces and putting in lots of stitching vias. What are the considerations of high speed PCB design? The following are the most important design considerations when designing high-speed PCBs Signal reflections When signal is high-speed, the trace acts as a transmission line with characteristic impedance. To minimize and reflections along the trail, it is required to match the line impedance with the signal source impedance. Signal ringing Signal ringing is when you have some unwanted shifting in the voltage or current on the transmission line, which causes extra current to flow and causes delays in the arrival of your signal at its final destination. It can be an issue with messages such as a high-speed clock line. So these signals should be shielded from any interference. Crosstalk issues When two traces with high-speed signals are close together, then they can induce voltages into each other. So it is essential not to place such marks too close to prevent interference with each other. Signal timing If two traces carry high-speed signals and their lengths are different, then the messages arrive at their destination and slightly different times; this can be a big issue if the message is supposed to be synchronized to a standard clock line. In these cases, one needs to length match signals.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/01/2021 17:35

How to order PCB assembly？

Printed circuit board assembly, also known as PCBA, can be a complicated concept to understand, mainly because it is not the same as printed circuit board manufacturing, also known as PCB. These are two different disciplines with a different set of standards and requirements. If you are looking for a PCB manufacturer for PCB assembly, what are the tips to do PCB assembly successfully before ordering? If you are worry about your PCB assembly, please follow us for the professional suggestions and information we prepare for you. Hope to help you order PCB assembly successfully.If you want to order PCB product, please check and custom your order online. What are the tips of ordering PCB assembly? Now let's have a look at some PCB assembly tips. These tips will ensure you get the desired results. The key lies in being careful and preparing in advance. 1. Pay special attention to file formats Choose a manufacturer who is experienced in dealing with the format that you plan to use. It is crucial because not all manufacturers may cater to all file formats. Gerber and CAD are the two most popular options you have. Today's boards are very complex. There are several layers of components, vias, and traces that need to fit together to provide the required level of precision. PCB file formats may not be the most exciting part of PCB design, but they are essential. Gerber is the most common and standard format. Hence a large number of assemblers offer it. On the other hand, CAD files are generated by CAD and other such software. They follow the OBD++ standard, but you may also find some following the less popular IPC-2581 bar. Discuss these requirements with the assembler so that there are no problems later on.2. Get in touch with your PCB assembly provider It doesn't matter what kind of a working relationship you have with your PCB assembler; it is still essential to have a conversation before you go ahead with the process. We suggest that you communicate with your assembler at the design stage. It can give you valuable suggestions on design. A lot of people make the mistake of getting in touch with their assemblers in the end. It can be a big mistake. Speaking in advance with your assembler would help you know more about the industry and available techniques and processes. They can tell you about the latest PCB assembly trends and help you make the right decision. Plus, working with your assembler in advance would help you build a stable connection that will help you a lot when you finally move to the assembly phase.3. Pay attention to offshore providers Many people opt for overseas assembly as it's more affordable. However, there are a lot of risks involved with offshoring. Assemblers are known to use parts that are not of the right standard. That helps reduce costs but can cause you a lot of damage in the long-run. You may end up spending more money, making offshoring a lousy option. Other than this, there may be issues, including production delays that may cause interruptions. Even a small delay can impact your timeline of events. Hence, it is essential to be careful when selecting to work with offshore assembly providers.4. Don’t count on a single supplier Do not make the mistake of counting on a single supplier. Always have a backup plan. Moreover, it would help if you were careful when designing the board. Try to make sure not to include parts that are not readily available.5. Consider naming and labeling parts Most of us are taught to mark and label design documents, but few of us draw and label the components. It is essential to label, number, and match up all parts that you include with your package. They should be very clearly mentioned so that there is no scope for error.6. Don’t neglect the design for manufacturability test Design for manufacturing, also known as DFM, is an engineering test or process that describes engineering or designing a product to facilitate the manufacturing process. It helps reduce associated costs and makes the deal more feasible. DFM can also help identify and solve potential problems to ensure the process goes smoothly. It is used in almost all engineering fields, and PCB assembly is no different. A DFM check ensures the final product is up to the mark. Some of the problems can identify spacing issues, first pin indication, footprint corroboration, and component polarity. You may have to hire experienced engineers to run a DFM review to ensure it gives correct results. You might not be able to review on your own if you do not have the required tools, experience, and skills. Moreover, some PCB assembly providers also offer DFM reviews. Get in touch with your provider to inquire if they provide such services or not. It will ensure you do not have to worry about testing or finding someone to conduct the required tests.7. Recheck all trade-offs Technology is changing at a rapid pace. That is great for the business as we can get more out of doing very little now. However, there is always going to be a trade-off. After all, we want to push more and more features into boards that are getting smaller by each passing day. Hence, you must know what you want from the board to get the required capabilities. · Do you want more power? · Do you yearn for more robust transmission? Consider the primary purpose of the board. It will help you determine the essential capabilities. Do not let the trade-off scare you. You may have to scale back a little, but you will not have to drop everything. It is best to talk to your manufacturer and ask them for tips on improving the design to meet your requirements. A well designed and assembled board will offer more power and more robust transmission with other features. That is why it is necessary to be clear about your requirements before you start the manufacturing and assembly process so that the result meets your expectations.8. Testing Before You Order You might be able to get a discount if you give a bulk order, but it may not be a good idea unless you are sure about the quality of the final product. It is best to try an assembler before moving ahead with a big order. It will ensure you have no difficulty in the end. Also, it's best to be in touch with multiple assemblers so that you can turn to the other one if the first deal falls flat. Some experts even suggest hiring multiple assemblers and comparing the final product to make a decision. It will give you a clear idea about how reliable a provider is. It is not only about the end product. It is about the overall experience. Timing, for example, can make a lot of difference.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/01/2021 17:20

How to remove copper from PCB board？

In all the PCB products, they use the different components to connect each other. And among all of them, copper plays a very important role as the most common basic conductive material. In this passage, we will focus on everything about copper PCB, please follow the content below and check for more professional information about it. PCB Instant Quote .my-button { display: inline-block; padding: 10px 50px; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; background-color: blue; color: #fffff0; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0px 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease; } .my-button:hover { background-color: #C23C30; transform: scale(1.05); } Why copper is used on PCB? So the central question that comes to any customer's mind when purchasing copper circuit boards is why only copper is suitable. When compared to other substances, copper offers a few advantages. Conductivity For starters, copper offers better thermal and electric conductivity than most other metals, so heat transfers through the circuit evenly. Even heat transfer is essential in this case because otherwise, uneven heating can put excessive stress on the PCB, which damages its components. Copper has impressive electric conductivity, which means it transmits signals with minimal electrical energy loss. Efficient Because of its conductive properties, printed circuit board manufacturers don't need countless tones of copper. Each copper circuit board will only require minimal amounts for proper functioning. From this angle, one ounce of copper makes for a copper layer thickness of 35 micrometers, which is enough to cover a whole square footing of a PCB substrate. Availability Most importantly, copper is readily available, which makes it comparatively less expensive than other metals. Improves Electronics' Reliability Copper has an unmatched thermal resistance. This factor can increase the reliability of electronic devices that have to operate in harsh environments, such as those with high temperatures. Reduces Assembly Costs Thanks to copper's even heat transfer capabilities, PCB manufacturers can install heat sinks onto the surface or build boards with one side entirely covered by a layer of copper, which also acts as a heat sink. Regardless of the method selected by copper circuit board manufacturers, they cut the assembly process short, which significantly reduces manufacturing expenses. How to remove copper from PCB? One of the most exciting conversations surrounding copper circuit boards is how manufacturers, developers, and engineers can retrieve copper from old PC boards. The thin layer of copper adhering to a PCB is in the form of traces or wiring that sends an electrical current to all the soldered components and other circuits. After removing the soldered-on electronic components, it's possible to recycle copper traces. These have to be stripped and sent to a specific recycling center. Start by using your hobby knife to cut each copper trace that begins on one end. Use pliers to grasp one of the cut ends. It may be complicated to get under a copper trace, so it's easier to start the process by prying up the evidence using the tip of your knife. Once you grasp it, pull the copper trace away from the copper PCB board, so it comes off cleanly. This step is just for one copper trace – developers have to repeat this countless times on different trails. How to reserve copper PCB? Copper PCBs are prone to corrosion and oxidation, both of which can impact the efficiency of the board. Here's how to protect your PCBs from corrosion and oxidation. Request a Finish First and foremost, you should request your PCB manufacturer for a protective layer that covers the copper. The solder mask, in this case, helps in preventing parts of the circuit where you didn't solder from oxidation. However, you can't use a solder mask in all circuit boards since it affects performance at high frequencies. Keep the PCBs Away From Humidity Upon receiving your PCBs from the manufacturer, you'll notice that they're vacuum-sealed. It is the optimal condition to keep them in since it protects them from humidity and moisture. Once you remove them from the packaging, you should invest in a humidity-free container to hold them back. Apply a Conformal Coating After soldering the PCB, it recommends that you protect the board with conformal coating before integrating it in the desired electronic device. These lacquers or varnishes preserve the circuit from oxidation and corrosion. Keep Your PCBs from Coming into Contact with Corrosive Metals Depending on the enclosure you integrate the PCB in, it can still destroy or oxidize. For instance, plastic pens are entirely closed off, effectively preventing corrosion. On the other hand, you may select a metal-based ring for harsh environments. Metallic enclosures often include aluminum, which is a highly corrosive metal. Keeping copper PCBs in such proximity to aluminum can lead to oxidation, so treat the ring accordingly. Rely on Hermetic Sealed Packaging You can rely on hermetically sealed packages to prevent environmental conditions from affecting the PCB. However, closing the PCB in the container has to be completed in a controlled environment. It can keep any moisture from being trapped inside the packaging and destroying the PCB.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 07/01/2021 17:16