What are the uses of PCB?

PCBs are boards that connect electronic components. They’re an integral part of the electronics we use in our everyday lives across a wide range of industries. They are made of a non-conductive material and have lines, pads and other features etched from copper sheets that electrically connect the electronic components within a product. Components such as capacitors and resistors are also soldered onto some PCBs. 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); } Today, the use of PCBs in electronics is widespread and there are various types of PCB product. They can be single-sided, double-sided or multilayer PCB. They can be rigid, flexible or contain both rigid and flexible parts. In this passage, we will focus on the uses of PCB and please follow us for the content below. PCB for medical devices The medical field relies heavily on technology to deliver the best service to its patients. Devices in the medical field are responsible for reporting, monitoring, treatment, and diagnostics, so these devices must be accurate and durable. Properly working printed circuit boards are essential in any industry, but especially in the healthcare industry — a defective board can significantly affect patient health. Monitoring devices are used to track things like glucose levels, blood pressure, and heart rates, so they must be dependable. When monitors don’t work correctly to record and warn doctors when a patient’s heart rate declines, they can be the difference between life and death. Medical devices need to be lightweight, durable, and transportable, as they are commonly taken from room to room and pushed up and down hallways daily. Medical devices are also becoming smaller, which means the PCBs must also be tiny. To achieve these printed circuit board features, it’s important to partner with an experienced PCB manufacturer. Typical uses of printed circuit boards in the medical field are: Monitors: Chemical balance readers, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Medical instruments: Used to conduct research and gather data. Examples are compression machines, microscopes, and control systems. Scanners: for X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc. PCB for consumer electronics When most people hear “electronics,” they often think of consumer devices first. As a consumer, you probably touch or interact with at least five electronic devices a day (and that’s on the lower end) — cell phone, laptop, mouse, TV remote control, Alexa or Google, and maybe a smart watch. The consumer electronics market is expected to grow to $989B by 2027 and is one of the biggest PCB markets. Here are some common consumer electronics that use printed circuit boards: Communications: cell phones, smartwatches, radios, computers, internet routers, Alexa or Google Home Entertainment systems: televisions, stereos, DVD players, instruments (like electric guitar or piano), cameras, and games consoles Home appliances: microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, modern coffee makers, and alarm systems PCB for aerospace operations Aerospace devices and equipment must endure extreme temperatures, harsh environments (like gravitational pull and weather), and high vibrations. Devices designed for aerospace must be light without sacrificing durability. Aircraft that depend on PCBs to function include modern planes, satellites, shuttles, and communication systems. Aerospace devices that incorporate PCBs into their functionality: Power suppliers: aircraft power supply, control towers, and satellites Monitoring equipment: used to monitor the function of the aircraft; this includes aircraft health monitoring systems (AHMS) like accelerometers, pressure sensors, and weather tracking systems Communication devices: devices that help communicate with ground control; speakers, radios, etc. PCB for automotive uses Similar to the aerospace industry, printed circuit boards in automobiles need to be flexible, durable, lightweight, and able to withstand high vibrations. Most vehicles today have plenty of bells, whistles, and connection capabilities — all thanks to PCBs. Printed circuit boards are what make your GPS, Bluetooth connection, safety, and monitoring systems work. Devices that use printed circuit boards in automotive electronics are: Navigation systems with GPS capabilities Radio, media players, and Bluetooth syncing Power supplies, fuel gauges, and engine readers Proximity sensors for blind spots PCB for industrial purposes Printed circuit boards are used in a variety of ways for industrial purposes. They are found in machinery, computers, vehicles, sensors, and more. PCBs help with automation processes, cutting costs and time for business owners. PCBs also support assembly and testing procedures to eliminate the chance of human error. Printed circuit boards are even used in the equipment that produces printed circuit boards — talk about a Twilight Zone moment. Industrial equipment typically works around the clock, so the components supporting it must be durable to stand up against high vibrations, extreme temperatures, intense forces, and harsh weather conditions. The printed circuit boards in these applications are made with thicker, more durable copper or thermal-resistant materials to meet the durability needs for industrial purposes. Common industrial uses with PCBs: Industrial equipment and power supplies: assembly machines, motor controllers, presses, power distribution, etc. Measuring pressure and temperature control, industrial load testers.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/31/2021 17:29

How to calculate PCB cost？

To avoid exceptionally high costs that might stem from unique PCB product design requests, calculate the potential price of your design in before production. Determine the custom specifications of the design and the steps required to bring it to fruition. Make sure these details are understood by the PCB maker to avoid costly trial and error. 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 the methods of calculating PCB cost, please read the content below to get into the topic we prepare. What Factors Affect PCB Cost? To calculate the cost of PCB, it is necessary to know the manufacturing process and estimate the factors that affect PCB cost. 1. Material Choice The materials used in a circuit board will invariably affect its cost. The factors that can impact material selection include: Thermal Reliability: Will the board be capable of performing under the range of temperatures expected for the tasks in question? Certain boards require materials of a higher thermal rating than standard boards. Temperature Reliability: Can the material withstand an expected range of atmospheric conditions within a controlled setting without overheating? PCBs intended for high-temperature working operations require materials that pass these tests. Heat Transfer: Will the board withstand high-intensity loads without transferring undue levels of heat to attached and adjacent components? The right material will need to pass this test for the uses in question. Signal Performance: Will the material facilitate uninterrupted electrical signals throughout each operating cycle of a given machine? Will the signal withstand a necessary range of temperatures and other environmental factors? These concerns are integral to the performance of a PCB. Mechanical Properties: Does the material have sufficient physical composition to withstand a plausible range of physical stresses? Can the board be pressed into a tight slot without cracking? 2. PCB Size The size of a PCB and its panel utilization are two of the most crucial factors that affect the price. The size of a board will generally be determined by the number of circuits required for the corresponding device. A PCB in something as small as a digital watch will require fewer components and ultimately be less costly to produce than a computer or laptop PCB. Likewise, the PCB in a large piece of industrial machinery will be larger than the boards contained in most home electronics. The amount of space consumed by components on a board will also affect the price. Granted, some boards are designed with less consideration of efficiency and production costs. 3. Number of Layers Another determining factor of board price is the number of layers involved. For obvious reasons, PCBs with three or more layers cost more to produce than boards that consist of merely two layers. The pricing issue is affected by the types of material used and the size of the board itself. Some of the most significant increases in PCB manufacturing cost occur once a second layer is added to a board. From there, an additional two boards will raise the cost by at least one-third of the previous price. The price increases are generally less steep once a design crosses the eight-layer threshold. With each layer added to a PCB, more production steps are involved in the lamination process. This requires more time to achieve and necessitates a larger supply of material. The steps involved in multi-layer board construction also increase the possibility of production defects. Depending on the material used in a board design, you might need more layers to ensure a solid composition. If a PCB is expected to endure a high amount of stress and still have a certain degree of flexibility, these factors will largely determine the layer count, as well as the material. 4. Finish (ENIG, HASL, etc.) A minor factor to consider regarding PCB production involves the costs associated with a given finish. Some finishes boast higher grades and offer longer shelf life, thus adding to the overall cost of production. Each of the surface treatment options offers unique features: HASL: Solderability LFHASL: Solderability OSP: Solderability IMM Ag: Solderability, Al wire bondable IMM Sn: Solderability ENIG: Solderability, Al wire bondable, contact surface ENEPIG: Solderability, Al wire bondable, contact surface Elec Au: Solderability, Al/Au wire bondable, contact surface The number of layers may also determine whether the finish impacts the price of PCB production to a significant degree. 5. Size of Hole One of the important, if not crucial, factors that can influence the cost of a PCB production is the size of the holes in a board. The costs associated with holes can also be determined by the number of holes required for the board, as well as the type of material and thickness of layers being drilled. The sizes of the holes in a board design are the most crucial price determinants in this area. If the holes are super-thin, they will require special tools to produce. For example, a hole that has the diameter of a hair strand will be more challenging to create than a hole that equals the diameter of a typical screw hole. Such holes require more work and a specialized skill set to accomplish. Additional hole-related factors that can impact the price of a PCB production are the thickness of the material and the number of layers contained in the board design. If a board consists of 10 or more layers, hole-drilling will be a more time-consuming task due to the thickness. If the material is super-strong and hard to drill, this will also impact the price. 6. Minimum Trace and Space For a current to transfer on a PCB without the threat of overheating and damage to the board, there must be sufficient trace width in the board design. On boards of all sizes, a simple correlation exists between the trace width and carrying capacity. A section of the former will determine the latter. Moreover, trace cross-sections correlate to the thickness of copper. It must be noted that trace carrying capacity does not necessarily correspond to the cross-section space. In fact, the amount of current that a trace can hold, at maximum, cannot be easily calculated, regardless of the trace width or temperature rise. The carrying capacity of a current can also be impacted by pads, vias and other board elements. To avoid these situations, board makers will enlarge the trace width, if possible. Alternately, they can add extra solder mask to the traces that might otherwise be prone to burn. These steps can add to the price of a PCB production. 7. The Thickness of the PCB and Aspect Ratio Until recently, the thickness of a PCB had played only a minor role in the overall cost, though all that is liable to change in the coming years. Thinner material will generally put a line of PCBs into a slightly lower cost bracket because less material is required for the production at hand. The costs of a board in regards to thickness can also be impacted by the type of material used in a given production. The price of a thicker board could be significantly higher if it also has a larger aspect ratio. Therefore, it might not be the thickness of the board that impacts the cost as much as the measurements or the number of layers that add to the thickness. 8. Custom or Unique Specifications PCB manufacturing costs can also be impacted by the unique design elements in a given production. If you come to a PCB maker with custom specifications, this could raise the cost of its production, even if the board itself is small and consists of only one or two layers. The real determining factor in this regard will be whether the features in question require special tools or skills to achieve. Examples of custom specifications could include: Contoured Edges: PCBs with rounded edges could cost more to produce, especially those that require z-axes routing. Side-Plating: Some PCB designs specify metal edges for boosted EMC strength. Solder Mask Clearance: If extra clearance and thickness are needed of the solder mask, this will increase costs.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/28/2021 17:47

Why copper is used in PCB?

PCB is made up of several layers, including the substrate, traces, solder mask, and silkscreen. The traces are a crucial element, because they carry the electrical signals to different components across the board. Without the traces, the PCB wouldn’t function. No PCB board means almost every single electrical item that transfers data wouldn’t work! 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 reason for copper’s high level of conductivity is that it has only one valence electron, also known as a free electron. Such electrons can travel freely from one atom to another with very little resistance. Electrons are the fundamental particles that hold electrical charges, so free electrons are responsible for transferring electrical signals. Copper transfers these signals without losing electricity. The most common element used to make traces is copper. Why is copper such a popular choice in the PCB industry? The number one benefit of copper is that it is highly conductive. This means that it can easily transmit signals without losing electricity along the way. PCBs rely on electricity in order to perform their myriad functions. While dozens of substances can carry electric charges, copper is particularly conductive, so it has become the standard choice. Reasons of Using Copper of PCB There are two similar terms used in PCB design; copper balancing and copper thieving. Although they are often used interchangeably, there are some important distinctions between the two: Copper balancing This is the process of adding non-conductive patterns of copper to a circuit board in order to alleviate the possible bending of the board during manufacturing. PCB layer stackups that are not configured symmetrically, or individual layers with dense copper on one side versus the other, can all cause the board to warp during fabrication. Uneven copper in the board structure can also twist during the assembly process due to the excessive amount of heat used for soldering. To counter this, the PCB CAD design system will add area fills, or pours, to sparse areas of the board to copper balance the design. Copper thieving This is also the addition of non-conductive patterns of copper to the circuit board, but in this case, it is to even out or “thieve” some of the electrical current used for plating the board. On areas of the board where there are isolated or “lonely” traces, the current applied to the board for plating can become more concentrated on those features. This scenario may result in an under-etching of the trace giving it a “mushroom” profile instead of the clean squared edges that were expected. You can see an example of this in the image below, where the cross-section of the trace on the left depicts serious undercutting, while the trace on the right is more squared off as desired. The mushroom shape created by the under-etching can affect both the electrical performance of the trace as well as its structural strength. By reducing the metal in the trace, the characteristic impedance of the circuit could change and thereby introducing signal integrity problems into the board. At the same time, the reduction of metal will make the trace weaker than it should be, and the mushroom shape can potentially trap acid, leading to eventual alteration and/or destruction of the trace over time. These problems can be averted however by adding copper thieving in the areas of the circuit board where the metal is sparse. With the same amount of copper distributed throughout the board, the plating current will be applied equally and the traces will all etch the same amount. How is Copper Used in PCBs? Copper has several uses in PCBs, from the copper-clad laminate to the traces. Copper is vital for PCBs to work appropriately. What is PCB Trace? A PCB trace is what it sounds like, a path for the circuit to follow. The trace includes the network of copper, wiring, and insulation, as well as the fuses and the components that are used on the board. The easiest way to understand a trace is to think of it as a road or bridge. To accommodate vehicles, the trace needs to be wide enough to hold at least two of them. It needs to be thick enough not to collapse under pressure. They also need to be made of materials that will withstand the weight of the vehicles that travel on it. But, traces do all of this to a much smaller degree to move electricity rather than automobiles. Components of PCB Trace There are several components that make up the PCB trace. They have various jobs that need to be done for the board to do its job adequately. Copper has to be used to help the traces do their jobs, and without the PCB, we would not have any electrical devices. Imagine a world without smartphones, laptops, coffee makers, and automobiles. That is what we would have if PCBs did not use copper. PCB Trace Thickness The PCB design depends on the thickness of the board. The thickness will affect the balance and will keep the components connected. PCB Trace Width The width of the trace is also important. This does not affect the balance or the attachment of the components, but it does keep the current transferring without overheating or damaging the board. PCB Trace Current The PCB trace current is necessary because this is what the board uses to move electricity through the components and wires. Copper helps this happen, and the free electron on each atom gets the current moving smoothly over the board.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/27/2021 18:02

What causes PCB failure?

PCB works for all the electronic equipments in our daily life and it will be extremely disruptive if one fails. Heading off failure is even more important in PCB design. It can be expensive to replace a board that breaks in the field. 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); } PCBs fail for a litany of reasons, sometimes even before they’ve been shipped for use. By understanding the causes of PCB failure, it’s easier to prevent future failures and enjoy more productive PCB testing. In this passage, we will get into the details about PCB board failure and please check the content and learn more knowledge about this topic. What Are the Reasons of PCB Failure? Preparing for failure is part of the job as an engineer. Sometimes it’s inevitable and anomalies happen, although fortunately, each instance of PCB failure can be a learning experience. It’s all part of the process. But embracing PCB product failure doesn’t mean you can’t minimize those occurrences where possible. Manufacturing Defects Unfortunately, this is a common reason for PCB failure and, unlike a burnt PCB—which can be seen—the issue can be harder to find and diagnose. You might have received an order with manufacturing defects, in which case, you may feel it’s not your fault. Unfortunately, customers won’t see it that way. That’s why you should make sure you’re working with a trustworthy and vetted PCB manufacturer. Ensure the CM (contract manufacturer) isn’t using cheap parts, either. To retain integrity, see to it that all products coming out of your facility are top-quality and meet your standards throughout the process. Buyers will be judging the end result, not the effort. Common Defects Contamination If the wrong substance gets into the product, problems can arise during use. It’s imperative that the items are manufactured in a clean space so nothing gets into a device that doesn’t belong. Soldering issues and loose components These types of defects affect the stability and security of the product. Products whose parts were not secured into place properly could fall apart in users’ hands, which won’t fare well for your reputation. Material Degradation While we’re talking about durability—you have to make sure your materials can hold up. Every material wears down in time, and every device eventually reaches the end of its life cycle. But materials need to start off strong so that won’t happen for a long time. Misaligned Layers When parts don’t fit together well, it can easily lead to PCB failure and product malfunctions—if they even function at all. To make sure products are safe, sturdy, and functional, all layers have to be fully aligned, even at the smallest level. Attention to detail is crucial in this field. Environmental Factors As mentioned in the previous section, any piece of foreign debris can affect the functionality of a PCB, as they are highly sensitive. To combat this, PCBs need to be handled with the utmost care in all stages of your process, from manufacturing through packing and shipping. Temperature While PCBs can stand up to some heat, every piece of technology has its limits—you shouldn’t leave a PCB in very cold temperatures, either. Any extreme can be damaging. Your work area should be kept at a moderate temperature so you don’t subject your materials to added stress. Moisture Many people already know this one, but it’s important to bring up since it can be so easy for an accident to happen. Being ever-aware is key to warding off the possibility of a PCB failure. Ventilation can help prevent humidity in the air and banning beverages around machinery can help, too. No device should be left around liquids unless it’s specifically built to be water-resistant. Dust and Fibers These substances could block parts from communicating or working with other parts. Keep them out. They may be small, but they can cause quite a bit of damage if you aren’t cautious enough. Shock Shock absorption is not exactly a common feature in PCBs. A device that experiences too many impacts can result in often unsalvageable PCB failure. Human Error While this one is a less common reason for failure, since manufacturing teams are often trained, it does happen. No one is perfect, and these are complex boards with tiny components. Robots have taken over some tasks, but so many things are still handled by humans that they have to be factored into the equation. It’s important to reiterate that working with an expert PCB manufacturer can alleviate some of these issues and help with quality assurance. As humans, we inevitably mess things up. Poor soldering, incorrect component installation, misreading schematics, problematic tracing, and a whole slew of other mishaps could happen if all workers are not on top of their game. Bouncing Back From Failure Failure is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be a waste. By keeping these tips in mind, you can keep failures from wreaking havoc on your day-to-day operations and ease any issues that come up. You’ll get back on your feet quicker and move forward with new knowledge. We’re all built on failure. PCB manufacturing is no different. Failures have the potential to make you and your business stronger. The best approach is to spot issues before they arise. Be proactive, and stay calm when you need to be reactive. By preparing properly, continuing to learn, and teaming up with an accredited PCB manufacturer, you’ll be on your way to success.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/27/2021 17:56

How to repair broken PCB traces？

Printed circuit boards are easily damaged. All it takes to crack a trace is a little rough handling during installation or removal. It doesn't even have to be deliberate roughness, some of the plug-in boards just don't want to enter or exit their sockets without the use of a little force. Apply a little bit too much heat for a little too long during the installing or removal of components and the copper trace will lift free of the board's substrate. Finding a microscopic crack in the trace is the most part of making the repair. 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 talk about the methods of how to repair the broken PCB traces and if you are curious about it, please check the content we provide below. Why We Have to Repair PCB? Why bother at all with learning component-level PCB board repairs for PCBs? Don’t we live in a throwaway culture in which it’s OK to toss electronics in the landfill at the first sign of trouble? This is the first reason why it makes so much sense to learn everything that you can about repairing PCBs. People who have a passion for electronics, and for upcycling or getting the maximum lifespan out of something, can find a lot of satisfaction in the process of locating damaged tracks or identifying failed board components, replacing them, and restoring a PCB product. On the hobbyist as well as the professional side of things, an understanding of how PCBs function and how to restore them is essential if you want to learn how to build and maintain your own projects and systems, such as the following: Garage door openers Home theater systems Speed controllers for powered tools Televisions Computers Electrical engineers have even more motivation for pursuing a masterful knowledge of this fundamental skill. Both the consumer and commercial landscape rely on ever more sophisticated electronic devices, most of which require PCBs. Knowing how to diagnose problems with these boards and repair or replace failed components means that a technician can perform troubleshooting on a wide range of computerized assets and internet of things (IoT) devices. How to Repair PCB Step by Step? Step 1: Remove the damaged pad or component. First, secure the PCB to your work surface so that it doesn’t move around while you’re working on it. It’s best to use tape. Sometimes, diagnosing a damaged and inoperable PCB requires the application of an oscilloscope to probe the signal strengths and waveforms at various points to test for continuity of the circuit across the board. Other times, it’s just a matter of looking for a burned area that indicates that a failed component or a pad or trace needs to be replaced and rejoined to the existing track on the PCB. If you find that one of the components on your PCB isn’t functioning the way that it should, there’s a simple process for removing and replacing it: Grab the hot air gun and turn it on. Hold it no fewer than 6 inches from the failed component. After a few seconds, take a pair of tweezers and attempt to lift the component away. If it doesn’t come, continue to apply heat for a few more seconds and then try again. If a PCB pad has been damaged by heat, it’s best to use a sharp knife to carefully remove it. Your priority is to limit the amount of damage that you do to the track and the other nearby features while still freeing the board from any residue. Step 2: Clean the track and remove solder. Once you’ve removed the damaged pad, continue using your sharp knife to remove the existing solder. If you’re not comfortable using a knife for this relatively delicate part of the operation, a sharp-pointed screwdriver or sandpaper with a very fine grit will work, too. No matter which tool you prefer, the result should be a fully exposed track, free of existing solder, which looks shiny and clean. Step 3: Place your copper tape over the track. After you’ve removed the damaged track and cleaned off the area, it’s time to place your adhesive copper tape over the top of the area that you’re working with. Your tape should overlap with the existing track and cover the existing through-hole and a portion of the area surrounding it. Step 4: Solder the joints. From here, it’s a matter of carefully soldering the joints where the new copper tape joins with the existing track on your restored PCB. Here are a few tips and warnings about this part of the process: Copper tape melts quickly at soldering temperatures, so don’t begin until you’re certain that you can finish this part of the process in one go. Use as little heat as possible and work deliberately, but quickly, to reduce the amount of heat applied. Step 5: Restore the PCB through-hole. Find a hard implement with a rounded-off end, like a pen or another simple tool. Press down on the area that you’ve just soldered and rub firmly to ensure that the copper tape is securely affixed to the entire pad area. The adhesive should still be tacky after you’ve applied heat to the area. With this technique, you’ll be able to identify where the through-hole is, which you can then pierce with a paper clip or another similar implement. Step 6: Place and solder your component. If you’ve followed these steps so far, you should have a PCB that’s been restored to functionality and is ready to receive your component of choice. From here, soldering the components should be a familiar process. However, you’ll want to keep your application of heat as brief as possible. The new joint that you’ve formed between the freshly affixed copper tape/pad and the track may be somewhat fragile. Step 7: Trim excess tape from the repaired area. Using your scissors or craft knife, carefully cut the adhesive copper tape down to size to finish the repair. It’s important to note that the joint that you’ve just repaired may restore your PCB to functionality, but the pad, track, and joint will never be as structurally sound as the original board. Nevertheless, you’ve taken something that many others would discard as junk and given it a new lease on life.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/24/2021 18:26

How to reduce PCB cost?

Through the whole manufacturing process of PCB, there are several steps to guarantee the performance and quality of PCB finished products. And it is also very important to reduce the cost as much as possible we can during the process. 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); } Controlling the cost of your online PCBs requires rigorous initial board design, strict forwarding of your specifications to suppliers in the relationship you have with them. And to help get deep in this topic, we provide the content below and please read it for more detailed information. What Are the Methods to Reduce the PCB Cost? Reducing the cost of printed circuit boards is really about keeping things simple and effective, designed to achieve your goals and your needs in as direct a way as possible. PCBs are usually seen as a complex dance of getting everything to fit in the smallest space or trying to space everything out as much as possible to make them easy to read. There is indeed a happy medium somewhere. You can reduce the cost of PCBs by looking for this middle ground. In this piece, we’ll present seven of those in-between spaces for reducing the cost of printed circuit boards. Reduce Complexity One of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of PCBs is to create a simple board and review your design to optimize it. Look for many different design options to make sure your board is as simple as possible. Not only do you want to optimize the elements of your board but you’ll also want it on a small form factor that still provides appropriate clearance for every element. Size It Right That clearance isn’t just about its relationship to other parts, but also for the assembly process. If your board is complex and tiny, it will take the manufacturer more time and effort for their assembly line to put your board together. Getting very small and tight is going to get expensive. Save space when possible, but don’t narrow down so much that it takes multiple runs to put each board together. If you’re struggling with that spacing, remember that using common shapes is a way to reduce the costs of PCBs. If it is possible, make your board a square or a rectangle. Complex shapes raise costs, especially if they’re very irregular. Keep It Consistent Reducing the cost of printed circuit boards gets a little easier if you have large orders or are getting multiple boards together. If you keep the overall board shape the same or have consistency in your overall design, you’ll be able to shave some costs off your whole order. Avoid Slots if Possible Reducing the cost of printed circuit boards also comes with what you skip. Avoid internal cutouts unless you absolutely must have them to mount the PCB. Many people will charge you more when they have to cut a slot or do other cutouts in your boards. Some designers like the look and try to create something unique but uniform, which can be engaging for engineers but likely won’t make a significant difference in your functionality or brand recognition. Holes and Rings Should Be Sized Right Annular rings and holes should be designed to fit your board and be as large as you need. Bigger hole diameters are better simply because they don’t require extremely precise machinery. Smaller holes and rings need more careful controls and options, which means more expensive equipment and PCB production costs. Manufacturers set different size ranges, but often you’ll see increases when holes get below 0.4mm. Talk to your manufacturer to understand their requirements and pricing schedule. For your through-hole pads and vias, keep the minimum annular ring in mind. This is the minimum distance between the pad’s border and hole’s border. The distance needs to be uniform, even if the hole is an oblong shape. Again, different manufacturers have different requirements and pricing schedules based on your annular rings. Pick the Best Vias Vias come in three flavors: buried, blind and through-hole. Through-hole vias go all the way through the board, while blind vias goes from either top or bottom to a layer somewhere in the middle without touching the top or bottom. Through-hole vias are the most affordable and should be used whenever possible. Blind and buried will increase your costs. They’re only necessary on high-density and high-frequency complex boards, so you should typically not need them. Don’t Skimp When It Counts We’re mainly discussing ways you can save when having your PCBs created, but sometimes you’ll want to spend your money because it can save you in the long run. Using inferior materials or substitutes for your core elements will cut cost on the initial production, but it’ll raise your costs later when you have to replace boards more often or have unhappy customers. The best way to reduce PCB costs just might be to spend money on quality PCB production and avoid losses, costs and unnecessary production runs.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/21/2021 17:30

How to do PCB testing?

PCB testing is essential in ensuring quality products during the design and manufacturing processes. It avoids situations where designers and manufacturers realize that the product is faulty at the last minute, while the boards are in full production, or already in the market. 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); } Even after following proper design and manufacturing processes, there is always a risk of defects, bugs, human errors at the prototype stages. Identifying and addressing these issues before the final product is critical in ensuring the performance, functionality, and reliability of the products. Why PCB testing is important? Testing is a crucial part of the development cycle for PCBs. When PCB testing is conducted throughout the production cycle, it can help save money and prevent issues when it comes to the final production run. Some design analysis techniques can be used during the early stages to help minimize major issues during the manufacturing process, but there’s also a wide range of PCB product testing methods that can be used on physical boards. These tests, run on prototypes or small-scale assemblies, look most closely at potential shorts, solder joint issues and functionality, ensuring that each tested PCB will function as intended. What are benefits of PCB testing? Bug identification: The primary benefit of PCB testing is that it helps identify problems in PCBs. Whether the issue lies in functionality, manufacturability or elsewhere, PCB tests identify issues in a PCB design so that designers can adjust accordingly. Time savings: PCB testing in the early stages can help save time in the long run, allowing designers to identify major issues during the prototyping stage. Thorough testing enables designers to determine the root cause of each problem posed quickly and easily, making adjustments so that they can move on with production at a faster rate and reduce product lead-time. Cost reduction: PCB testing prevents wasteful production of faulty products by using prototypes and small-scale assemblies to test the products. By completing thorough testing early in the design process, designers can prevent wasteful full-scale assemblies of faulty PCBs, ensuring that the design is as flawless as possible before it goes into production. This step helps to significantly reduce production costs. Fewer returned products: When companies conduct PCB testing, they lower the chances of selling defective products or those that don’t meet performance standards. As a result, they don’t see as many returned products, leading to reduced costs associated with refunding customers and handling defective goods. Additionally, having fewer returned products can result in higher customer satisfaction and an improved company reputation. Increased safety: Since PCBs are often used in essential electronic technologies, their failure can cause major issues for a company’s productivity or an organization’s ability to perform essential services. A defective PCB could cause a fire, potentially putting those near it in danger. Testing prior to manufacturing can also ensure machines and workers aren’t damaged or injured due to an improper design during production. While thorough testing isn’t necessary for all types of PCBs, especially matured products well into their product life cycle, the majority of new PCB designs need robust and frequent testing of the design process. By establishing an appropriate PCB testing procedure for your organization’s needs, you can experience the benefits of PCB testing. How to do PCB testing? Start with a Visual Inspection When a circuit board suddenly stops working, there are sometimes obvious signs of what went wrong. You’ll need to rely on your vision to spot faulty components or broken traces. Often, circuit boards deployed in the field are damaged by electrical surges and there are telltale signs on the PCB. Look for a burnt spot, particularly on the power supply module or I/O and connectivity ports. Pay attention to cracked ICs, broken traces, and blown capacitors. Sometimes, you could trace the damaged components by their acrid scent. Check the Power Module Measure the voltage of the power rails with the multimeter. Both the input and output of the voltage regulator need to show the expected values. Check the fuse if the input voltage measured at the voltage regulator is 0V. If the fuse is replaced and immediately breaks after power-up, it means other components are shorted and draining a huge amount of current. A voltage of 0V, or below Vcc, at the output often means that the regulator or a component along the voltage rail has a short circuit. If that’s the case, the damaged component will heat up quickly. Bring your hand close to the components to feel if one is giving off excessive heat. Be careful to not directly touch the component when it’s powered on, as it can be extremely hot. Remove the overheated components and confirm that the voltage has returned to the expected value. If voltage observed is still different than the expected voltage, there could be more components that are damaged down the voltage line. Refer to the schematic and remove the next component that is near the edge of the PCB. If there aren’t signs of overheated components then look for broken traces. A broken trace could result in the voltage being detected at some points of the trace but not in others. Use your multimeter to narrow down where the discontinuity is. Check the Input/Output Ports If the I/O is protected by fuses, Zener diodes, or varistors, ensure that they are functioning well. The logic IC or the microcontroller is likely damaged. The only way to find out is to replace the parts with good ones. Check Communication Ports Circuit boards with communication ports like Ethernet and RS485 have an increased risk of failure. When communication failure is detected, check for burns or cracked communication ICs or protective components like Zeners.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/19/2021 18:10

How to measure PCB temperature?

As an important element of PCB, temperature influences safety, reliability and performance in PCBs. High temperatures can quickly lead to malfunctions and permanent damage. So it is really important to detect temperature of PCB. Several circumstances can introduce heat into the workings of a PCB. A component mounted to the PCB might produce excessive heat. An external element — for example, another component in a complex system like an aerospace system or medical application — might generate excessive heat. Heat might build up in the PCB because of inadequate ventilation. Or during PCB assembly, the heat produced during drilling and soldering might cause undue thermal stress on the components and lead to defective boards. Whatever the reason, engineers need ways to manage heat to ensure that PCBs can survive the high thermal stresses they will inevitably encounter. What are some effective PCB heat dissipation techniques and ways to prevent PCB temperature rise? In this passage we will focus on the topic and please follow our content 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); } Why Is monitoring PCB temperature important? Monitoring PCB temperature is critical because high temperatures can alter the structure of the PCB and diminish its performance or cause it to break down. PCB temperature measurement is also critical because the problems that result from high temperatures do not remain localized. They can quickly spread to other components of the PCB and cause a cascade of malfunctions and damage. Excessive heat in a PCB board can cause the following types of damage: Loss of structural integrity: Excessive heat can damage the integrity of a PCB. The layers of a PCB are highly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, and when they get too hot or cold, they expand and contract. Excessive heat can lead to warping in the lengths, widths and thicknesses of different PCB layers. Disruption of circuit lines: Excessive heat can result in circuit damage as well. Circuit lines expand and change shape when they overheat. Once this happens, the circuits become susceptible to frequency shifts, distortions and straight losses. Their conductor impedance can also shift from its standard value of 50 ohms. Millimeter-wave circuits and microwave circuits, in particular, have tiny, delicate components that can easily sustain damage if they expand and deform at high temperatures. Incompatible rates of material expansion: The detrimental effects noted above are compounded by the fact that different materials expand at different rates. A PCB has two basic types of layers: dielectric layers and conductive metal layers. Because they contain different materials, they expand differently in response to heat. So an overheating PCB may experience further damage as the different types of layers pull apart. Oxidation: Oxidation of PCB components is also a concern at high temperatures. Exposed dialectic material in PCBs does not have protection against oxidation if it does not have a protective laminate coating. In that case, the material may rust after exposure to high heat. Loss of transmission lines and a higher dissipation factor often result. How to measure PCB temperature? Before you measure PCB temperature, it’s essential to determine the primary heat source in the PCB — typically the microcontroller or microprocessor — as well as to locate the temperature sensors. Once you have these pieces of information, temperature monitoring can begin. PCB temperature measurement typically involves three different steps: Place a ground plane between the temperature sensors and the heat source. Connect the GND pins of each temperature sensor to the heat source’s ground plane. Make sure the temperature sensors and the heat source remain close to each other on the PCB. Following these steps will allow you to measure the temperatures of the primary heat source — and thus of the PCB as a whole — with accuracy and precision. How much heat can a PCB stand? How much heat a PCB can stand depends on the materials it is composed of. Materials with optimal thermal properties provide reliable resistance against the effects of high heat, whereas some materials stand up less reliably to high temperatures. The metric known as glass transition temperature (TG) helps indicate this resistance. For instance, FR-4 has a TG of about 135 degrees Celcius.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/18/2021 17:29

How to recycle PCB?

Recently, we understand much more about the impact industrial waste has on the environment — and responsible companies are taking steps to reduce such waste and engage in more environmentally-conscious production practices. Thankfully there are many responsible companies out there trying to do their part by setting PCB recycling standards and raising the bar for environmental protection. If your business uses printed circuit boards, you might enjoy knowing that you can recycle some of the components of the board, but not the entire thing. PCB board recycling applies primarily to the copper, and it’s a valuable component if you understand how the recycling process works. In this passage we will focus on the PCB recycling topic and let’s check the content below to get more knowledge 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 we need to recycle PCB? A printed circuit board is made of many different materials, the most valuable of which is copper. When you dispose of a printed circuit board, that copper can bleed into the environment through media like wastewater and solid waste. In addition to being damaging to the environment, this is extremely wasteful, as the copper in a printed circuit board can actually be quite valuable. What can we recycle from PCB? Some of the valuable materials that can be recovered from printed circuit board waste include: Copper from the edge trim Copper oxide from treatment sludge Copper from the etching solution Copper hydroxide from the plated through holes process Copper from the rack stripping process Copper from the solder stripping process Tin from the hot air leveling process How to recycle copper and tin from PCB? Here are some of the key ways copper can be reclaimed: Recycling copper from edge Trim: To recycle the copper from the edge trim of your printed circuit board, treat it with a stripping solution. This can dissolve precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, which you can also reuse. Then, use mechanical methods to separate the copper by shredding and grinding the trim and then using a cyclone separator to pull the copper from the plastic resin. Recovering copper from wastewater sludge: To get at this copper, simply heat the sludge to 600 to 750 degrees Celsius to create copper oxide, and then use the smelter to turn it into copper metal. Recycling copper from the spent basic etching solution: Adjust the solution to a weak acidic condition to produce copper hydroxide, then follow the process of removing copper from wastewater sludge. You can recover leftover copper in the filtrate with selective ion exchange resins. Recovering copper hydroxide from the copper sulfate solution from the plated through holes process: Put the solution into your reactor and agitate while lowering the temperature to 10 to 20 degrees Celsius with a chiller. Use a centrifuge to recover the copper sulfate crystal and adjust the pH of the effluent to recover the remaining copper hydroxide. Recovering copper from the rack stripping process: To recover copper from the spent nitric acid, use electrowinning with an electric winning reactor to recover the copper ions as metal copper. Recycling Copper From the Spent Tin/Lead Stripping Solution From the Solder Stripping Process: Following the etching process, remove the protective solder plate to expose the copper connections. Strip the tin and lead from the solder plate by immersing the printed circuit board in nitric acid or a hydrogen fluoride stripping solution. Use electrowinning to recover the copper and lead, as well as tin oxides, which are precipitated out and can be filter-pressed. Recovering tin from the hot air leveling process: The hot air leveling process creates tin/lead solder dross that is suitable for recycling. Separate the tin by heating the dross in a reverberatory furnace at about 1400 to 1600 degrees Celsius, deslagging to remove iron, then putting it in a melting furnace with sulfur to remove the copper. Although these processes may seem time-consuming, once you set up a system for recycling printed circuit board material, you can go through them quite easily and recover some valuable metals to reuse or sell to help your bottom line, all while protecting the environment.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/18/2021 17:23

How to add solder mask to PCB?

As a very important step of PCB manufacturing, solder mask is a protective coating to protect the copper on the circuit board with a protective layer of liquid photo imageable lacquer. This mask goes on both sides of the circuit board to protect the copper from problems that could lead to failure, such as oxidation, shorts from outside conductive influences, soldering, high voltage spikes or environmental factors and so forth. 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); } What is solder mask of PCB? Solder mask or solder stop mask or solder resist is a thin lacquer-like layer of polymer that is usually applied to the copper traces of a printed circuit board (PCB) for protection against oxidation and to prevent solder bridges from forming between closely spaced solder pads. A solder bridge is an unintended electrical connection between two conductors by means of a small blob of solder. PCBs use solder masks to prevent this from happening. Solder mask is not always used for hand soldered assemblies, but is essential for mass-produced boards that are soldered automatically using reflow or solder bath techniques. Once applied, openings must be made in the solder mask wherever components are soldered, which is accomplished using photolithography. Solder mask is traditionally green but is now available in many colors. How to add sold mask to PCB? Solder mask is made up of a polymer-layer that coating over the metal traces on a board. There are a number of different types of mask material, the best option for your PCB according to your application and cost. Printing a liquid epoxy over the board with a silkscreen is the most fundamental solder mask option, which is like airbrushing face paint on with a stencil. Solder mask comes in different media depending upon the demands of the application. The lowest-cost solder mask is epoxy liquid that is silkscreened through the pattern onto the PCB. Other types are the liquid photoimageable solder mask (LPSM) inks and dry film photoimageable solder mask (DFSM). LPSM can be silkscreened or sprayed on the PCB, exposed to the pattern and developed to provide openings in the pattern for parts to be soldered to the copper pads. DFSM is vacuum laminated on the PCB then exposed and developed. All three processes go through a thermal cure of some type after the pattern is defined. In electronic design automation, the solder mask is treated as a layer of the printed circuit board, and is described as a Gerber file like any other layer, such as the copper and silkscreen layers. There is much more to choose from since the original green finish. PCB solder masks are now available in a range of different colors and glossy or matte finishes. Selecting different colors will help you distinguish between your printed circuit boards. You can also match your colors to your tastes and palette. If you are looking for a wider selection of color choices, you may want to go with a glossy finish because it gives you more options. Green Black Red Yellow White Purple Blue If you prefer a matte finish, you have fewer options. Currently, only green and black colors are available with the matte finish. While there is no predominant reason why green is the most common color for solder masks, its popularity could be because it creates the smallest solder dam (space) of all the colors you can choose from. Green is also shown to be most visible to the human eye in daylight, making green PCBs easier to work on, use, and find. What the solder mask should be used? An appropriate solder mask depends upon the physical dimensions of the board, components, holes, and conductors, the surface layout, as well as the final application for your product. You will need a photoimageable solder resist for most modern PCB designs. The surface topography will depend on whether to use a liquid or dry application. And a dry application is that lay down a uniform thickness across the entire surface. But it will be the best for dry mask adheres of your PCB surface is very flat. And if there are complex surface features, you’d better select with a liquid (LPISM) so that there will be a better contact with the copper of your traces and the laminate. What is the importance of solder mask of PCB? 1. It prevents oxidation of the copper traces. 2. Special PCB inter-connectors are used at particular places on the PCB to connect one layer of a PCB to another. Any other kind of connection is unwanted. Since, the layers are very close to one another; even the smallest bump of solder could cause unneeded connections between the layers. At this point, a layer of polymer, which is the solder mask, helps greatly in making sure that the solder doesn’t provide unnecessary connections. 3. It prevents unexpected connections between components even where tolerances are tight. 4. Solder mask keeps dust and dirt away from the electric connections and the substrate. 5. It prevents the electric connections from corroding. Solder mask is used for both hand as well as automatic assembly. It is an essential step in the entire process of PCB fabrication. For efficient connections and performance, solder mask is of immense importance.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 05/17/2021 18:04