Verify your Circuit Board Design Files Include an Aperture List Unless you are using Gerber274X format files, an aperture list is required for the manufacturer to create the artwork needed for your circuit board design. Gerber274D format does not automatically include Aperture List information. All circuit board design software that can output in Gerber274D format will […]
Miniaturization & High-Density Interconnect (HDI) As PCBs are a foundational, critical component in electronic assemblies and across the spectrum of market segments miniaturization and computing power of products is ever increasing, PCBs and PCB assemblies also must relentlessly purse miniaturization. For PCBs, this means high density interconnect technology. As manufacturing techniques continue to evolve and improve, HDI […]
Fabrication Methods Become familiar with practical knowledge about PCB fabrication and production. This leads to more complex PCB designs than are necessary. For instance, a common problem is orthogonal trace bends on tight grids. Not every PCB fabricator has the ability to produce that type of design with acceptable results. You may be able to […]
If you are involved in electronics, or just familiar with typical consumer products, it’s likely you are familiar with the purpose of printed circuit boards (PCBs). You probably know how commonplace and necessary they are in today’s technologically dependent world. But even though printed circuit boards are found in almost every device we use on […]
How does one choose the right manufacturer for a Printed Circuit Board? Choosing the right PCB manufacturer can make your product or program a success, but the wrong one can lead to a lot of grief. To guide your decision, some pointers to consider are: Quality is a key issue when selecting the right PCB manufacturer. It’s […]
PCB Library Data – How is it being created or acquired? Component symbols, component pad patterns, and 3D models remain the building blocks for every printed circuit board design. With today’s design tools, engineers and designers no longer have to rely on design tools to create these essential parts from scratch, nor do they have to manually […]
Have you considered ESD issues generated by your electronic assembly labels? It might be good to remember that separation of any two materials in contact is likely to generate an electrostatic charge. Removing labels from their release liner or even removing a label from a finger creates voltage differences, which charge a label, operator and […]
Keep Your Board Size to a Minimum Always try to keep your completed board size to a minimum. The bigger a board, the higher your material cost. However, this also works the other way around. If you make your board excessively small, a manufacturer will need very precise equipment to produce it. So it’s a […]
Potting vs Conformal Coating of PCB Assemblies Conformal coatings are a protective, non-conductive dielectric layer that are added to a circuit board or electronic device. A coating “conforms” to the object being coated (often referred to as the “substrate”), allowing protection without significant additions to the weight or thickness of the device. Potting is also […]
Following the double whammy of the US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of global manufacturing companies are looking to shift parts of their supply chains, including PCB and electronic PCBAs, from China to India, according to multiple recent reports. Many companies have suffered significant disruptions to their supply chains as authorities across the […]
