JLCPCB Blog

Quality & Reliability Testing

PCB Cleanliness in Professional Manufacturing : Preventing Contamination and Ensuring Long-Term Reliability

In the construction of PCBs, the boards are contaminated with all sorts of dirt at almost every stage. In the soldering process, the flux (either rosin-based or more recent organic forms) may cause residues or ionic salts to remain on the pads and traces and be sticky. Next there is etching, plating and micro-etching; the chemical processes will put metal ions on the copper unless the rinsing is complete. Tiny particles of metal shavings, fiberglass dust, and laminate fragments are also thrown out in ......

Feb 03, 2026

Assembly Techniques

Why 63 37 Solder is Favored for Prototyping

When it comes to soldering the electronics, the most popular alloy name that comes to mind is 63/37. It is nothing but a combination of 63% tin and 37% lead in 63 37 leaded solder. Yes! To date, we use lead, but why is it used in soldering? We will see in this article. Although there are a lot of developments happening in the solder material, mixed solder is still used everywhere. We will see how the eutectic composition of this alloy provides it with a precise melting point of 183°C, resulting in pre......

Oct 17, 2025

Design Tools & Best Practices

PCB Art : Jaw-Dropping Designs & How to Make Your Own

Usually, PCBs are designed to replicate complex circuits on a small board consisting of traces. All this is done to connect different components. However, when it comes to the aesthetics and functionality of a printed circuit board, various applications also exist, such as coloured PCBs and PCB cards. The rise of PCB art isn’t a fluke. And by the introduction of JLCPCB, this art became easier to fabricate. A community that loves to flex creativity and RGB. Engineers who want their work to be both func......

Dec 31, 2025

PCB Materials Science

Metal Core PCB Materials: Thermal Truth & Design Rules

Metal-core PCBs (MCPCBs) are speciality boards where a metal substrate replaces the standard FR-4. This metal core acts as a built-in heatsink, improving heat dissipation in high-power electronics. The basic stackup is simple: A copper conductor layer on top. A thin dielectric insulator in the middle. A thick metal base at the bottom. This structure provides excellent thermal spreading and a convenient ground plane. But it comes at the cost of a much heavier and more expensive board than typical FR-4.......

Dec 29, 2025

High-Speed & RF Design

Comprehensive Layer Stack-Up Design for High-Speed Controlled Impedance PCBs

In the world of ever-evolving electronics, high-speed controlled impedance PCBs are becoming increasingly important for reliable performance designs. With modern devices requiring faster data transfer rates and minimal signal distortion, engineers must consider various factors while designing a PCB with controlled impedance. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of controlled impedance PCB design, focusing on layer stack-up considerations, real-world examples, and the use of an imped......

Jul 28, 2023

Fabrication Processes

Laser Engraving vs. Professional PCB Fabrication : Understanding DIY Limitations and Industrial Advantages

In the conventional approach, we first apply a mask pattern and then remove metals using chemicals. In hobby electronics, using a laser engraver to make circuit boards is an exciting idea. The basic concept is to generate a laser to pattern a copper-clad board. Typically, a bare PCB is first coated with a dark resist layer that protects the copper. Then a laser cutter follows your circuit design to burn away the resist where copper traces should remain. After laser etching, the exposed copper is chemi......

Jan 20, 2026