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Blind vs Buried Vias: A Comprehensive Guide for PCB Design

A printed circuit board (PCB) is made up of layers of copper foil circuits stacked on top of each other, and the connections between different circuit layers rely on vias. If the holes drilled by a drilling machine or laser are left as is, they will not conduct electricity, because the surface of the original drilled hole is only resin, which is not conductive. Therefore, a layer of conductive material (usually copper) must be plated on the surface of the drilled hole. In this way, current propagates ......

Sept 29, 2024

PCB Design All posts >

Understanding Signal Reflection and Impedance Control in PCB Design: Key Techniques and Tools

Whenever a signal is sent digitally from one point to another, it changes the state of a signal line. The change in state of the signal can be described as an electromagnetic wave as it moves through the circuit. Reflection in the signal occurs when an electromagnetic wave encounters a boundary from one medium to the next. When the wave meets the boundary, part of the energy is transmitted as a signal and part of it is reflected. The process will continue indefinitely until the energy is absorbed by t......

PCB Impedance Control: Ensuring Signal Integrity in High-Frequency Circuits

Impedance measures the opposition of an electric circuit when alternating current is applied to it. It is the combination of the capacitance and the induction of an electric circuit at high frequency. Impedance is measured in Ohms, similar to resistance. If the impedances are different, reflections and attenuation occur that deteriorate the signal. For high-frequency analog or digital circuits, it is essential to protect the signals that propagate on the PCB from being damaged. In fact, signals above ......

A Comprehensive Guide to Countersunk Holes in PCB Design

When designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), engineers often need to create holes in the board to mount components or attach connectors. Two common hole types are countersunk and counterbored. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are important differences between countersunk and counterbore holes that impact their use in PCBs. Both terms are commonly used in CNC machining. Normally countersunk is a cone-shaped hole and the counterbore is a cylindrical flat-bottomed hole. This article wi......

Blind vs Buried Vias: A Comprehensive Guide for PCB Design

A printed circuit board (PCB) is made up of layers of copper foil circuits stacked on top of each other, and the connections between different circuit layers rely on vias. If the holes drilled by a drilling machine or laser are left as is, they will not conduct electricity, because the surface of the original drilled hole is only resin, which is not conductive. Therefore, a layer of conductive material (usually copper) must be plated on the surface of the drilled hole. In this way, current propagates ......

PCB Manufacturing All posts >

Flying Probe Testing: Revolutionizing PCB Quality Assurance in Modern Electronics Manufacturing

The process for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs) includes a critical testing phase. Each board must undergo testing to ensure manufacturers detect every electrical or circuitry problem before leaving the center. When a PCB passes this testing, it further ensures that it performs reliably. The most common types of testing methods include in-circuit testing (ICT) and flying probe testing (FPT). 6 high-precision probes (needles), 4 on top and 2 on the bottom are programmatically able to contac......

Custom PCBs: The Ultimate Guide to Designing and Ordering Your Own PCB

Custom PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) are customized circuit boards designed to meet specific requirements or applications that standard off-the-shelf PCBs cannot fulfill. They are utilized in a broad array of electronic devices and systems, serving as a base for mounting and connecting electronic components like resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, and connectors. Custom PCBs facilitate the creation of specialized and innovative electronic devices, offering the adaptability to fulfill particula......

How to Avoid Copper Peel Off

Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) involves coating the surface of the exposed copper with a layer of tin alloy to prevent oxidation and provide a good soldering surface for subsequent assembly. The basic process of HASL is to briefly immerse the PCB board into a high-temperature liquid tin bath. Through the action of flux and high-temperature tin, a copper-tin alloy (IMG) is formed. Then, on guide rails, the board is lifted out while high-pressure gas blows away excess tin from non-copper areas and level......

DFM's Key Role in PCB Manufacturing

DFM design in PCB stands for Design for Manufacturability in Printed Circuit Board. In today's highly digital and electronic era, printed circuit boards (PCBs) serve as a backbone and crucial foundation for connecting and supporting electronic components. The quality and efficiency of PCB manufacturing are essential. The impact of design on manufacturing lies in DFM (Design for Manufacturing) – that is, designing for manufacturing. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) plays a crucial role in PCB manufacturi......

PCB Knowledge All posts >

Comprehensive Guide on Choosing the Right Circuit Board Cleaner

Introduction In the realm of electronics maintenance, selecting the appropriate circuit board cleaner is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, longevity, and reliability. Whether you're a seasoned technician or a DIY enthusiast, understanding how to choose and use the right cleaner can make a significant difference in the health of your electronic components. Choose the Right Circuit Board Cleaner Choosing the right circuit board cleaner can be daunting with the multitude of options available. Her......

Understanding the Role of Thermal Pads in Electronics Cooling

Introduction Maintaining ideal temperatures in different electronic systems depends critically on thermal pads, which are also a fundamental part of the effective cooling of electronic equipment. Acting as a thermal interface material (TIM), these pads guarantee efficient heat flow between heat sinks or other cooling systems and electronic components. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of thermal pads in preserving device dependability and performance given the rising power densities and ......

Understanding the Function of Electronic Parts in Circuit Design

Introduction The basic building blocks of modern electronics, electronic parts are important in forming reliable and efficient circuits. From small resistors to complex integrated circuits, these parts which range in value are critically important for the design and running of different electronic equipment. The importance of electronic parts in circuit design, their varieties, uses, and best practices for choosing the appropriate components to guarantee excellent performance in your projects are disc......

The Rise of HDI PCBs: Revolutionizing Advanced Electronics

Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of electronics, High-Density Interconnect (HDI) PCBs have emerged as a great innovation. These advanced PCB technologies are transforming the landscape of PCB design and manufacturing, leading to smaller, more powerful, and highly efficient devices. This article explores the era of HDI PCBs, exploring into their technology, benefits, and the impact they have across various industries. We'll cover key aspects such as miniaturization, micro-vias, blind and buri......

PCB Assembly All posts >

The Risks of Using Tin-Spray Process for BGA Packages and Solutions

As integrated circuit (IC) technology evolves, coupled with advancements in equipment and high-precision PCB manufacturing, consumer electronics are trending toward being lighter, thinner, and more powerful. Traditional through-hole or standard surface-mount components (SMT) are no longer sufficient to meet these demands. With the increasing integration level of silicon chips, the packaging method has transitioned to Ball Grid Array (BGA) technology. The Rise of BGA Packaging BGA package offers severa......

The Comprehensive Guide to PCB Assembly Process at JLCPCB: Efficient and Reliable PCB Manufacturing

One of the most important factors to create a working circuit board is the assembly technique and process, such a step has to be controlled and carefully executed to ensure the wellness of the final produced device. JLCPCB provides PCB Assembly by taking charge of the full steps of soldering each component to its placement on the board based on their capabilities which shortens the path for engineers and companies by saving more time. The PCB Assembly process comes directly after the PCB manufacturing......

The Essential Guide to SMT Stencils in PCB Assembly

Introduction In the dynamic world of electronics manufacturing, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) plays a crucial role in achieving efficiency and precision in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. Central to the SMT process is the SMT stencil, an indispensable tool for the accurate application of solder paste. This ensures solid electrical connections between components and PCBs. This guide delves into the specifics of SMT stencils, examining their types, materials, manufacturing methods, advantages, ch......

The Importance of High Precision in PCB Stencil Manufacturing

PCB stencils play a crucial role in the manufacturing process, especially when dealing with small pitch components. High precision in stencil manufacturing ensures accurate solder paste deposition, which is essential for reliable and high-performance electronic assemblies. In this article, we will highlight the importance of high precision in stencil manufacturing using an example from JLCPCB. We will also demonstrate the exact manufactured dimensions compared to the desired dimensions using measureme......