Printed Circuit Board Suppliers

PCBs, or printed circuit boards are used in almost all modern electronic devices. They have replaced the earlier era tag type circuit assembly processes.

A PCB consists of multiple layers with copper on each layer. The inner layer of the board is made from a dielectric composite material that may be either a fiberglass fabric or a woven glass.

Substrate

The substrate is a non-conductive material upon which a circuit board is built. It is the base on which the electrical components of a printed circuit board are placed and connected together via copper traces. Typically, the substrates used for PCBs are pieces of fiberglass or epoxy. Some of the more advanced types of PCBs are made on multi-layer substrates, with conductive layers that are etched to produce pads and tracks.

The definition of the term substrate may vary slightly depending on the niche in which it is being used, but the core concept will remain consistent. For example, in chemistry, the term is often used to refer to the chemical that is acted on by an enzyme or catalyst and that changes into something different.

However, the word substrate is also often used to refer to the underlying material on which a process will occur. For instance, when referring to a metal that has been electroplated onto another surface, the silver is often considered to be the substrate. In geology, the term is usually used to describe an underlying stratum or layer.

Copper

A key element of a PCB is copper, which conducts electrical current and signals to the components. The amount of copper in a circuit board can have a huge impact on how well it performs. printed circuit board supplier It is important to choose the correct type of copper for your application.

Different types of PCBs have different requirements. Some may require high frequencies, while others need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures. PCBs can also be made with a wide variety of dielectric materials.

The thickness of a PCB’s copper can be specified directly or in terms of its weight per square foot, which is easier to measure. The most common thickness is 1 oz/ft2, which is usually used as an inner layer. PCBs that use heavy copper, which is up to 20 oz/ft2, are used for power and control circuits. It is important to understand that the thickness of a copper layer impacts its performance, including power plane thermal conductivity and ground plane impedance. In addition, it also affects how easy the board is to etch.

Solder Mask

Solder masks are used to protect the copper wires of a PCB from contaminants. These pollutants can cause short circuits and lower the lifespan of the copper traces. Solder masks also help prevent etching by creating barriers that prevent the copper from reacting with the chemicals in solder paste.

The most common type of solder mask is green, which provides the highest resolution and is more durable than other colors. However, some designers prefer red solder masks for aesthetic reasons. Other color options include orange, purple, yellow, and black.

PCB fabrication requires special skills and equipment. To ensure high quality and accuracy, the board must be free from impurities and stains. It Printed Circuit Board Supplier Supplier should also have a uniform surface with no air gaps or spacing between pad features.

Once the printed circuit board has passed the pre-treatment, it is placed in a vertical coater for solder mask ink coating. After the board is coated, it is baked for final thermal curing.

Finishes

When left unprotected the copper surfaces on PCBs can oxidize and deteriorate, rendering them unusable. Surface finishes protect the exposed copper and provide a solderable surface when components are attached to the circuit board. There are several different types of surface finishes used in printed circuit boards, including HASL, ENIG, and ENEPIG. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

HASL, for example, provides good flatness and a low cost. However, it is not suitable for lead free soldering and does not provide good etch resistance. ENEPIG, on the other hand, offers excellent flatness and solderability and is an ideal choice for through-holes, SMT, BGAs and wire bonding. It features two metallic layers — nickel and gold — and is a great choice for high-reliability applications.

Another popular option is immersion tin, which is RoHS compliant. However, it is less flat than HASL and ENIG and does not offer the same level of corrosion resistance. Lastly, there is OSP (Organic Surface Preservative), which is very flat but does not prevent oxidation or improve solderability. This finish is also not good for visual inspection or electrical measurement.

Assembly

Printed circuit board suppliers use different assembly methods depending on their production capability and customer needs. For example, some companies offer quick-turn PCB manufacturing services and are capable of fabricating double-sided PCBs. Others offer a wide range of services, including engineering, design, and testing. They can even make custom prototypes of a circuit board for the customer.

Some companies that specialize in PCB fabrication are Custom Design Service Corp, RBB Systems, and Mathis Electronics. Custom Design Service Corp manufactures custom-printed circuit boards for a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and marine. Their products are used in monitor testing equipment and communication network systems. RBB Systems is a custom manufacturer of PCBs that are used in aerospace, marine, and medical applications. Their products are UL-certified and ISO:9001.

Another PCB supplier is TechnoTronix. They are based in Bristol, Pennsylvania. They have a long list of clients and are certified as an AS9100D/ISO:9001:2015 and ITAR-registered company. They have several state-of-the-art production plants and provide high-quality circuit boards. Their production processes are world-class, and they can produce rigid and flexible PCBs in large quantities.