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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 >

Importance of SMD Capacitors in PCB Design

Introduction: Surface Mount Device (SMD) capacitors are essential to the layout and operation of printed circuit boards and are particularly vital in designs with limited space. These are little, highly potent elements that are essentially no bigger than a rice grain. These surface mounted device plays an integral role for the smooth operation of various electronic devices starting from smartphones to industrial machinery level. This is an article which explores the significance or importance of surfa......

Silkscreen in PCB Design

Introduction: Silkscreen is crucially important for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design, it is not only a decorative feature but also a necessary component for assembly and functionality of PCBs. Usually white, the silkscreen layer prints critical information on the surface of the board like test points, polarity indications, and component labels. This article covers the value of silkscreen in PCB design, the varieties, uses, and best practices for its use, therefore enabling you to maximize your PCB d......

A Comprehensive Guide to Multiboard PCB Design

Many complex electronics systems are built as multi-board arrays of PCBs. There are many advantages to this type of design, the biggest one is the modular approach it offers. The PCBs can be plugged as daughter boards into the main board which make it more compatible for prototyping such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi. If you want to develop your own multi-circuit boards system, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure your design will have the connectivity you need. Gathering your information a......

PCB Board Design: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) form the backbone of most modern electronic devices, providing a platform to connect electronic components. For beginners, PCB design can seem complex, but with the right approach, it becomes a manageable and rewarding task. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of designing a PCB, from planning to final checks. Today, as an example we will go through a design process of a lithium-ion battery charging module. TP4056 is one of the most popular charging ......

PCB Manufacturing All posts >

PCB Milling for Prototyping: Fast, Accurate, and Cost-Effective Solutions

The method of PCB milling is to remove copper portions from a fully copper board to replicate pads, signal tracks, and designs. The design patterns and structure are planned under a GBR G-CODE layout file. Similar to etching this is also a subtractive process, hence create the circuit by removing copper material from the board. PCB milling does not involve any chemical methods, making it suitable and safer for use in general home or office environments without the need for handling hazardous chemicals......

PCB Mount Techniques, Methods, and Best Practices

Introduction In the electronics industry, PCB Mount is a fundamental process that directly affects the assembly and functionality of electronic devices. PCB Mounting refers to the methods used to attach electronic components to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), making it a critical aspect for ensuring device reliability and performance. As technology advances, the techniques for PCB Mounting have evolved, allowing for more efficient and compact designs. PCB Mounting Techniques PCB mounting techniques are......

The Ultimate Guide to High-Multilayer PCB Manufacturing for Engineers

With the development of electronic devices towards higher performance and smaller sizes, the precision and performance requirements for PCBs are also increasing. High-multilayer PCBs can provide more routing layers, allowing for more complex and dense circuit designs, meeting the needs for high-frequency, high-speed transmission. Moreover, high-multilayer PCBs can achieve better signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility. This is particularly important for high-end applications such as 5G comm......

Understanding the Importance of Coverlay in PCB Boards

Introduction: In the swiftly evolving realm of electronics, the significance of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) is immense. These crucial elements are the backbone of nearly all electronic devices. An essential feature that greatly boosts the performance and durability of PCBs is the coverlay. This article delves into the role, advantages, and innovations of coverlay in PCB boards. What is Coverlay? Coverlay, also called cover film, is a protective layer used mainly in flexible PCBs. Unlike the conventi......

PCB Knowledge All posts >

Understanding the Role of Thermal Pads in PCB 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 ......

A Comprehensive Guide to Switch Types in PCB Design

Switches are essential components in PCB design, responsible for controlling the flow of electrical current within a circuit. They act as mechanical or electronic devices that can open or close circuits, enabling or disabling specific functions. Whether you're designing a consumer electronics device, an industrial machine, or a medical instrument, the right switch type is crucial for the functionality, reliability, and user experience of your product. In this guide, we'll explore the different types o......

Capacitors in PCB Design_ A Complete Guide to All Types

Capacitors are indispensable components in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design, providing functionality from energy storage and noise filtering to voltage regulation. Whether you're designing a simple circuit or a complex multi-layer board, understanding the different types of capacitors and their applications is crucial. The basic structure of a capacitor consists of two metal plates separated by a layer of dielectric. Capacitors can be of fixed or variable type. The ability of the capacitor to hold e......

Essential Components Found on Every PCBA

Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) is the heart of modern electronic devices, facilitating the seamless function of various systems by connecting multiple electronic components on a board. While the design and complexity of PCBAs vary based on the application ranging from consumer electronics to industrial systems. But some common core components are consistently found across virtually every assembly. With the evolution of components used in circuit boards over several years, it is essential for ev......

PCB Assembly All posts >

PCB Soldering Basic Techniques and Overview

Soldering means joining metal components with a melted metal called solder, which has a low melting point compared to other metals. Soldering is crucial in the electronics industry and is the primary method of joining electrical components. There are different types of soldering materials based on quality and their melting points. The most common combination is a tin or lead metal alloy mixed with silver or brass. The soldering iron melts the metal so it can be used like glue to connect two pieces. On......

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......