PCB Technology Archives - Do It Easy With ScienceProg

What Should You Check in Gerber Files Before Sending Them to Fabrication?

You have taken weeks to design your PCB and carefully routed traces and placed components and reread your schematic. And here comes the moment of truth, sending your design over to fabrication. However, one more step, which needs to be taken before you press that submit button, is checking your Gerber files, as this will save you a lot of money spent on making expensive errors and losing time on long waits. The language used between PCB designers and PCB manufacturers is Gerber files, which is universal. They have everything in it to make your board: from copper tracks to holes to make. Consider these as the design of your PCB and like any other design, it must be precise and comprehensive. We shall take a stroll of what you need to verify before transferring these crucial files to your manufacturer.

What Trace Width Do I Need for My PCB Current, Temperature Rise, and Voltage Drop Goals?

You are not the only one to look at a PCB design and realize that you may not know whether your copper traces will be able to carry the current that you are about to pour into them. One of such essential issues of PCB design that can break or make your project is getting trace width right. Too thin and you can easily overheat, or even burn the traces. Too broad and you are both wasting real estate on the board and you are also risking a rise in manufacturing costs.

How to Choose the Right PCB Manufacturer in Europe vs Asia for Your Next Prototype (Without Blowing Your Timeline)

When deciding to make a prototype PCB, one must know that the PCBs are indispensable for the continuance of your program schedule. Their timely presence would open doors for myriad corollary activities like firmware bring-up, system verification, enclosure fit checks… Well, in essence, your whole world comes crashing down if that signal of life doesn’t arrive in time. Obviously, the choice of PCB supplier is all about mitigating the risks of uncertainty, as the choice that narrows the risks of iteration also minimizes design modifications.

Cost vs Quality: Finding the Best PCB Board Suppliers

Every product built on a printed circuit board carries a hidden balance sheet. Engineers design for performance. Procurement teams negotiate for cost. Suppliers promise capacity and quality. However, behind the numbers and polished brochures, the real choice is not simply about a board. It’s about trusting the right PCB board suppliers. Here, you will not find a list of the usual checkboxes of certifications and pricing. Instead, we will explore the less discussed side of supplier selection: where hidden costs appear, what quality really means beyond defect rates, and how businesses can choose suppliers who create lasting value, not just immediate savings.

Understanding EMC and EMI in PCB Design

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) are critical factors in PCB design that can significantly impact device performance. EMC refers to an electronic system’s ability to function properly within its electromagnetic environment without generating disturbances that affect other nearby devices. On the other hand, EMI is the unwanted electromagnetic energy that can cause interference, leading to malfunctions or degraded performance in electronic circuits.

What is HDI PCB Stackup?

HDI PCB stackup is a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) that uses high-density interconnects (HDIs) to connect its various layers. HDI technology allows for smaller and more densely packed circuitry than traditional PCBs, making them ideal for use in space-constrained electronic devices.

What Are Surface Mounted Devices and Why Do They Matter?

Sometimes, it feels like technology is developing faster than I can hope to keep up with. Still, I do my best to keep myself in the know, despite the challenges that can come with that. If you’re like me or are already a total tech junkie, hopefully, this article will provide useful insights! Surface-mount technology, or SMT for short, has made a big impression in the last few years. It’s becoming a popular form of fitting components. Devices made in this fashion are called surface-mounted devices, or SMDs. If you aren’t sure what any of that means, continue reading for some explanations!

PCB Material: The complete Guide in 2022

Printed circuit boards have become helpful in many ways. You will find them in almost every electronic gadget. Moreover, the demand for PCBs has increased. Many pieces of equipment and device manufacturers need printed circuit boards for the manufacturing process. However, many people are confused about the materials used in PCB manufacturing. This is because the performance and durability of a PCB board depend on the material used. So, to ensure you select the suitable materials for the board, you need to review the available materials. Below is a complete guide on the PCB materials you can consider in 2022.

Break Down IIoT Projects Cost with Seeed Fusion

The IoT community has well-received LoRa-E5, and demand quickly dried up inventory. But now we are happy to announce that the LoRa-E5 (STM32WLE5JC) module is back in stock! Seeed is also launching a sponsorship event to support IoT makers’ manufacture and design with Lora-E5! Receive $250USD off when your Lora design is manufactured with Seeed Fusion! What Is LoRa-E5? LoRa-E5 is a LoRaWAN Module designed by Seeed, with low cost, ultra-low power consumption, and high performance in mind. It is designed under industry standards with an operating temperature range of -40 ℃ to 85 ℃. It is adapted for smart cities, smart agriculture, wireless communication networks, and other low-power wide-area IoT scenarios. If you need a module for your LoRaWAN application, then LoRa-E5 should be your go-to solution.

What is Heavy Copper PCB? Major Applications and benefits

Heavy copper PCB, also known as thick copper PCB, is a printed circuit board with 3 ounces (oz) of copper or more on the internal and external layers. Moreover, a heavy copper PCB is a circuit board having a copper thickness of greater than 4 ounces per square foot (ft2). What is the thickness of copper on a PCB? The 1 oz completed copper weight selection is also the usual beginning copper weight for external layers on PCBs. Standard internal layer copper thickness for “standard construction product for 1 oz and 2 oz finished copper weight options is 1 oz copper (35m thick or 1.4 mils).