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How to protect circuit boards: Full encapsulation (potting) or thin coating?
PCB potting is a way to protect circuit boards by completely surrounding them with a special protective liquid or gel (called potting compound). There are three common types used for different needs: epoxy, polyurethane, and silicone. How it works: This creates a protective barrier around the electronics. PCB potting protects electronics in three key ways: Why bubbles […]
How far can I safely bend a flexible circuit?
The most common inquiry we receive concerning flex circuits pertains to the extent to which a flex circuit can be bent: “How far can I safely bend a flexible circuit?” According to IPC standards, the recommended minimum bend radius is 10 times the thickness of the material. IPC-2223 includes a section that provides reasonable guidance […]
Understanding Impedance: Key Points Explained Simply
Like rigid PCBs used in high-speed devices, flexible and rigid-flex circuit boards also need carefully controlled electrical pathways (impedance). They use the same target values – usually 50 ohms for single wires and up to 120 ohms for paired wires. But achieving these values is trickier for flexible boards. Why? Because they must bend during […]
Understanding Multilayer PCB Layer Structure
There are two basic kinds of circuit boards: When you need more space for wires or better signal quality, multi-layer PCBs are the better choice. Unlike single or double-layer boards, multi-layer PCBs are built by stacking many alternating layers of copper and insulation together. This creates a complex wiring network inside the board. This stack […]
Key Considerations for Flexible Circuit Wiring
Problems like designing the layers, placing parts, and cutting the circuit are usually easy to spot. However, flexible circuits also face several common material weaknesses. These can include adhesives that expand too much, thin copper layers peeling off flimsy plastic bases, or copper hardening or cracking. Keeping Flex Circuits Flexible You must decide how bendable the flexible […]
Fixing RTS Temperature Profile Issues
Let’s continue from the previous article: How Temperature Changes Solder Your PCB Troubleshooting RTS works the same way as RSS: adjust temperatures and timing until results improve. You’ll need some trial and error –nudge temperatures up/down and check what happens. Below are common RTS soldering problems and how to fix them: Problem: Solder Balls You see many tiny balls of solder […]
How Temperature Changes Solder Your PCB
Understanding Solder Paste Reflow Stages When solder paste heats up during reflow, the process goes through five distinct stages. This article focuses on two key aspects: How Ramp-to-Spike (RTS) Profiles Solve Heating Problems Older reflow ovens often heat circuit boards unevenly. Here’s why this happens and how RTS helps: The Problem: How RTS Helps:The Ramp-to-Spike […]
How to balance Copper Weight and Trace Width
In printed circuit board (PCB) design, finding the right balance between copper weight and trace width is key. Both factors affect your PCB’s performance, reliability, and cost. Whether you’re new to electronics or an experienced engineer, understanding this balance is essential for successful PCB design. Why Copper Thickness Matters？ The copper thickness (often called “copper weight”) on a PCB is […]
Let’s talk about the V-cut issue of the circuit board
V-Cut Array Design Specifications V-Cut panelization is applicable to regularly shaped boards. This fabrication method involves creating V-shaped grooves of controlled depth at the panel edges, facilitating post-assembly separation. Residual fibrous strands along separation lines – characteristic of V-scored boards – can be removed through light abrasion. Material expansion during detachment introduces marginally wider dimensional […]
What Factors Influence the Price of PCB Circuit Board?
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) serve as foundational elements in contemporary technology, embedded in devices ranging from mobile phones to aerospace systems. These boards mechanically stabilize electronic components while establishing critical electrical pathways. Nevertheless, PCB development and manufacturing involve intricate processes with significant cost implications, demanding meticulous evaluation of multiple variables. The financial implications of custom […]
