PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

For a PCB to deliver reliable performance, both in manufacturing and assembly as well as in actual use, quality and strict adherence to standards are vital. While higher initial costs are required for long-lasting PCBs, the long-term value outweighs these costs. Key reliability features include a hole wall copper thickness of 25μm to prevent electrical failures, the use of known high-quality base materials to ensure mechanical and electrical properties, compliance with IPC cleanliness and soldermask requirements to prevent residue and short-circuiting, and strict control over surface treatment lifetimes to avoid issues like moisture intrusion and delamination. Avoiding repairs on broken lines, defining tolerance limits for mechanical aspects, ensuring high-quality plugged holes, and not using X-out panels further contribute to improving PCB assembly efficiency and reducing failure risks during actual use. Read More

Terms starting with M: Major Defect: A serious defect that affects product usability. Mask: Material used for selective etching or solder application. Metal Foil: Conductive material used for forming circuits, typically copper. Microvia: Small conductive holes connecting layers in multilayer PCBs. Multilayer Printed Boards: Boards with multiple conducting layers separated by insulating materials. Terms starting with N: NC Drill: A machine for precise drilling of PCB holes. Netlist: A list of electronic components and their connections. New Product Introduction (NPI): A process to streamline bringing new products to market. Terms starting with P: Pad: A conductive area for component attachment. Photo Plotter: A device that generates photographic patterns for PCBs. Plated Through Hole: A hole plated to connect different PCB layers. Prototyping: The process of creating initial product versions for testing and validation. Read More

The current PCB market is experiencing less pronounced effects from the peak season compared to previous years, prompting manufacturers to lower prices to secure orders. Taiwanese PCB makers are particularly focused on the declining sales of Apple's iPhone and iPad, leading to reduced orders for Apple contract factories, which even shut down earlier for the Lunar New Year. Tripod Technology reported a capacity utilization rate of about 80% in September, lower than the typical 90% during peak months. The expansion of production capacity by over 2 million feet in the fourth quarter raises concerns about increased competition and potential price wars among manufacturers. In response, some PCB factories are shifting their focus to the automotive electronics sector, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for self-driving cars. Read More

The optimistic outlook for tablet PCs and smartphones is poised to benefit the PCB industry, especially as emerging markets like mainland China and Brazil adopt less restrictive financial policies to stimulate economic growth. Some manufacturers of glass fiber yarn, a key raw material for PCBs, are exploring the feasibility of establishing new plants in mainland China in response to declining demand for smartphones and tablets. However, selecting an optimal location is critical, as manufacturers must navigate challenges such as labor shortages while remaining close to the PCB supply chain. Mainland China and Taiwan are seen as the most competitive markets for glass fiber production due to favorable conditions, including proximity to suppliers and cultural similarities. Investors must carefully assess these factors to ensure success in the evolving market landscape. Read More

Terms starting with G: G10: A laminate made of woven epoxy-glass cloth, used in thin circuits. Gerber File: A data file for controlling photo plotters. Gold Finger: The gold-plated terminal of a card-edge connector. Ground: A reference point for electrical returns. Ground Plane: A conductor layer used as a common reference point. Terms starting with H: HASL: A method for coating copper with solder. HDI: High Density Interconnect, featuring ultra-fine geometry in multilayer PCBs. Header: The part of a connector assembly mounted on a PCB. Hermetic: Airtight sealing. Hole Density: The number of holes per unit area on a PCB. Terms starting with I: IC: Integrated Circuit. Imaging: Transferring electronic data to photo-plotters. Impedance: Resistance to current flow in an electrical network. In-Circuit Test: Testing individual components in a PCB assembly. IPC: The governing body for PCB design and manufacturing standards. Read More

The pricing of SMT services, particularly from PCBA manufacturers like SYS Technology, is influenced by several key factors: 1、Number of Solder Joints: The primary determinant of SMT pricing, with costs calculated based on the total solder joints required for the assembly. Smaller components count as one solder joint, while larger ones may count as two. 2、Engineering/Setup Fees: Historically, setup or engineering fees were charged based on order frequency, but they are now uncommon unless dealing with very small quantities. 3、Stencil Costs: The cost of stencils has decreased over time, now typically around $50, with manufacturers offering various options depending on the number of solder joints. 4、Expedited Fees: If materials need to be mounted urgently, an expedited fee is applied, calculated as a fixed amount or percentage. Read More

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production lines can be classified as fully automatic or semi-automatic, and by size—large, medium, or small. A fully automatic line connects all production equipment, while semi-automatic lines require manual input for some stages, such as board loading. Key workstations in an SMT production line include solder paste printing, dispensing adhesive, mounting components with a pick and place machine, curing glue, reflow soldering to bond components, cleaning residues, inspecting the quality with tools like AOI and ICT, and reworking faulty boards. Each step plays a critical role in ensuring precise assembly and soldering of PCBs. Read More

A solder mask, also known as "solder resist," is a semi-transparent polymer layer applied to PCBs to protect copper traces and prevent short circuits by stopping conductive solder from bridging different components. Traditionally green, solder masks are now available in various colors. The green color’s origin is widely debated, with theories ranging from military standardization to the ease of working with green during assembly. Historically, solder masks used a mix of resins that produced unattractive hues like brown and yellow. By combining pigments, specifically blue and yellow, manufacturers eventually created the green shade, which became the industry standard due to its aesthetic appeal and compatibility with base laminates. Read More

This article provides a step-by-step guide for DIY enthusiasts on how to create their own printed circuit boards (PCBs) without relying on breadboards or manufacturers for prototyping. The process begins with designing the circuit using PCB design software and printing the design onto transparent paper. The printed design is then transferred to a photo PCB by exposing it to UV light, either from fluorescent lamps or UV bulbs. After exposure, the unhardened photo-resist layer is developed and the board is etched using a copper sulfate solution. Once etched, holes are drilled according to the design, and components are soldered onto the board. The guide emphasizes careful handling during each step to ensure a successful PCB prototype. Read More

Since 2009, PCB manufacturers in Shenzhen have expanded their capabilities to offer PCBA services, garnering positive feedback from electronics manufacturers. The turnkey service has advantages, such as increased profit margins, but also presents challenges, like the risk of errors in component procurement due to variations in design and component requirements. Despite potential economic losses and resource wastage from errors, the trend toward a single supplier handling both PCB and PCBA is becoming increasingly prevalent due to market competition. Read More

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) connects electronic components through conductive pathways, tracks, and pads etched from copper sheets laminated onto a substrate. PCBs can be single, double, or multi-layered, depending on the application. When additional components are added, it becomes a PCB Assembly, which can be done using surface-mount or through-hole techniques. PCB fabrication is a high-precision process involving steps such as etching, drilling, and finishing. Due to the critical role of PCBs in electronic devices, it is essential to source them from reliable suppliers who can meet customer needs with high-quality products. The document suggests that Shenzhen-based manufacturer SysPCB is a reliable option for sourcing quality PCBs. Read More

With the advancement of innovative technologies, PCB manufacturers have enhanced printed circuit board assembly by adopting surface-mount technology (SMT). SMT is now the predominant method for electronic circuit board production due to its smaller size, improved performance, and compatibility with automated assembly using pick-and-place machines, minimizing the need for manual intervention. Unlike traditional wired components, which required manual placement due to their complex fitting requirements, SMT allows for almost entirely automated assembly. PCB assembly services provide a cost-effective way to update electronic devices rather than purchasing new ones. SMT production is mainly carried out in cleanroom environments that are ESD-safe to protect sensitive components from static damage. Shenzhen, China, is a major hub for electronics manufacturing, offering a wide range of components and assembly services at competitive prices, helping to reduce costs for PCB and PCBA sourcing. Read More

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) form the foundation of modern electronic circuits and can be made from various materials. The most widely used material is FR4, a glass fiber-based board, while the original PCBs were made from paper phenolic aldehyde. Single-sided boards, which have components on one side and wiring on the other, emerged in the U.S. in the 1950s with the advent of the transistor. In the mid-1950s, Japan advanced single-sided board production using imported copper foil and phenolic substrates. However, due to limitations in insulation and heat resistance, materials like paper epoxy and glass fiber epoxy resins were later introduced. Today, FR4 substrates are the primary material used for single-sided boards in consumer electronics. Read More

In the first half of this year, Vietnam produced up to 107 million mobile phones. The Bac Ninh region in Vietnam is becoming a significant hub for PCB manufacturing, particularly for Samsung Electronics. Several South Korean PCB manufacturers, including Flexcom, SI Flex, BH Flex, and Daeduck GDS, have set up plants in Bac Ninh, with Samsung Electronics planning to produce rigid-flex PCBs and HDI at a new plant there. Additionally, Japan's PCB output in Vietnam is growing, with companies like Meiko, Sumitomo Electric, Fujitsu, Nitto Denko, and Fujikura operating plants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The overall PCB output value in Vietnam is expected to exceed $1 billion soon. Read More