Low PCB Costs – Advanced Circuits | PCB Manufacturing & PCB Assembly https://www.4pcb.com/blog Printed Circuit Boards and PCB Assembly Manufacturer Blog Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:57:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 The Biggest Benefits of Using HDI PCBs /blog/the-biggest-benefits-of-using-hdi-pcbs/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 18:01:16 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2269 Continue reading ]]> High-Density Interconnector (HDI) printed circuit board connectors are a popular option for a range of different applications. They have increased wiring density for each of the unit areas on the board. These boards will have more interconnections while using less space. Boards that feature between 120 and 160 pins per square inch are considered high density. Although they can fit more into a smaller space, users do not have to worry about negative impacts on the functionality. They have many benefits that you can experience. The more you learn about those benefits, the easier it is to see why they are becoming the top choice.

Smaller Components Mean Smaller Products

Those who are looking for a smaller option for circuit boards will find that HDI PCBs could be an excellent solution. When designing circuit boards that use this technology, it allows for more components to be included in a smaller space. They can be populated on both sides of the board, so they can do more than a standard board that is the same size.

Since the technology allows for smaller circuit boards, but still manages to provide ample space and options, it means smaller end products. Using less space without compromising the quality and features is important to many designers today.

A Range of Applications

Smaller designs that are still powerful and capable are important for many different types of products across industries today. Whether the designer is working on a new smartphone, medical equipment, military tech, or aerospace tech, going smaller is often the goal.

One of the areas where HDI PCBs are making a big impact is in the medical industry. Many types of medical devices need to be small. This includes implants, equipment for the lab and for imaging, and more. Smaller sizes are helpful, whether it is for a pacemaker, a camera used for medical imaging, or another piece of equipment used by medical professionals.

Of course, there are plenty of other industries that are making good use of these smaller boards. The automotive industry, for example, uses these types of boards in many of their vehicles. Because they are smaller, they will take up less space in the car. This means that more technological features could be added to the vehicles while still taking up less space.

Military and aerospace applications are growing, as well. From defense systems to missiles and more, these smaller circuit boards are making a difference. Another one of the reasons that they are used for these applications is their durability. When they are made properly, they have the capability to withstand the rigors of use in extreme environments. This might be space or a battlefield.

Wearable technology will benefit from the use of these boards, too. Since HDI PCBs are smaller and can help to increase battery life, they are popular for a range of different types of wearable tech, such as smartwatches.

More and more industries are likely going to be looking to enjoy all of the benefits that these boards can provide. Those who are trying to determine what sort of boards they should be using will want to seriously consider the HDI PCBs.

Less Power Usage

Another one of the biggest benefits of choosing HDI PCBs is the fact that they use less power. This will naturally lead to longer battery life. When creating any sort of handheld device or equipment that utilizes batteries, the longer the battery life, the better. Most consumers do not want items that need to be recharged constantly. They want a product that has a long battery life, and these high-density interconnector circuit boards can be an ideal solution for this.

Long Lifespan

The HDI PCBs also tend to have longer lives than other boards. One of the reasons for this is the fact that there is reduced degradation because of the heat. These boards have less heat transfer because the heat does not have to travel as far before it can escape the board. These types of boards do not have to deal with as much stress due to thermal expansion, either. The boards tend to be rugged and strong, and they have fewer perforations. They are built to last and can still provide the space that a larger board would provide.

Conductivity Management

With these boards, you can choose to fill the vias with nonconductive or conductive materials. These will help with the transmission between the components on the board. The boards allow for blind vias and via-in-pads components to be placed closer together. This will typically help to improve the functionality of the board. This is because the transmission times will be reduced along with reductions in crossing delays.

The signal strength will be increased, which is another one of the reasons that many people are opting for HDI PCBs today. The blind and buried vias make for a more efficient product, and you can expect better signal integrity. Ultimately, this can allow for better overall products.

A Cost-Effective Option

Another one of the benefits of using HDI PCBs is their cost-effectiveness. They are smaller and often cost the same or less than other boards that would take up more space. These boards are a good solution for those who are looking for a quality option. You will not have to spend more money – or take up more space with boards – to get the functionality you need.

Move Forward with Your Own HDI PCBs

Now that you have a better understanding of HDI PCBs and the types of benefits they can confer, it’s time to consider whether they are right for you. Take the time to learn more about what we can offer at Advanced Circuits. We can provide fast turnaround times for the boards you need. We also have software available which will allow you to create your own boards. Best of all, our high-quality design software is free. If you are looking for the very best in circuit boards, Advanced Circuits can help.

 

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How to Find Quality PCB Manufacturing While Keeping Costs Low /blog/how-to-find-quality-pcb-manufacturing-while-keeping-costs-low/ Fri, 05 Aug 2016 00:02:23 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=1148 Continue reading ]]> Even while designers are working diligently to develop PCB designs that will meet the needs of a particular project, the effort must be underway to source a manufacturer who is:

  • Capable of fabricating the final design.
  • Able to meet the project budget in quoting the cost of manufacturing a prototype, final product, or both.
  • Willing to commit to product deadlines and has the manufacturing bandwidth to produce on schedule.
  • Technically matched to the designer’s tools to optimize effective communication and final fabrication results.
  • Committed to quality and on-time delivery.

Proposed manufacturers being considered should utilize automation tools that help PCB designers work in collaboration with the vendors to resolve potential issues before manufacturing actually begins. Even prototype designs should be analyzed for potential fabrication problems so that designers and manufacturing teams can work as a unit to resolve them early in the process. This greatly improves the likelihood that boards produced will meet the designer’s specifications and will provide the functionality engineered into the product.

How Can PCB Designers Find the Right Manufacturer While Keeping Costs Low?

There are many fabricators of PCBs with just as many variations in capability, cost, and quality. These providers are located throughout the world, adding further wrinkles to the selection of a manufacturing resource. There are a variety of important considerations in finding the manufacturer that is right for your project:

  • Does the manufacturer utilize the technology that will accommodate a successful build of your PCB? Not all suppliers have the advanced computer aided manufacturing tools available to create the most sophisticated PCB designs. With rapidly-shrinking PCBs tailored to specific products, PCB engineers must keep pace with advanced technology, and manufacturers must do the same.
  • Can the manufacturer provide feedback to your design in the forms of analysis that reveals problems or suggestions for improvement before manufacturing begins? This is the hallmark of a seasoned and technically-capable supplier who will add value beyond the manufacturing process itself. Such a level of service can effectively reduce project cost and result in a higher-quality PCB. With the extreme precision required in PCB design and manufacturing it becomes essential to utilize software technology suited specifically to such tasks.
  • Even if the highest levels of technology are utilized by a prospective provider, is it used effectively to provide the quality you need for your PCB products? Make sure your vendor possesses any accreditation you require and that certifications are up to date. Quality counts in PCB manufacturing with faulty components or boards resulting in failures of the PCB or the products they’re installed in.
  • Delivery may be important to any given project, as well. If the supplier can’t commit to – and meet – delivery in quantities needed, they are probably not the vendor to establish a long-term relationship with. What is the vendor’s track record for reliable and consistent delivery?
  • Cost isn’t everything, but it’s definitely a factor in the vendor selection equation. With companies located globally, it may be cost-effective to source PCBs from countries where costs are lower than local companies can even approach. But consider communications difficulties in the form of language barriers, different time zones, and widely varying manufacturing techniques and quality control. Saving a small amount on the PCB itself may be outweighed by other complications and project delays that add significantly to the total cost of the project. In addition, the vendor’s low cost quote may be due to lower-quality materials in laminates or components. Verify that their manufacturing methods and materials will meet with all design specifications.
  • Not to be ignored is support. Are there technicians available that can discuss issues with the fabrication or design processes? Engineers can waste a considerable amount of time waiting for responses to questions or asking for design modifications when fabrication personnel are not available.

All these elements in selecting a quality PCB manufacturing resource should be considered when selecting a supplier. There are additional recommendations that apply to PCB design that contribute to controlling cost while creating quality boards that take Design for Manufacturing (DFM) into account.

Cheap PCB Manufacturing

 

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