2-Layer PCBs

Compared to 4-layer PCBs, 2-layer PCBs are much easier to work with due to their simple design. While not as simple as 1-layer PCBs, they’re as straightforward as you can get without sacrificing the functionality of double-sided inputs. The reduced complexity leads to an equally reduced price tag, but this means there are fewer possibilities than with the 4-layer PCB. As a pro, though, there is no propagation delay with the signal.

4-Layer PCBs

4-layer PCBs have much greater surface area than a 2-layer PCB, increasing the possibilities. As a result, they can be great for more complex devices. Because of their complexity, the production cost will be higher and development will be a bit slower. They are also more likely to have propagation delays, so be sure to factor in extra production time to any project timeline.

What are the Layers Used For?

The most important layer in a PCB is the copper signal layer, which is what the PCBs are named after. While 2-layer PCBs have two signal layers, 4-layer PCBs have – you guessed it – four. These signal layers are used to connect to other electronic components in the device. In between those layers is the insulation layer or core, which is added in between the signal layers to give it structure. In 4-layer PCBs, here’s also the solder mask layer, which is applied on top of the signal layers. This prevents the copper traces from interfering with other metal components on the PCB. They also have a silkscreen layer which is used to add numbers to the different components, making them easier to understand.

If you’re looking for PCB solutions, look no further than Advanced Circuits. We offer PCB assembly, barebones PCBs, free PCB design software, and so much more. Our 24-hour tech support team would love to help you– contact us today.

Why Was SMT Technology Created?

Automation for printed circuit boards started to grow in the 1970s and 80s. This was meant to make it faster and easier to create the PCBs for the demanding market. However, it was quickly discovered that using the traditional leads and wires was difficult for PCB assembly. It was difficult to create the boards quickly, and sometimes the leads would miss holes. If everything was not set perfectly onto the board, it wouldn’t work properly — or at all.

This means that the automation process was slowed down and that the cost increased. Essentially, it eliminated the main reasons that automation was introduced in the first place. To eliminate these problems, SMT technology was created.

Today, surface mount technology has become the most common option for PCB assembly. Instead of needing leads or wires, which could break and become a problem, the components are simply soldered to the PCB. The leads don’t have to go through holes as would be the case with the older-style leads.

Over the years, the size of the components has shrunk, which means that the boards have shrunk, too. This is why we’ve seen so many different types of devices get smaller year after year. The PCBs are better designed and can do far more than their past counterparts.

SMT Technology Components

SMT has three main categories of component types. These include:

• Passive Components
• Transistors and Diodes
• Integrated Circuits

Passive Components

Passive surface mounted devices can come in many different styles. The most common tend to be capacitors or resistors. However, they could also include coils or crystals depending on what’s needed for the board. You’ll also find a range of different sizes, which can make it possible to find solutions for nearly any type of board being created. The larger options, including the 1206 and the 1812, are not used as frequently today as they were in the past. These tend to be for devices and applications that may require a substantial amount of power.

Transistors and Diodes

These are small and will typically be contained in plastic. The leads emerge from the plastic casing and are bent so that they’ll touch the board. This makes them easy to solder into place. These will have three leads. This is helpful, as it makes it easy to determine how they should be applied.

Integrated Circuits

There are also options for integrated circuits. These chips will have a varying number of pins on them. Some, for example, might only have 14 pins. Others, such as processors, could have 200 or more pins. Naturally, there are many different types of chips that could be used depending on the nature of the device you’re designing. Some of the common types include Small Outline Integrated Circuits, Dual In-Line, Thin Small Package Outline, and Shrink Small Outline Package.

There are many other packages available, as well. The options that you choose when designing the PCB will vary based on your needs, naturally. Regardless of what’s being used, though, it becomes easy to see why SMT technology has become so popular. It helps to reduce the size of the PCBs while still giving them all the features and power that are needed.

Test Your Design

Using PCB Artist — free software from Advanced Circuits — you can create your initial design for the printed circuit board. You can check out more than half a million different components that can be used for the design. This will give you the chance to experiment and find the options that will work best for your needs. The design software helps to make it easier to create a quality PCB. Then, the design check and engineering review will ensure that it works before you go into production.

However, it tends to be a good idea to order a few prototypes first. Having some prototypes to test in real-world scenarios will help to ensure that the SMT design will work for your needs. Even though you might feel as though you’ve created a high-quality PCB, you won’t know until you’ve tested it in the field to determine how it behaves.

If the design doesn’t quite hold up under real-world testing, it’s time to go back to the design and consider ways that you might improve it. This could involve using different components, for example. Perhaps you found that you need to have more power than you realized and may need to have a larger integrated circuit on the board. Find the problem, fix it, and get another prototype.

Manufacturing the PCBs with SMT Technology

Once you’re sure that you have a PCB that will meet your needs, you can then go into full production. Advanced Circuits can manufacture your boards whether you need just a few or you need to have tens of thousands. We’re the third-largest PCB manufacturing company in the United States, and we manufacture everything within our facility.

Additionally, we have a fast turnaround time. Often, you’ll have your boards delivered to your door within days of placing your order. We have staff available around the clock if you have any questions about your boards.

SMT Technology is a Great Solution

SMT has helped electronics to advance quickly in the past several decades. The smaller size and the capabilities they offer can help electronics makers of all types, regardless of the size of your business. It’s important to ensure that boards are designed correctly and that the boards are manufactured to your specifications. You can get in touch with Advanced Circuits today to get a quote.

Benefits of Today’s PCBs

As mentioned, printed circuit boards today are compact. Even though they are smaller, they can have a larger number of components on them. This means that not only is it possible to make technology smaller, but it’s also possible to improve it. They can be extremely complex, allowing for far more functionality in a smaller space.

Printed circuit boards also tend to be far more reliable than they were in the past. This is because of the way they are created and because they don’t require leads to connect the various components. Instead, they can be soldered right onto the board. This means no broken leads, better overall reliability, and PCBs that don’t suffer from the same types of problems they did in the past.

Another nice benefit is that the PCBs today tend to be affordable. It is possible to create high-quality boards that will last, for less than you could in the past, even though they are more reliable and have better functionality.

Using PCBs allows you to create the types of electronic devices you need no matter how simple or complex they might be. The size of the boards and components means that it is often possible to shrink the size and the weight of the device, which can drive down your costs even further.

Create the Best

If you are creating a printed circuit board design, for your own needs or your company, you naturally want to create the best. The board needs to do exactly what you need it to do, and it needs to be as efficient as possible. In the past, when creating a PCB, the design work started in the mind and then moved on to breadboard testing before creating the board. Today, the work still starts with an idea, but the means used to take that idea and move to production is a bit different. Fortunately, it is also far more efficient. Let’s look at how it’s done.

Figure Out What the Board Needs to Do

The first thing you will have to do is consider what the board’s functions will be. What type of device will the board be used to control? What do the device and the board need to be capable of delivering? Knowing what the board needs to do and how it will function in the machine will help you get a better idea of how to design it. Once you have your idea firmly in place, you can move on with the design.

Use Software to Make the Process Faster and Easier

Today, the best and simplest way to create a PCB is by using software for the design. Of course, you need to be sure you are choosing only the best software for the job. There are many options on the market, but that does not mean that they will all do a good job. It’s also true that some of the pieces of software can cost thousands of dollars.

Instead of using expensive software, or software that doesn’t have all the features you need, you will want to check out our PCB Artist software, instead. This is fully-featured software that features more than half a million parts and up to 28 layers. The software is intuitive and easy to use, so most people will not have any trouble getting started and creating their PCBs.

Of course, one of the best features of the software is the price. When you choose to use PCB Artist, you won’t have to pay anything. We provide this software entirely free because we want to make sure that you are getting the best possible tool to create your PCBs. This will help to make your work easier, and it will ensure you are happy with the results when we manufacture those boards for you.

The software also has a way to check the board to ensure there are not any issues. Additionally, we will provide you with a free engineer check and review. This helps to cut down on any potential issues that could otherwise arise with the board.

You Need to Test the Boards Before Mass Production

Of course, even when you have a board that you are certain will work just the way you need, it is still a good idea to get a prototype. Ordering one or several of the prototypes is a good way to ensure the board works well when it is used in the real world. You can test it out in the electronic device to ensure that there are no issues with overheating and that it functions as it should.

If there are issues, you can correct them and then choose another prototype. Once you are satisfied with how it works, you will feel more comfortable placing your full order.

Always Choose a Manufacturer with Quality Materials and Facilities

When buying PCBs, you must learn more about the company that will be doing the manufacturing. You want to be sure that they have the knowledge and experience to provide you with what you need. You also need to know that they are using only the best quality materials in the PCBs.

Advanced Circuits understands your concern. We’ve been in business for a long time, and we aren’t going anywhere. We have state-of-the-art facilities that are used for manufacturing the PCBs you need. We always use the best quality materials possible, and we strive to get your boards to you as soon as possible. We have a fast turnaround time that you won’t find with other companies. Put your trust in Advanced Circuits and see what we can do for you.

Although microvias have been around for years, they are starting to become more common when multiple functions need to be controlled by a single board. The microvia routing between layers can make it easier to include all of the necessary functions.

Because all functions can be accomplished with a single board, it can help to save space in the equipment, and it could help to reduce some of the weight. While such a small weight reduction might not matter with some types of equipment, it can be quite important for equipment designed for the aerospace industry or the military.

What is a Microvia?

This is a much smaller version of a traditional via. To be considered micro, most feel that the diameter needs to be less than 150 micrometers (µm). These holes can be drilled with lasers or mechanically. Lasers, because of their precision, are becoming a preferred method of drilling these holes. Some can be as small as 15 micrometers.

Lasers also have the benefit of not leaving behind any residue or materials in the drilled holes, which could happen with a mechanical drill. There tend to be fewer defects with lasers, as well. However, a quality manufacturer that knows and understands how to properly drill the microvias mechanically will have a low instance of failures, as well.

Today, there are several different types of microvias. Regardless of the type, you will find that they all have two characteristics in common that will need to be considered. They are going to have a low aspect ratio, and there may be a risk of fracture in the neck region. This fracturing could happen due to mechanical shock, vibrations, or because of the thermal cycling.

Buried Microvias

A buried microvia will only span between two interior layers. They will not reach the outer part of the circuit board. Many designers will span a single layer using these types of microvias, which can help to make fabrication easier and help to increase the reliability of the vias.

Blind Microvias

Blind microvias will start at the surface layer of the board and then go one to two layers below the surface before terminating. Most designers will have a blind microvia that spans just a single layer. Those who need to span two layers may want to use stacked microvias instead.

Stacked Microvias

The stacked microvias are “stacks” of buried vias or a blind microvia that has been stacked atop buried microvias. This is a common way to span multiple layers in the printed circuit board while helping to improve reliability and reducing the number of fabrication steps needed. It is important to note that internal buried microvias that are in the stack should be filled with conductive paste and then plated over. This helps to provide a strong contact for the next via in the stack.

Microvias Offer Many Benefits

Many companies today are using these types of vias because they need to have more components packed into smaller spaces. As mentioned, this helps to reduce the size of the board, meaning it can fit into smaller equipment.

However, smaller boards can also often result in cost savings. The use of microvias-in-pad allows for connections to be made in the pads of various types of surface-mounted technologies. Normal vias are often too large for the surface-mounted technologies, so this helps to ensure a better fit inside of the pad without needing to worry about manufacturing problems. There are plenty of reasons to choose to use microvias. However, you also need to be sure that they can be manufactured properly.

Fabrication Should Be Entrusted to the Right Manufacturer

Microvia fabrication can be complex, and this means that not all of the manufacturers offering these services are capable of providing you with what you need. You need to make sure that you are always working with the best manufacturers in the field, such as Advanced Circuits. We have the technology, the tools, the experience, and the facilities to handle all manner of PCB fabrication needs, including microvias.

Other Reasons to Choose Advanced Circuits

Advanced Circuits has many features that help to make us a standout company for creating all of your printed circuit boards. One of the biggest benefits is the free software that we offer. This software makes it easy for designers to create the ideal boards for their needs. They can experiment with the designs. They can use various types of vias and microvias and other features. You can test it all out virtually before committing to getting a prototype or going into full production. Our experts will review the engineering file before it goes into production, as well, to ensure there are no errors that will need to be fixed.

We’re the third-largest printed circuit board manufacturer in the United States and we work hard to ensure the best possible customer service. Advanced Circuits has a reputation for being reliable and for providing high-quality fabrication of PCBs. We offer around-the-clock tech support, so users can always get in touch by phone with a live person at Advanced Circuits.

We offer instant quotes, order status tracking, and extremely fast turnaround time. Additionally, there are not any minimum PCB order requirements as you might find with other companies. This means that if you are just in need of a prototype or a handful of boards, you can get just what you need. If you need thousands of PCBs, we can do that, as well.

Create Your Board Today

If you are intrigued by the benefits that can be found with microvias and you feel that they could be what your PCBs need, it’s time to get started. Use our software to build your board, test it out, and see whether it’s the right solution for your needs.

Know Your Goals with the Printed Circuit Board

Before you start to design the PCB and long before it can go through the circuit board assembly process, you need to be sure that you know what the board needs to accomplish. Different types of boards may have different functions. Some might be relatively simple, while others may need to handle more functions. Those who have complex needs from their boards will likely need to use multilayer PCBs. This will allow for more functionality in less space.

Take the time to determine what the goals are for the board before beginning the design. Designers will find that having a solid plan in place even before heading to the software will help to keep them on the right track.

Sometimes, the design that you create will not work as intended. It’s always better to find this out in the early planning and designing phase rather than when the boards are being printed. Take the time needed to perfect the design. A good plan and the right software will help with this.

Use Quality Software

When designing the boards, you will want to be sure that you are using quality software that is made specifically for PCBs. Good software can help to make the process of designing easier, and some programs will even offer the ability to check the files before they move to the circuit board assembly process. They can find errors, and some software can fix certain errors to make your work easier.

If there are potential problems with the design, you can go back into the software and make the needed adjustments before you move to the process of circuit board assembly. This helps you save time since you won’t have ordered a prototype that doesn’t work and then try to figure out why. Once you are certain that your board is in good shape, you can then get a prototype or have a large number of the boards manufactured.

Generally, you will want to have prototypes done first. Order just a single board, or a few, and test them out. See how they work, how they stand up to different situations, etc. This will let you know if you need to do any further design work before moving into the manufacture and circuit board assembly phase.

Of course, many will worry that prototypes will be difficult to get because some manufacturers do not want small orders. When you work with Advanced Circuits, you will not have to worry about this since there are no minimum orders. We also provide an engineering check to ensure it will work, and you can use our free software to design the boards.

Hire a Professional for Manufacturing and Assembly

After you are certain that you have a circuit board with a good and usable design, it is time to assemble the boards. However, you may not want to attempt this on your own. Consider just how much time and space it will take to perform circuit board assembly, even for a few hundred boards. If you have thousands, it will be next to impossible for you to do on your own unless you already have a facility dedicated to production.

This is not the case with most designers, so it makes more sense from a logistical and financial perspective to work with professionals like Advanced Circuits. If you were to try to set up an assembly facility of your own, you would need to have additional space and likely additional employees. Also, there would not be a guarantee that the circuits were working properly.

You need to have a manufacturer that has the space, expertise, and tools available to manufacture the circuit boards. Outsourcing the circuit board assembly is typically the best option. Of course, you can’t entrust your boards to just any manufacturer.

Why You Should Work with Advanced Circuits

You now have a better understanding of why you will want to work with professionals and why you need to have a quality design to start. It is time that you connected with Advanced Circuits. Our company is the third-largest printed circuit board manufacturer in the United States.

On our site, you can download our free software for designing your printed circuit boards. This helps to make the process of designing faster and easier. This is not just some simple software, either. You will find that it is a professional-grade software that has more features than many paid programs. It is easy to use and it includes a free online file check that lets you look for any manufacturing issues that might be present before going into production.

Advanced Circuits is known for being reliable and providing quality PCB fabrication. Additionally, we are financially stable, which means you will not have to worry about the company going out of business.

We are known for using quality materials, providing reliable PCBs, and having a fast turnaround time. Our experience helps to ensure that the boards are made and assembled correctly and that they reach you quickly. We also have around-the-clock tech support, so you can always talk to an actual human when needed.

If you need professional printed circuit board assembly, it is time that you got in touch with us. We have the means and the expertise to help you get what you need quickly and easily. Check out the software, get a quote, and get your boards faster than you might believe.

When you are choosing a manufacturer for PCBs, you should consider not only the most important factors for you but all of the factors that go into a great company. This helps to ensure that you are choosing your manufacturer correctly.

Below, we will be looking at some of the factors that tend to be at the top of many peoples’ lists when they are looking for a PCB manufacturer.

Are Quick Turn PCBs Important for You?

Whether you are creating your prototype, or you are looking to have a large number of printed circuit boards manufactured, you want to know how long it will take. Sometimes, you do not have as much time as you might like. You need the PCBs as soon as possible. This means that you need to choose a manufacturer capable of meeting your specific needs not only in terms of quality but also turnaround time. It is important to realize that not all companies will be able to offer quick turn PCBs.

Fortunately, you will not find that problem with Advanced Circuits. We have a range of options available to meet the needs of our customers. We can offer same-day turns for those who are placing their two-layer PCB order by 8:15am MST. These boards will be shipped the same evening. Additionally, if you submit two-layer or multilayer PCB designs on Friday, we will build the boards over the weekend, so they can arrive by Monday morning.

We offer small quantity and quick turn assembly services that ensure you are getting the PCBs you need when you need them. We also have an on-time guarantee. Our company built a reputation on being able to provide quick turn PCBs, and this means that we will guarantee that your standard spec PCBs will ship on time, or they are free.

Reputation and Experience of the Company

One of the first things that you should look for when choosing a manufacturer for your PCBs is how much experience they have in the field. Are they a new entrant into PCBs or do they have several decades in the field? While there might be some new companies offering quality products, they do not have the reputation of older companies. This also often means they will not have the same capabilities. They will not be able to get the materials they need at good prices. Those companies will not have dedicated manufacturing facilities, and it is unlikely that they will have a reliable process for quick turn PCBs. A good reputation and experience go a long way in this field, so do not overlook how important it can be.

The Standard and Custom Options

When it comes to the standard and custom PCB options that a company offers, you need to understand what they mean by those options. Some companies, for example, will not have true custom printed circuit boards, but will only offer standard options. Take the time to learn how many layers are available, whether they have a minimum number you will need to order, board thicknesses, copper weight, materials, and more. You have to be sure the company can provide you with the boards you need.

Customer Service

How the customers are treated is also important and something you will not want to overlook. Find a company that can guarantee their quality and their quick turn PCB time. Make sure that you have plenty of ways to contact the company if needed, and that the manufacturer offers free checks of your work before going into production. This helps to reduce the possibility of creating boards that are not going to work.

Overall Capabilities

What are the overall capabilities of the manufacturer? Will they be capable of providing you with just a prototype if needed? Will they be capable of offering short runs, as well as producing the PCBs you need on a massive scale? You have to think about what your needs are right now, and what they could be in the future when you are choosing a PCB manufacturing company. Take the time to learn more about the company’s certifications, such as whether they can offer military-grade PCBs. How many facilities do they operate?

Additionally, you will want to be certain that the PCBs are being made in facilities owned and operated by the company. Some manufacturers shunt their production off to other parties, which means you cannot always rely on the quality or the speed. Learn as much as possible about the company you are considering and then make up your mind whether you want to do business with them or not.

These are some of the most important things you will want to consider when you are choosing your PCB manufacturer. Always make sure that the company you choose can meet, and hopefully exceed, your needs.

Get in Touch with Advanced Circuits

If you are looking for a company that excels in all aspects of PCB manufacturing and customer service, Advanced Circuits is ready to provide you with what you need. We have decades of experience in the field and we have a range of quality services and features that help to make us a top choice in the field. We are the third-largest PCB manufacturing company in the United States, and we want to ensure our customers are always happy with the orders they place. Our experience, our size, and our dedication help to ensure that you can count on our quick turn PCBs.

Those who work in the field know this and they are well aware of how important circuit boards are, and they are always looking for ways that they can improve on their own designs. Below, you will find some tips that can help with printed circuit board design.

Use PCB Design Software

In the past, designing printed circuit boards was more time-consuming and difficult than it is today. Now, it is possible to find and use design software created for printed circuit board design. The software allows designers to construct the software in a virtual space. They can add and remove components as needed and then test them in the digital space to see whether they would work properly in the real world.

This gives designers the freedom they need to create new and interesting designs while allowing for testing to weed out the errors and problems from the board. The software can be a huge time saver and money saver for companies, and for individuals who might be making their own boards as an amateur or hobbyist.

Best of all in this day and age, you can find great software and you won’t have to spend a dime on it. PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits is fully-featured software that will make it easy for you to create the boards you need and to test them. Once you have created the boards and have the files you need, you can send them out to be manufactured.

Proper Spacing on the Board

Many times, new designers will try to pack as many components onto a PCB as possible. They may think that it will provide them with the best use of space, but that is rarely the case. Often, it simply means there will be more problems down the line when the board is tested. When components are too plentiful or too tightly spaced, it can cause issues with heat and with the wiring and soldering processes. Instead, it makes sense to have a printed circuit board design that is as clean as possible. By orienting similar components in the same direction, it can help with proper routing, for example.

Working with software, as mentioned above, is a good way to let you “see” the design first. You can also make sure it will work with your current spacing before committing to the design.

Consider the Trace Angles

The angle of the traces will be important, too. Many people create 90-degree traces, but this is not an ideal option. In fact, this could cause problems. Many boards designed by professionals will instead have 45-degree traces. This is something that you should strive for with your printed circuit board designs. The 45-degree traces help to relieve overcrowding as discussed above, and it can also help to improve the transfer speeds.

Be Aware of Heating Issues

Heat is often a problem for printed circuit boards. Designs need to account for proper heat dissipation, which can vary depending on the device type. You will want to examine any components that might be considered problematic from a heat perspective. You might also want to add thermal reliefs to the design as a means to help keep it somewhat cooler. Other elements in the device can help to keep the board cool, such as fans. However, you should do what you can on the board to reduce heat issues in the first place.

Choose a Quality Manufacturer Offering Great Materials

You should consider not just the initial printed circuit board design, but also what happens once you have a design that is complete. You need to have a reputable manufacturer create the boards for you. Regardless of whether you are only printing a few of the boards or you need thousands, make sure you choose a manufacturer that can deliver.

You should look for a company that uses high-quality materials and that has been in the field for years. Learn about the company’s reputation, the certifications it has, assembly services, and the overall capabilities.

Having a great design is essential, but if you do not also have a great manufacturer that can deliver on your design, it will not matter. Do not neglect the importance of a great manufacturing company for your printed circuit boards.

Once you believe you have found a good manufacturer, it is a good idea to order a prototype or a small batch. This ensures you are not spending a large amount of money on your first order, and allows you to test out the boards to ensure they are of sufficient quality. You do not want to make the mistake of ordering 10,000 PCBs from a company that you have never worked with or tested before. You need to know what you are getting before you commit.

Get in Touch with Advanced Circuits

Above are just some of the things that you will want to keep in mind when you are creating printed circuit board designs. When you work with Advanced Circuits, you will find that we can make many parts of the process much easier for you. We offer free high-quality PCB software to help with your designs and testing. We run engineering tests on the designs before manufacturing and will make you aware of any issues that might be present. Advanced Circuits offers excellent customer service and ensures that you are getting what you need, when you need it. Our quick turnaround time means you will get your boards quickly. Over the decades we have been in this field, we have strived to provide the best service possible for all of our customers, large and small.

While there are DIY PCB tinkerers and blogs about how to create your PCB, this process is messy, costly, and potentially hazardous. It’s much more reliable and simpler to go the professional route and to collaborate with a PCB manufacturer that can bring your design to life. With so many PCB manufacturers on the market, it can be challenging to pick the one best for your needs. Some PCB manufacturers work well for individual inventors and small businesses, while others are better suited for electrical engineers at large firms.

Whatever your reason for creating a PCB, these are the considerations you should keep in mind before selecting a PCB manufacturer. Making the best choice can save you time, money, and make sure that you don’t end up with a faulty product.

Scale Matters

The first question you’ll want to think through is the quantity of PCBs you anticipate ordering. If you’re a PCB hobbyist that enjoys building novelty electronics, you’ll want to look for PCB manufacturers that match you. Your best bet will be a PCB manufacturer with simple solutions, easy-to-use PCB design software, and tutorial videos. These tools will keep you from becoming overwhelmed and will help you build your knowledge base on PCB design. You’ll also want to see if the PCB manufacturer has minimum order policies. As an at-home PCB designer, you’ll probably only order one or two PCBs at a time, so you don’t want to use a company that will require a minimum purchase order.

On the other hand, if you run a business that needs to fulfill large orders with a PCB design, you’ll want to work with a company that can turn out big orders – and fast. Check with the company to see what their bulk pricing is like and ensure that they’re able to keep up with your demand.

Spend Wisely

As you design your PCB, it’s essential to keep in mind your budget. More extensive operations will want to have a Bill of Materials that outlines how many and what type of components are necessary for a project. This will give both you and the manufacturer an idea of the financial resources needed for completion.

You will also rack up a higher cost if you need a multilayer PCB. Sometimes, multilayer PCBs are necessary or advantageous for your purpose. For instance, a multilayer PCB will provide more surface area, which means you can add more components. More complex circuit boards will need multiple layers to accommodate additional components as you don’t want to overcrowd the PCB. Overcrowding can lead to overheating and potentially cause a short circuit.

Knowing the materials required and how many layers you’ll need for your PCB design will help you to run price comparisons between PCB manufacturers. Some PCB manufacturers, like Advanced Circuits, offer exclusive deals on their two- and four-layer PCBs, making high-powered technology possible at a cost-effective price.

Time Is Of the Essence

If you’re on a tight timeline for a project or just antsy to get your hands on a design, you’ll want to know how quickly a PCB manufacturer can deliver the goods. In general, more complex PCB designs will take longer to manufacture and deliver than stripped-down prototypes. Wait times can vary from company to company, with most landing around 3 to 14 days. Advanced Circuits, the 3rd largest PCB manufacturer in the U.S., provides a same-day turnaround option for certain orders so that you receive your PCB the next day.

Skip the Middleman

As you look around for PCB manufacturers, take note of whether they’re actually producers or, instead, brokers. Since the market is so vast, many PCB brokers have cropped up to help facilitate relationships between large firms and manufacturers. PCB brokers have a place in the world and are the most helpful for large companies that constantly need to revisit their vendors for competitive bids. It can also be useful if your company doesn’t know much about the PCB industry as they can help guide you through the process and track progress.

However, for individuals or labs that know their way around PCBs, it’s most cost-effective to work directly with a manufacturer. Working with a PCB manufacturer is the best way to have an open line of communication and establish a relationship. Rather than playing a game of telephone, you’ll be able to call up the PCB manufacturer’s tech support or check your PCB’s production timeline.

Reputation Is Everything

When you’ve spent so much time and effort on a PCB design, the last thing you want is shoddy production. There’s nothing worse than finally getting your PCB only to realize the holes weren’t drilled properly, or your PCB has the wrong dimensions. This is why you want to confirm how reputable a PCB manufacturer is before sending off your pet project. A good indicator of quality is if the manufacturer works with other large companies and organizations. For instance, Advanced Circuits is approved to manufacture Department of Defense contracts for the U.S. government. This demonstrates the level of quality and service that you can expect when trusting your PCB design with Advanced Circuits.

Don’t Settle For Less

While budget and time constraints are real, you don’t want to skimp out by not choosing a high-quality PCB manufacturer. Determine your purpose and keep in mind these considerations so that you can select the absolute best PCB manufacturer given your resources and needs. Splurging a bit more on manufacturing or taking the time to do research will save you the headache of a faulty PCB that will send you right back to the drawing board. Advanced Circuits is one of the premier, American-based PCB manufacturers that is ready to help you bring your design to life today.

To distribute electricity, PCBs are made with a series of copper wires (called traces) that connect components and allow electrons to flow. Understanding PCB fabrication is important, whether you’re teaching students the basics of electronic device operation or you’re designing the next hit Internet of Things device. In this guide, we’ll explore some of what you need to know about PCB fabrication.

Types of PCBs

Today, there are three types of PCBs manufactured. The PCB fabrication process is similar for each, although the more complex the board, the more complicated the fabrication process will be. The three types you’ll find today include the following:

• Single – Single-sided PCBs are the simplest of the lot and are made with an FR4 base and a rigid laminate made from woven glass epoxy. One side of the laminate is covered with copper, while the other side is left uncovered. The copper layer can be of varying thickness to suit the usage needs and design of the board.

• Double – Double-sided PCBs use the same epoxy as single-sided PCBs. The primary difference here is that both sides have copper added so that traces can be etched. Each side has the potential to either act as a separate circuit board, or to integrate with the other, creating a more compact form factor for what would be a larger board if it were only single-sided.

• Multi-Layer – Some PCBs have multiple layers. They begin with the same substrate material, but use copper foil instead of a copper coating. Foil and base material are interleaved to create a sandwich effect that allows multiple layers of functionality.

Of course, the PCB fabrication process is more complex than this. There are four primary parts to a PCB. These are the substrate, or base material, the copper layer (or foil), the solder mask, which protects the copper from damage during the soldering process, and silk-screening, which denotes part numbers, symbols, and other important information. Getting these four components into place is the purpose of PCB fabrication, and there are multiple steps involved.

Design

The first step is to design the PCB. Usually, you’ll use design software, such as PCB Artist, which is a free, full-feature tool that delivers powerful capabilities and ease of use. During this process, you lay out the board, indicate where components go, route traces, add capacitors, and more. However, this is all theoretical. No actual PCB fabrication occurs during this stage – it’s all about planning, prep, and basic testing for functionality.

The Design and Fabrication Process

With the design work out of the way, you now need to choose the bare PCB boards and create the traces. This process will remove unwanted/unneeded copper, leaving you with the characteristic thin lines to carry current from component to component. In most cases, a chemical etching process is used – ferric chloride is the most common etching agent, although there are other agents, and even other etching processes that may be used.

On top of the base material, copper is laid, either as a full layer, or as a foil. Over that, a film is placed. This film has a photograph/image of the completed circuit. The film is exposed to light to detail the traces and component mounting locations, creating what is called a photo-resist. This is then placed in a developer solution that removes any unneeded material.

The next step in the PCB fabrication process is to use ferric chloride to etch the area without copper. If the ferric chloride solution is too strong, or if the PCB is left in the solution for too long, damage may occur, so timing and proper solution mixing are both critical considerations.

Note that this is just one option when it comes to PCB fabrication. There are other methods that do not rely on ferric chloride at all. For instance, milling machines are able to remove copper from the areas where it is not needed without damaging the underlying board. Another option is to use inks that resist the etching solution rather than a film.

Drilling Holes/Vias

Numerous holes, or vias, must be drilled through the PCB during the fabrication process. These are used for a couple of different things. One is obvious – mounting components by their pins. However, another is to ensure that the individual layers of the board can be lined up. This is particularly important with multilayer PCBs.

Soldering and Silk-Screening

The final two steps of the PCB fabrication process are soldering and silk-screening. A soldering mask is put in place over the PCB to protect the copper from damage and to ensure that soldering is done accurately. Then, the board is flipped over and names, numbers, symbols, part identification information, and other text elements are silk-screened onto the board.

Decades of PCB Manufacturing Experience

In the end, PCB fabrication is a complex process. Accuracy and proper planning are essential from the very beginning. Whether you’re designing your first PCB ever or you’re hard at work on yet another prototype, it pays to have the right PCB design software, as well as the right manufacturing partner.

At Advanced Circuits, we have decades of experience working with clients ranging from individuals to international corporations. We can help with prototyping, design, testing and offer full PCB fabrication services with minimal lead time and highly flexible minimum order requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Not Using Quality Software for the Design

Even though you might have a great idea for your printed circuit board design, it is important to make sure that you are creating that design in quality software. Of course, finding the right software can sometimes be difficult. There are some free options on the market that do not have all of the features and options that you are going to want and need. Some have small component libraries. Other software products cost several thousand dollars. This is not money that everyone is able to spend.

To make things much easier and to be sure that you are using quality software, you can opt for PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits. We provide a robust piece of software that has more than half a million components. It is easy to use and it can provide checks for the circuit board to ensure it is working properly. One of the best features of the software is the fact that it is free of charge.

Not Prototyping the Printed Circuit Board

While it’s true that not everyone will need to have a prototype for the circuit boards they design, it is still a helpful option. You want to make sure that your PCB is functioning as intended before going through a full production run. It would be very expensive to have a large run of PCBs made that you will not be able to use. Prototyping and testing the board in a real-world environment before continuing with the PCB manufacturing process can be a great option just to be on the safe side.

Burnt Circuit Boards

In some cases, when the PCB manufacturing standards are not up to par, it is possible for the boards to become too hot, which can end up burning them. Having several or even just one burnt circuit board can set back your project. Sometimes, you might not even notice until it’s too late. If you are using them to manufacture products that you make it could mean sending out products that simply don’t work. Instead of relying on your own quality control to catch these issues, it’s better to work with a PCB manufacturing company that produces high-quality materials from the start.

Bad Quality Components

If you are not working with a great PCB manufacturing company like Advanced Circuits, you may not know exactly what you are getting in terms of the components. Sometimes companies will try to cut corners, and this will involve using low-quality components. This helps them to keep their costs down, but it certainly doesn’t do anything to help your PCB. Even though the printed circuit boards are supposed to be durable and robust, poor components will cause a problem as they will not last as long. Whether you are using the boards for a personal project, or you are using them for electronic devices that you are assembling and selling, you don’t want bad components. If you have units that keep failing because of this, your customers will lose faith in your products very quickly.

Bad PCB Manufacturing

Even if the components are high-quality, it will not make a difference if the PCB manufacturing and assembly processes have issues. Companies might want to rush so that they can get orders out the door. They are concerned with quantity over quality, and while customers might appreciate getting the boards early, they will not appreciate them if they are not working properly.

In some cases, the PCB manufacturing company will even outsource part of the work to other companies. You might not even realize that the work is being outsourced. Instead, it makes more sense to choose a company like Advanced Circuits. We have a large facility with tens of thousands of square feet, and we take care of everything in-house. We are able to get orders out very quickly. In fact, some orders that are placed with us can ship out the same day.

Choosing a Poor Quality Manufacturer

Those who are just starting to look at companies to provide them with PCB manufacturing may only be looking for the cheapest price or the fastest service. Many people make the mistake of choosing a company without doing the full research that is necessary. Doing this will end up causing them a number of problems throughout the process of getting those PCB boards designed and manufactured. Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this and avoid these various pitfalls.

How to Fix the Problems

We have detailed some of the common problems that people have had with printed circuit boards. Fortunately, there is a very easy way to make sure that these problems are not going to affect your designs or your PCB manufacturing. Rather than opting to work with a cheaper, low-quality PCB manufacturing company, choose to work with a trusted company like Advanced Circuits. We can help you make all of those other issues disappear at the same time.

Advanced Circuits has more than 25 years in the field of printed circuit boards. All of the work, including the manufacturing and assembly, can be done in-house in our facility. As mentioned, there is even easy to use software that will make the design of the circuit board much faster and easier. With the available testing, support, and the components and manufacturing prowess, it is an ideal way to make sure that all of the design and manufacturing needs go off without a problem.