A range of different materials can be used when manufacturing circuit boards. However, they are not all the same. Each material brings something different to the table in terms of performance, tolerances, durability, and more. An informed decision here will maximize performance and durability, reduce weight, and ensure that your design performs to expectations.

Board Types

Circuit boards come in a wide range of types and are classified by component location, stack-up, design, bendability, strength, and electrical functionality. Before choosing a material, make sure you know which classification your design falls into, as this will affect material choices and other decisions.

FR-4

FR-4 is a commonly used material in the design of circuit boards. It is actually made of fiberglass (technically a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate), which means it is relatively lightweight and affordable. For this reason, it is often used in lower-end consumer electronics. The letters FR indicate that this material is also flame retardant, which can be important in applications where heat dispersal is a consideration. It is also known for its high mechanical values, as well as its ability to insulate and perform well even in more humid conditions. However, it may not have the thickness, durability, or capacity for higher-end or higher-performance applications.

When to use it: use FR-4 material in products where cost is a consideration, but you want effective performance across a wide range of applications. Typically, you’ll find FR-4 used in substrate/laminate boards. We recommend it for standard circuit boards.

Rogers Material

The Rogers company also manufactures material for circuit boards. The company offers several options, but one they are best known for is PTFE (Teflon). Teflon costs more than FR-4, but it provides better performance for RF circuit boards because it has a lower signal loss rate. Other advantages include a wide range of dielectric constant values, improved management of heat, and better control over impedance. The trade-off is the higher cost, coupled with slightly more weight.

When to use it: use this material in applications where power management is important, as well as where RF, microwave, or high-performance functionality are necessary. Note that this is a good material for mobile use, too. Typically used in laminate boards, we recommend this option for high frequency, microwave, and high-power situations.

Metal

Metal is an option for the base of circuit boards. So-called “metal core” boards offer greater heft, but also provide better durability and strength. Most are made from aluminum, but alloys exist that can be used instead. Typically, these boards feature the metal base layer, a second layer of conductive dielectric material, and then the final layer of copper on the top. Metal core circuit boards are widely used in solid-state applications, and in use cases where ceramic substrates cannot be used.

When to use it: metal core circuit boards are well-suited for LED applications, but can also be used for other lighting applications, and they also play a role in automotive electronic design.

HDI

HDI, or high-density interconnector, is yet another option for circuit board design. The name says it all – this material offers a high line distribution density and is often used in situations where designers need to reduce weight and size without sacrificing electronic performance. HDI can make use of blind and buried vias, as well as microvias, vias in pad, and through vias from surface to surface.

When to use it: use HDI where density is a consideration, as well as when size and weight are serious concerns. Note that HDI also offers reduced heat transfer included stress.

High Tg

As the temperature of the circuit board and surrounding environment rises, the material of the board’s base layer actually shifts states. The higher the temperature at which the material can remain rigid, the better performing the material will be for board design. Of course, in low-temperature environments, this is not much of a concern. However, with high-temperature environments, the glass-transition temperature (Tg) is important. High Tg materials offer the temperature resistance required for these applications, and they are beginning to be more commonly used across industries.

When to use it: high Tg materials are all about heat control, so this material is well-suited for designs where stability at high temperatures is critically important. We recommend this material for high density needs.

A Note on Solder and Toxicity

Soldering circuit boards can expose you to lead-carrying fumes (lead is sometimes contained within solder). Since any circuit board will require soldering, always solder boards in a well-ventilated area, while wearing appropriate protective gear.

A Full Range of Capabilities for Circuit Boards

At Advanced Circuits, we offer an end-to-end service for your needs in designing and manufacturing circuit boards. From choosing the right material to determining the right number of layers to full PCB assembly, we offer fast turnarounds and affordable pricing. No order is too large or too small. All circuit boards are manufactured within one of our US-based locations, which allows us to manufacture circuit boards for virtually alllayout projects, including DOD contracts.

Layout and Design Help for Circuit Boards

We believe in giving our customers every advantage possible. We understand that designing circuit boards can be incredibly complex, time-consuming, and frustrating. To help ease that burden, we offer free access to PCB Artist — our intuitive, unrestricted PCB design software — to walk you through the entire design process. Create designs of up to 28 layers, import from Eagle, and access a library of over half a million parts all in one place.

You need to take your time to think about just what you need the board to do and the components that will be required. You also need to consider the benefits of having a prototyping board that you can use before you move on to manufacturing on a large scale. Even if you only plan to have a relatively small run of boards, using a prototyping board to ensure that everything is just right is essential.

Let’s look at some of the biggest benefits that a prototyping board can provide.

What Makes Using a Prototyping Board a Good Solution?

No matter how long you might have been designing PCBs, you know that there is always the risk of making a mistake during the design process. This is truer today than it was in the past because the PCBs have become so complex in recent years. Mistakes can do more than just be an embarrassing moment for a designer. They can cost a company a substantial amount of money. They can cause delays in manufacturing, damage to the electronics they are meant for, and more.

Prototyping boards is a way to reduce the risk of making these types of mistakes, whether they are large or small errors. Prototyping the board is made easier when you utilize quality software, such as PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits. This software is free and has a full range of features to make creating the board as simple as possible. There is a large component library, and it allows the designers to tweak the design until it is as perfect as it can be. They can then send it to Advanced Circuits for a free review from the engineers to see if there are any hidden issues.

Once they are satisfied that the board will work properly, they can then move on and order one or more physical boards. There is no minimum order through Advanced Circuits. This means that you can get just one or a handful of boards to test in real-life situations with the electronics. You can see if there might be hidden issues or if there are problems with overheating, speed, etc. After you are sure the board works well, you can move on from the prototyping board and order as many as you need.

While this might seem like it adds some steps to the process, consider the alternative. If you believe that you have a good board and order 4,000 PCBs for the electronic devices you plan to ship, what happens when they don’t work? What if they cause overheating issues? Your customers would be irate, naturally. Prototyping and testing help to reduce these types of expensive problems.

When you order through Advanced Circuits, you will also find that we have a very fast turnaround time. Whether you are placing a large order, or you just need one board, they can be delivered to you quickly. It’s the best solution. You will reduce issues and you could even reduce the manufacturing costs.

Why Choose Advanced Circuits?

We understand that you want to make sure that your boards are working properly and that you receive them quickly. Advanced Circuits is one of the top manufacturers in the country and we have a very fast turnaround time, regardless of how many boards you might be ordering. If you only want to order a couple of your initial boards as prototypes, so you can see how they work in practice, you can. You could even order just a single board if you would like, as there is no minimum.

Additionally, we utilize high-quality materials. You can rest easy knowing that only the best quality components will be going into the boards you design.

We Make It Easier with Great Software

Most circuit board designers today know that it is best to use software that can help to design the printed circuit board rather than trying to use a breadboard. However, that software can be hit or miss. Sometimes, it can be extremely expensive.

Fortunately, we have a solution that’s available for you, as mentioned. Best of all, you won’t have to pay anything for the fully-featured software. Our software, PCB Artist, has features that you won’t find even with some of the expensive options.

We have a large library that you can use for designing the prototype. It features more than half a million parts. With the software, you can create up to 28 layers, which should be more than enough for most designs. It utilizes Gerber format files, and it is easy for you to check your work to make sure the board is working properly.

It is an easy-to-use piece of software that can change the way you work, and it can even speed up the process. If you don’t have a powerful computer, you don’t have to worry. Even a relatively modest computer should not have any trouble running the software, and you only need half a gig of RAM. Most people who have even a passing familiarity with this type of software will be up and running in no time.

Prototyping Boards Make Your Life Easier

Ultimately, you want to prototype your boards to make the process as simple as possible. Advanced Circuits can help you with each step along the way. You have the idea, and then you can design it with our software. Our engineers can check the design and you can move forward with the manufacturing once you are certain the board is what you need. Whether you need to order a large number of the boards, or you only need a few for a special project you are doing, we make it nice and easy. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you.

Whether you’re an expert engineer or an at-home inventor, you’ve likely designed PCBs that fail due to a short circuit or burnt-out component. PCB designs are incredibly intricate, and you’re not alone in your trial and error. Circumvent some of these hard lessons by checking out these tips to optimize your PCB layout for a better performing PCB.

Research                                                                                                                   

Before you begin drawing up the plans for your next PCB, pause for a moment to consider why. Is your goal to improve an existing circuit board? Are you dreaming of an entirely innovative concept? Whichever your reason, make sure you know your end goal and research whether there are existing circuit board templates that you can use. This pre-work will save you a ton of time and keep you from reinventing the wheel if a solution already exists. You’ll also avoid repeating the mishaps of others when designing your PCB layout.

Create a Blueprint

Once you’re set on the outcome you’re hoping to achieve, it’s time to put your ideas into something tangible. Start with a hand-drawn sketch to map out your circuit board. This will allow you to see the flow and catch any errors before adding in the complication of technology. You can also have colleagues or other PCB hobbyists review your circuit board layout ideas for input before creating your virtual design.

Use a (Free) PCB Software

With your blueprint in hand, you’re ready to start designing the layout of your PCB. The best way to create a PCB layout is by using free PCB design software, like Advanced Circuit’s PCB Artist. PCB design software, like PCB Artist, will give you access to a components library with over 500,000 parts. It’s incredibly easy to search for a previously used component, add it, and rearrange as needed for your PCB layout. Never pay money to use PCB design software, as there are so many excellent free choices on the market.

This digital blueprint that you create using a PCB software is called a schematic. In your schematic, you’ll place your components, connectors, connections, and power sources. Eventually, this will become your PCB design that a manufacturer will use to create your PCB.

Most free PCB design software also comes with a design rule check so you can be confident that your PCB layout works and can be produced by the manufacturer of your choice.

Placement

The placement of your components during the schematics stage is incredibly critical to the viability of your PCB. Typically, you want to start by placing your most essential elements first, and then go from there with any flairs or add-ons. Keep in mind that you don’t want to overcrowd your PCB. Placing components and active elements too close together can result in high temperatures. Overheating your PCB can cause components to burn and, ultimately, lead to your PCB failing.

You’ll also want to check with the manufacturer, and during the design, rule check to see if there are placement restrictions. In general, you want to leave at least 100 mils of space between any component and the edge of your PCB. You also want to evenly space out your components and organize so that like-components are oriented the same direction, as possible.

Routing

As you plan and design your PCB’s layout, you’ll want to consider the different routing options and specifications. On a finished PCB, the routing is the copper traces that run along the green board and indicate the flow of electricity between the components. The general rule of thumb is to make the route distance between elements as short and direct as possible. You also want to make sure that you make your traces wide enough to handle the high temperatures in an electrical circuit. When in doubt about your PCB overheating, you can always add in via, or holes, to channel electricity to the other side of the PCB.

Layers

Thanks to advances in our scientific understanding of electricity and circuits, we can now easily manufacture PCBs with multiple layers. The more layers you have on a PCB layout, the more complex your circuit will be. Extra layers allow you to add in more components and tends to have higher connectivity.

Multilayer PCBs appear in more sophisticated electrical devices, but if you find your PCB layout is becoming overcrowded, this could be an excellent way to problem-solve. Multilayer PCB designs do come with higher costs, but Advanced Circuits offers excellent deals on two and four-layer PCB fabrication.

PCB Manufacturer

You’ve put in the hard work and effort to design your PCB, so make sure you select a manufacturer that can bring your plan to life. Different PCB manufacturers use different fabrication processes and use varying qualities of components. It would be a shame to have an incredible PCB layout, only to receive a low-quality product with a lousy soldering job or faulty components. Choosing a manufacturer that uses surface mounting technology is your best bet for a PCB that precisely represents your PCB layout. This fabrication method is mostly automated and reduces the risk of human error when creating your physical PCB.

Create a Prototype

Even if you’re 100% confident in your PCB, it’s always a good idea to order a prototype. Even experts know that you’ll likely want to make tweaks to your PCB design once you see how your prototype performs in its given application. After testing out your prototype, you can go back to the drawing board and update your PCB layout for optimal output.

Advanced Circuits Can Help

Advanced Circuits is the third largest PCB manufacturer in the U.S. Their company has you covered from beginning to end in your PCB layout process. You can utilize their free PCB design software and file check to ensure your layout is bug-free and ready to go. Advanced Circuits has an incredibly accurate fabrication process that will ensure your PCB is delivered precisely as you designed it.

There are many tools and resources used in the PCB layout, design, and manufacturing processes, and this leaves a lot of room for error and waste. One small glitch and production delays may occur, or entire batches of PCBs end up tossed into the trash. Thus, it is best to start with the best design and layout, and this is where software and experts can save the day.

Advanced Circuits offers an astonishing range of PCB layout and design tools that can almost guarantee a simple and flawless process. It all starts with the right file types…

Gerber Files and PCB Layout

IX274X files (typically called Gerber files) are the most commonly used for PCB layout and design. They are what we might call the first step in production and are often described as digital or physical blueprints for the printed circuit boards to be manufactured.

Typically, designers or engineers would print layers of transparent films or overlays that were color-coded to show the PCB layout and to support design evaluations. In other words, the layers could be looked at individually or all at once to detect glitches or shortcomings.

The creation of PCB layout software and programs gave designers and manufacturers the ability to eliminate the printed films and to begin to adjust the layers with greater ease. Though they might still be described as blueprints, Gerber files may still have design or function flaws.

Even if an expert uses the best PCB layout tools, there could be problems in the file, and it could cause a production delay or result in a batch of useless PCBs. This is particularly true if the PCBs are being made by a no-touch resource or outsourced producer. For instance, the overall appearance of a Gerber file or PCB layout may look acceptable to the untrained eye. A subcontracted producer may not even review the files but simply use them to make the entire batch of PCBs without any troubleshooting or evaluation. This can easily result in a long list of problems if there is a flaw in the design, including scheduling, production, and financial issues.

Use Optimal PCB Layout and Design Tools

This is why it is so valuable to find producers of PCBs able to offer services and resources that avoid such issues. For example, a tool that can evaluate a Gerber file and detect or even correct errors can be a lifesaver. At Advanced Circuits, clients can count on tools meant to ensure that PCB layout and design are exactly as needed, even correcting some errors, generating reports, and offering discounts along the way.

Here are a few of the tools Advanced Circuits offers to clients.

Free PCB Design Software and Analytics: As one of the most trusted domestic producers of PCBs and prototypes, Advanced Circuits provides full design to shipping services. There are also full assembly services that can all be put to use to ensure clients avoid costly errors. Using free design and evaluative tools, customers (whether using Gerber files or another design program) can export design files into the company’s free PCB file check software known as FreeDFM. They then receive a comprehensive analysis of the layout and design.

Then, the free software quickly evaluates and repairs problematic issues in the PCB layout and design files and generates a report of any questionable issues left uncorrected. Labeling them as problems, it ensures that a customer cannot waste time or resources on flawed or unusable batches of PCBs. And even more exciting is that those who run the Gerber files before submission enjoy a discount on the project.

PCB Artist: This unrestricted version of the leading PCB layout and design software is provided to all clients. It can be used to design PCBs of up to 28 layers and features a library of more than 500k common parts and components. This is in addition to the troubleshooting software and comes with such functions as controlled auto-routing design tools, digital schematics, and much more. It helps reduce risks of a flawed layout or design, and the files from this are also capable of the same evaluation and analysis.

Common PCB Layout and Design Issues

 What types of problems will the software evaluate and/or correct? The most common include:

Empty files: Designers frequently move, erase, or negate data, and this inserts zero data files into the process, which runs the risk of causing issues in the design and fabrication process.

Missing data: While an empty file is bad enough, a file with incomplete data is worse. Using free PCB layout software and checking services indicates when data cannot align with job specifications or when information is mismatched. Gerber files must not be without key data, so any opportunity to eliminate problems of this kind will save a lot of time, money, and headaches

Flawed file name: It is not at all unusual for Gerber files to be created via a flawed naming protocol. This causes confusion within the process and can only be detected by file checking or troubleshooting ahead of the game.

Conflicting layers: Gerber files feature design specifications at every layer. The designer must ensure that the specs function synchronously, or there will be errors at every subsequent layer.

There is no real reason for any glitches to occur in the layout and design processes, but there are many reasons for such mistakes to occur at other times. Accessing free resources like those from Advanced Circuits erases almost all risks and helps customers to ensure that their layout, design, fabrication, and manufacturing processes are moving smoothly and result in the PCBs needed for production.

A Compact Solution

A printed circuit board can contain a number of parts and elements. Because they utilize copper tracks rather than actual wires, it allows for the same types of results without using current-carrying wires. The boards are smaller and they are not as bulky. This is one of the reasons that so many different types of electronic devices are smaller than they were in the past. The PCBs have helped to push technology forward in a number of different ways. It’s now possible to have highly complicated circuits in very small packages.

Saving Time and Energy

One of the best benefits of using printed circuit boards is the amount of time that can be saved. Connecting components traditionally takes a lot of time, whereas the circuit board will take far less time to assemble once the design is complete. The design phase is often what takes the most amount of time with printed circuit boards, but even this can be reduced when using the right type of software for its creation. Advanced Circuits actually provides customers with a free piece of software called PCB Artist. It is easy and intuitive to use and it provides a relatively simple way to design and test the printed circuit board before moving on to the rest of the process.

No Loose Connections

The connections in the printed circuit board are made through the copy tracks, and as long as they have been manufactured properly, you are not going to have to deal with short circuits or loose connections. Compare this to other methods using actual wires, which could become loose when the board moved. In some cases, the wire itself might have a connection problem. This can all be difficult to trace and to locate the source of the actual problem. With printed circuit boards, these types of issues are nonexistent. If there are problems with the board, it tends to be easy to diagnose and to repair.

A Reliable Option

It’s no accident that so many companies and individuals today are making use of printed circuit boards. They are a reliable solution that can work for a wide range of uses and products both large and small. They can last a long time when they have been made properly, which will give people more confidence with the electronics they are using. This is true whether that device might be a phone, a computer, or a military-grade piece of equipment that is used in a less than forgiving environment.

Low Costs

Of course, when it comes to creating and manufacturing various types of electrical goods, the cost is very important. Fortunately, once the circuit board has been designed and tested to ensure that it is working properly, mass production is very affordable. There are fewer components being used in most cases, which helps to reduce the cost to an affordable level for most companies.

Importance of a Good Manufacturer

Something that can’t be stressed enough is just how important it will be to make sure that you are working with a good manufacturer throughout the production process. You don’t want to simply look for the cheapest option available because you can never be fully sure of whether they are putting in the effort on their part to ensure that the printed circuit boards are working properly at the start of manufacturing. Some companies will use lower-quality parts for the assembly, or they might even outsource their assembly to a company that you have never heard of before.

It is important to choose a company that is able to provide high-quality boards and that has the attention to detail needed to get them right the first time. You want to choose a quality printed circuit board manufacturer that cares about the quality of your boards as much as you care. Advanced Circuits has a wealth of benefits that help to make it a top choice whether you need a prototype, a handful of boards, or you need a large number of printed circuit boards.

What Do We Offer?

When it comes time to printed circuit boards, Advanced Circuits provides a multitude of options and advantages. Our company has been in the field for more than 25 years and we are the third-largest printed circuit board manufacturer in the United States. Advanced Circuits is highly reliable and can provide all of the manufacturing and assembly right at our facility. We do not outsource any portion of the manufacturing process. We are not a broker, which means that not only are we able to take care of the manufacturing at the facility, but it also means that we can ship out very quickly. In fact, it is sometimes possible to have orders shipped out on the same day that they are placed.

Advanced Circuits has around the clock tech support available, and customers can receive instant quotes on orders and reorders. There are no tooling charges for standard specs, and the tooling charges will be waived for those who reorder the same standard spec order as a custom order.

One of the other benefits is the free PCB Artist software we offer. This software and the free file review help you to ensure that you have created the board properly before moving onto printing them. The software is filled with features and has more than even options that cost thousands of dollars.

Printed circuit boards have a number of benefits, and it is now easier than ever to get exactly what you need. Let Advanced Circuits help.

No Touch PCB Manufacturing Leads to Disaster

The modern world has made a sudden and rather massive shift into the online, mobile, and web-based model. As an example, in the past, PCB manufacturing meant a company would usually pay a visit to a PCB manufacturing facility or headquarters to work directly with the team designing or making such crucial components. The fabricators and the client would have to interact several times in order to guarantee that there were no design flaws and that the entire project (from prototype to batch manufacturing) proceeded exactly as expected.

Today, this is a far outdated system and for many companies in need of small to large batch PCB manufacturing, the process involves overseas and no-touch providers. If domestic, it might still mean very little interaction and the guarantees that such exchanges bring. It might even be that the PCB manufacturing and assembly are done in different locations or by different providers.

This can prove quite problematic because it might mean that client expectations are left unmet or even unknown by the manufacturer. It can mean that errors in design go unnoticed until the post-production period when the PCB is meant to be put to use in the final product, but fails to yield the results necessary. And this would mean that the batch of PCBs is unusable; production would be halted, and budget and resources wasted.

Fortunately, the team at Advanced Circuits has created a system and perfected it over the course of more than twenty years. Offering PCB manufacturing – fabrication and assembly, prototypes, and more, we can facilitate projects from start to finish while overcoming many of the potentially harmful issues outlined above.

Free Resources Ensure Fail-Proof PCB Manufacturing

Advanced Circuits proves that the advent of technologies that make everything possible through the Internet instead of real-world exchanges may not be a bad thing. We manage this by using a system of free and effective resources that enable clients to get the very best in PCB manufacturing outcomes, and all done entirely online. Here’s how:

• PCB Artist Software – Free to download and use in its unrestricted format, this industry-best software has more features than anything else on the market, and yet it is also provided in an unrestricted format with more than 500k parts and components in the customized library. Using it also means that some preliminary glitches are erased and that design is streamlined through the presence of a controlled auto router function, digital schematics, and more. Additionally, the use of the software allows clients to enjoy discounted pricing when submitting as a Standard Spec order through the program.
• File Review Software – Our FreeDFM software is another free to use resource that takes the common Gerber file (exported from the client’s software and then uploaded to the site), where it then evaluates a design and ensures that all essential data is included, adjusts or corrects design flaws, and issues a report that itemizes any potential showstopper errors, and identifies what the software was able to address and fix.
• CAM Engineer Review – Before any PCB begins the production process, the designs and/or prototype are reviewed in house by a team of Advanced Circuits’ CAM experts. Advanced Circuits also features live tech support provided by these same CAM engineers at any hour of the day or night, which allows clients to pose any questions or concerns and get a skillful and well-informed answer.
• Through software ordering – When a client has decided that the design is entirely free of errors and that it is ready for entry into the full production cycle, the free software allows them to go right ahead and make that order. When it is submitted in Standard Specifications it also enjoys no added tooling fees, and if it is a Custom Specifications order that has already been produced and enters as Standard Specifications, that same tooling fee deduction is applied.

Regardless of the size of a company or the complexity of a project, the cost of producing PCBs can be surprising. Investing in the necessary software and technologies, having the right teams to understand what is needed, and then seeing the production process completed properly can all add up. After all, even the simplest boards must work their way through key phases that include:

• Design – Is there a team to manage design? What sort of software is in use and what are the costs associated with it? Is there a dedicated team meant to evaluate the blueprints to detect errors? What costs are associated with the prototype? How fast can it be completed?
• Evaluation – Whether designs are printed on films or digitally, someone must troubleshoot them. Is this an outsourced step? Is it something that the manufacturer is counted on to provide? Has this been integrated into the production plan?
• Production – Is this going to occur in one facility with all of the substrate creation, layer building, UV hardening, copper removal, laminating, pressing, drilling, imaging, etching, soldering, and inspecting done by a solid team?

Avoid Costly Errors – Trust Advanced Circuits for a Premium PCB Production Experience

There are too many points in the PCB manufacturing process where disaster might occur, and it makes sense to avoid any potential risks by working with a one-stop shop. This is precisely what the team at Advanced Circuits delivers. Providing the tools required from start (including high end design software) to finish, our team can deliver. No minimum orders and professional reviews guarantee that modern innovations don’t get in the way of a premium production experience and outcome.

This is also why the same-day turnaround times that a firm like Advanced Circuits offers seem too good to be true, even though they are not.

One-Stop Printed Circuit Boards Shop

With more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry, we are one of the largest and few one-stop solutions for those in need of premium circuit boards and prototypes. With tens of thousands of square feet of production space, we offer clients an in-house PCB assembly system from start to finish.

Our capabilities include:

• One day PCB – We are one of the few PCB makers that can manufacture and assemble circuit boards and ship them out in as little as a single day
• Full support – Unlike many other manufacturers, our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and walk all clients through to the final production and assembly phases.
• Quality – While many in the PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ array of design resources, they also appreciate the inspection process that begins with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
• Clear pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other hidden, but ultimately unnecessary charges.

Keep in mind that we are also a chosen maker of circuit boards because of our one-stop system. This ensures a totally seamless process that occurs under a single roof and remains consistently in the hands of our designers and engineers. Without any outside vendors and with the option for production and assembly in a single space, there will be fewer risks of delays, problems, and errors.

Beyond In-house Production and Assembly of Circuit Boards

While the convenience and speed that comes with in-house production and assembly of printed circuit boards cannot be overlooked; the capabilities that Advanced Circuits makes available ensure a much more substantial list of benefits can be enjoyed.

For one thing, we impose no minimum orders, making us an ideal solution for small to midsized firms in addition to larger manufacturers. We also make design, even for the novice teams, remarkably foolproof. We do this through:

• CAM engineer evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers long before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
• Free design software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, but the Advanced Circuits proprietary and exclusive PCB Artist software is available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It is a free download to a client’s desktop (Windows only at this time) and is capable of up to 28 layers in a single design. The program has over 500k parts from which to choose, integrates a controlled auto-router function to speed up design processes, and offers multi-page schematics for more complex projects. With a complete library of tutorials to train those using the program, there is no reason not to take advantage of it (and the discounts given to clients who opt for the use of our free software).
• Free evaluation software – For those already using a CAM program of their own, the option for FreeDFM allows the manufacturing quality of a design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and loaded to the online software. This will review the entire file, correct any glitches and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems.
• Customers get tech support – And while it is great to have customer support around the clock, few PCB firms will offer their clients an opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer. However, Advanced Circuits does have experts of this kind available 24 hours a day.
• Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the Advanced Circuits’ website, they also have the choice of ordering through it at the same time. They still get that CAM engineer review and the crucial checks for errors, but they can use the software to make the order, too. And when they do, they receive a discount code as an incentive.

We live in a world of outsourcing everything. It is no longer just customer service and other phone service options that are sent overseas. This can make for a lot of difficulties in the design process. Even when there are online solutions that make uploading your proprietary files easier than ever; the danger for grave mistakes presents too many risks involving time, money and reputation. That’s why so many companies choose Advanced Circuits for their PCB manufacturing and assembly.

When you work with Advanced Circuits, you get the kinds of hands-on interaction and attention that the modern world is so short on. Rather than the distinctly “no-touch” approach used by a lot of fabricators (who want to receive your pre-tested files and get to work), we are a distinctly hands-on service. We run the printed circuit boards through rigorous examinations before any part of production begins. Since we are not a broker but are instead that one-stop solution making everything in-house, it is assured that we do all we can to prevent problems.

We have quick turns services specialists with some of the fastest turnaround times and shipping. In fact, we have the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!

When you want a flawless design process full of support and even corrections and adjustments that guarantee success, depend on the Advanced Circuits team to produce and deliver your order.

As one of the largest PCB manufacturers in the industry, ensuring accuracy and a seamless transition from design to manufacturing is top priority; so, we created PCB Artist, the best free PCB layout software with a library of over 500,000 components library and packed with professional-grade features and capabilities.

Compare Other PCB Layout Software with PCB Artist

Advanced Circuits’ PCB Artist software is no match for the free PCB layout software packages available today, but how does it compare with the more expensive software packages?  PCB Artist’s long list of features, advanced PCB design capabilities, and dedicated Live Technical Support make it the right choice for most designers and teams with features that include Controlled Autorouter, Multi-page Schematics, Native Eagle Import, built-in quoting and ordering, and much more.

One Advanced Circuits’ customer says, “I am so thrilled that my prototype boards were inexpensive, they came back working the first time, and I didn’t have to fuss with figuring out how to get all the right design files together in the right format. For my next prototype, I’m going to start in PCB Artist first.” This testimonial highlights the seamless integration PCB Artist offers for transferring design files directly to Advanced Circuits for fabrication with its easy-to-learn user interface.

With PCB Artist layout software, you simply get more flexibility to create without being restricted by “locked” features, subscriptions or any kind, or Paywalls. See how Advanced Circuits’ PCB layout software compares to its competitors in the features chart below:

Free PCB Layout Software Capabilities

To download the latest and full software version of PCB Artist, click here. For more information about Advanced Circuits’ PCB Artist features, tutorials, and tips & tricks, visit our PCB Artist Resources page.

Download the best free PCB design software with a library of over 500,000 parts.  Click here»

Printed circuit board (PCB) layout software is a critical tool in the designer’s toolbox. With functionality provided by sophisticated software, board designers can make quick work of designing basic schematics and prototypes, especially when templates already exist that can be reused for new projects.

Developing more complex circuits such as multi-layer and high-density-interconnected (HDI) boards can be accomplished with a much higher level of success and reliability when using layout software designed specifically for that purpose.

PCB layout can be completed with a much lower propensity for errors in the final board design through the use of layout software, saving design costs and improving manufacturing turn-around.

Selecting PCB Layout Software – Considerations

Cost is often a major consideration when considering the acquisition of any software package. Fortunately for electronic layout engineers, there are a variety of options available for free PCB layout software – but not all are the same. The issue then is to determine which software option most fits your needs, and evaluation of functionality and other factors such as ease-of-use.

Factors that should influence the layout software selection:

Price – free is obviously a great price, but this may be a perfect example of “you get what you pay for” with some software available online. Investigate functionality thoroughly and check reviews of the system by current users. Evaluate criticisms to determine if they apply to your circumstances or needs.

Ease of use – this is highly technical software, but it should include easily-used graphical interfaces and adhere to engineering standards for component selection and names, placement methods that include automatic placement, and drag-and-drop methods.

Productivity enhancements – a good free PCB layout software gives the designer a head start on any design project. Saving and reusing prior designs as a base can increase individual productivity as well as that of other design teams, through sharing of templates and successful projects.

Difficult designs can also be shared during development for collaboration among designers. Version control or change tracking is also a valuable function to be considered in the selection process.

Support – even free software should have a reasonable level of support available when you need it. If you need training in the use of the software, is it available online or even in-house? When a designer gets stuck with a function or encounters a software issue, is there a support technician readily available? Integrated help functions are also key attributes for getting up-to-speed with new software.

Functionality – if a free software is the stripped-down version of the vendor’s full software offering (available with a significant price tag), it is likely you will need to upgrade at some point. If that’s part of the design plan, it could be an acceptable option. Otherwise, looking elsewhere may be a better option.

Document creation – designers will usually require printed drawings of designs and schematics. Lack of this functionality may be reason enough to eliminate a potential product. Additional reporting tools should include a component list for the design, in a report or file format.

Standard content and output – effective use of layout design software requires a considerable selection of components to be included in layouts. As new components enter the market they should be added to the product offering. Completion of designs should generate files ready for the manufacturer (such as Gerber files).

Updates – rapidly-evolving technology in PCB development means that software must keep up with the demands of both designers and manufacturers. Verify that any programs being considered are enhanced regularly to provide future capabilities.

Add-ons – some free PCB layout software may require purchases for certain components that are requirements for many design businesses. It pays to understand the terms and conditions of those options in advance. All “free” software may not be so free, once additional options are added.

Making the Free PCB Layout Software Selection

The primary reason for selecting PCB layout software lies in functionality. Where some offerings are indeed pared-down versions of the vendor’s more robust and costly bundle, there are also knowledgeable providers of full-function free layout software.

Some layout software is made available from PCB manufacturing companies, ensuring that resulting designs will match the requirements of their fabrication processes. In many instances this can be to the benefit of the designer by reducing the all-too-familiar process of back and forth communication between designer and manufacturer.

By implementing free manufacturer-supplied software, PCB layout designers improve the likelihood that designs will get to the fabricator with fewer errors and in a format totally acceptable to the vendor. Designers are often up against immovable deadlines, cost constraints, and demand for reductions in turnaround. PCB layout software can make each of those more attainable, and the price – free – is right.