The process of PCB fabrication is impressive, and even those familiar with PCB design might not know all the ins and outs of how PCBs are made. Learn more about the different PCB fabrication techniques that make your design go from the virtual image on your computer screen to the tangible, green board in your toaster.

The Basics

Before diving into PCB fabrication, it’s important to know what makes up a PCB. Often, people will describe PCBs as a layered cake. The most basic PCB designs have four layers: the substrate (base), copper, solder mask, and silkscreen. These layers all work together and must be in total alignment for the final product to work.

Once you’ve designed a PCB and sent your PCB design off to the manufacturer, what will they do with it? For starters, they use your PCB design as the blueprint for the entire process.

Through-Hole Method

One of the earliest forms of PCB fabrication was the through-hole method. This tried-and-true method is quickly being replaced by a more modern PCB fabrication, known as surface mount technology (SMT). While each has its advantages and disadvantages, SMT PCB manufacturers seem to be able to produce smaller and cheaper PCB boards.

We’ll take a look at the intricate work that goes into a through-hole PCB design first. The most significant difference of the through-hole method is that manufacturers drill a hole into the board so that factory workers can double-check that each layer is aligned before moving onto the next step. With the through-hole method, manufacturers will print your PCB design onto special laminate paper. The manufacturers can attach a thin sheet of copper once the design is captured onto this special paper. This will be the basis of your substrate, or the base of the PCB.

Creating Layers

The next step is to start working on the copper that will form the layers of your PCB. This process is a bit similar to how photographs are developed – to the point that at-home PCB makers will use the same processing chemicals. Essentially, the special laminate paper is covered with photo-reactive chemicals, and when a UV light passes over it, it hardens the desired areas. This shows manufacturers which parts, based on your design, should be kept for the final PCB board and which bits of copper should be chipped away.

When the chemicals dry and harden, the board is washed in an alkaline solution and is ready to be inspected. If the board is good to go, a technician uses a powerful chemical to remove unnecessary copper, leaving behind only the copper needed per your PCB design.

Next, the copper layers are laminated together. Technicians must keep a keen eye for detail and always watch that each layer is perfectly aligned with the last. The result is a beautiful, half-finished board.

Factories can use an x-ray machine to uncover where the holes are meant to be drilled and then use a high-powered drill for precise execution. The board is finally plated, and the layers are fused with a series of chemicals. There is one last etching that occurs before the solder mask is attached. This etching ensures that your PCB has the right connections to make your creation function.

Surface Mount Technology

Surface mount technology (SMT) has become more commonplace in the PCB fabrication process because it allows for easier mass production. With an SMT outfit, the PCB fabrication process is more automated and thus less prone to human error. SMT-designed PCBs also do not have the same hole that is prominent in the through-hole method. Here’s a brief glimpse into how these PCBs are produced.

Simple As a Stencil

By using high-powered computers and technology, machinery takes your PCB design and creates a stencil. The stencil contains all the information the automated process will need to finish up your design. The stencil also allows machines to trace solder paste onto the board only in the designated areas.

The board is now ready to run through a pick-and-place machine, which takes the guesswork and error out of the PCB design process. The pick and place machine holds various components in their reels and reads the solder paste to place the proper components onto the board as directed by the PCB’s design. The solder paste will also hold everything in place so that components cannot be knocked off-kilter, thus resulting in a faulty product.

Once this process finishes, the PCB is heated and melts the soldering paste so that the layers meld together. The PCB is then ready for a clean-up, to ensure there is no residual solder paste on the board. At last, the board will receive an inspection of any potential defects.

Advantages of Surface Mount Technology

As you can see, SMT is a much more straightforward and more automated process. Its simplicity is what makes it best for the mass production of PCBs. Once a stencil is created for a design, you can print countless boards. Since the process relies on computers and machines rather than technicians, it’s also less vulnerable to human error. If there’s a mistake with a PCB board, it’s likely because the pick and place machine needs some reconfiguration.

Another big advantage of SMT fabrication is that they tend to allow for higher density component placement while still maintaining smaller boards. Since the board is smaller, the connections have a shorter distance to travel for better power.

The most significant disadvantage of the stencil-based process is that it makes it more challenging to produce prototypes quickly. This system works best if the same stencil is being used repeatedly, rather than creating one stencil that will change.

However, given the automation of the SMT process, it’s no wonder that the SMT fabrication method has gained greater momentum in the PCB world than the through-hole. Whichever route you go, make sure you’re aware of the PCB fabrication process that your manufacturer uses. In today’s world of making everything faster and smaller, you’ll want to make a decision that gives you the best return on investment.

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.

Before Sending

Before you send your design to the PCB manufacturer, there are a few things that you should do. Remember – this is your final chance to make sure that your board design lives up to your expectations. To that end, make sure that you:

• Print Out the Layout: Physically print the board design on paper and make sure that everything fits. If there is even a small amount out of tolerance, it’s time to address that.

• Check for Functionality: Make sure that your components are all in place, that your traces are properly sized, that you have no 90-degree angles (to avoid partial etching and the resulting shorts), and more. As much as you can, check functionality and placement one last time before sending the design out.

• Double Check Tolerances: Verify with your PCB manufacturer what their tolerances are and then ensure that your design meets those requirements. In most cases, you can simply build those tolerances into your design with your PCB software, such as our free PCB Artist software. Just run a quick manufacturability check based on those tolerances and you should be alerted to any issues, which can then be rectified.

• Double Check the Space Requirements: When adding components to your PCB, make sure that you leave enough space between them. You need to account for traces, but also to help alleviate heat buildup, to reduce resistance, and more. Don’t forget that you will also need to leave room for things like buttons and other components that are not part of the PCB layout, too. Accurate size estimation from the beginning stages is essential to success.

Know the PCB Manufacturing Process

It is important to understand the process followed by the PCB manufacturer once you send your design to them. After design, which is the part you handle, the next step is printing. The PCB manufacturer will check your design to ensure that it meets design tolerances. Note that this check does not necessarily mean that your board works to your expectations – most DFM checks are strictly to ensure that the board fulfills the tolerances necessary for manufacturing. (When you work with Advanced Circuits you can take advantage of our FreeDFM tool, to ensure your design is free of manufacturability issues.)

A plotter printer will then be used to print the PCB. This type of printer uses a transparent film to create a negative image of the board. Black and clear ink are used to represent traces and circuits, as well as non-conductive areas of the board (clear ink). With outer board layers, the colors are reversed, with black indicating non-conductive parts and clear ink used for components. A soldering mask is added, and then a registration hole is punched through the film to help align each one into the appropriate layer.

Next up, the manufacturer prints the copper layer for the board’s interior layers, then unnecessary copper is removed. Finally, the entire thing is sandwiched together into a single board and inspected, the layers are laminated, drilling takes place, and plating occurs. A final etching then occurs, followed by the application of the solder mask, silk-screening, and a final reliability test.

Of course, it helps if you have chosen the right PCB manufacturer in the first place. What should you consider when choosing one?

Choosing a PCB Manufacturer

You’ll find many important considerations when choosing a PCB manufacturer. There are numerous fabricators available, but they are by no means created equal. Some are budget-oriented options, while others are geared for working with major tech companies. Here are a few of the more critical considerations to make before choosing a partner:

• Lead Time: Some PCB manufacturers have very long lead times. Make sure you know the lead time requirements of any you are considering working with, as this will have a huge impact on your overall project.

• File Type: Make sure that the PCB manufacturer that you choose accepts the file type(s) that you want to send. Some of the more common types used today include KiCad, Gerber, and EAGLE.

• Minimum Time to Shipment: In addition to lead time, you’ll need to think about the company’s minimum time to shipment. Basically, this is a specified period that occurs before your order can be shipped. Some companies have very low requirements, but others have lengthy periods that may be a week or more.

• Order Quantity: How many boards do you need to print? Are you interested in one or two prototypes for testing? Do you need a full production run? Make sure that the PCB manufacturer you choose is able to meet your quantity requirements. Some companies will only print larger quantities, while others are more flexible.

• Software Availability: Ideally, you’ll work with a PCB manufacturer that makes design software available to you. At Advanced Circuits, we offer one of the most robust design tools in the industry – PCB Artist – free of charge. It can handle all of your design needs and seamlessly export the design when you’re ready to print.

Our Position as an Industry Leader

Ultimately, the right PCB manufacturer will help you bring your designs to life. Make sure that you check their reputation, the quality of their manufacturing process, their lead time and minimum time to shipment, minimum order quantity, and whether they offer access to free design software or not. At Advanced Circuits, we’re proud of our position as an industry leader, as well as our ability to offer our customers the flexibility they need. Whether you’re printing off a handful of prototypes, or you’re ready to go to market with a full production run, we can help.

Yet, turnaround times, costs, and one-off capabilities have not been available to the average designer…at least, not until now. While the professional level fabrication of circuit boards doesn’t involve the prototyping board but instead takes many steps (design, DFM checks, film creation, mapping of copper paths, and all of the way to V-scoring and testing, among other steps), it can now be done on the same day!

Advanced Circuits has turned PCB design and manufacturing on its head, and has made the classic prototyping board look as out of date as the Model-A Ford does to the Tesla.

A One-Day and One-Stop PCB Opportunity

With more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry, Advanced Circuits has real-time capabilities that ensure anyone eager to make a single board or conduct an experiment prior to marketing a design or concept can do so quickly and flawlessly. We have thousands of square feet of production space, we offer clients an in-house PCB assembly system from start to finish, and we can also provide:

• 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 – including items that would once have required someone working in a lab using their outdated prototyping board.
• Quality – Most in the modern PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ design resources, the company’s inspection process that begins with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, and the services that include visual inspections of the final circuit boards.
• Clear pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other charges.
• Comprehensive support – Our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design uploads and then work with an order of any size (one to one thousand, or more PCBs) to final production and assembly phases.

We are an authentic “one-stop” and often “one-day” shop, with a completely seamless process under a single roof. Whether it is a single board or an array of options, everything remains in the hands of the company’s designers and engineers. Don’t worry about outside vendors looking at a concept or messing up a design, and also don’t worry about delays, problems, and errors. Advanced Circuits’ in-house production and assembly make these risks a non-issue.

Amazing Resources Well Beyond Replacing Prototyping Boards

It is great to toss that prototyping board, but there are even greater benefits for clients of Advanced Circuits. As noted, we impose no minimum orders, making us an ideal solution for  small to mid-sized producers or designers. We make design nearly foolproof thanks to our  “eyes at all times” approach, and our remarkable resources for clients to use free of charge. We include:

• Free Design Software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, but the Advanced Circuits PCB Artist software is available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It is a free download (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 either free software). It makes the use of that prototyping board unnecessary.
• Free Evaluation Software – For those already using a CAM program of ours, use of FreeDFM allows any design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and the entire file will be reviewed. The software can correct any glitches and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems. Troubleshooting the flawed prototyping board is now a permanent relic of the past.
• CAM Engineer Evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
• Clients always have access to tech support – Our around the clock customer support includes the help of a CAM engineer, and these experts are available 24 hours a day.
• Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the site, they also have the choice of ordering at the same time. They still get that CAM engineer review and checks for errors and get a discount code as an incentive.

Everything is done in-house – from customer service to final production. This eliminates most of the problems in the design process. Why remain an advocate or user of prototyping boards and breadboards when the resources from Advanced Circuits are available? With them, clients enjoy the same kinds of hands-on attention they might in a real-world lab. Production is never outsourced. Evaluation is never outsourced, and there are no risks as there are in the “no-touch” approach used by a lot of fabricators (who want to receive your pre-tested files and get to work).

Rigorous Quality Checks & Premier Client Support

We do rigorous examinations of a design before we begin. We are never a broker that sends the work elsewhere. Rather, designers and clients enjoy a one-stop answer to their circuit board needs, and troubleshooting is part of the equation. This is one of the biggest benefits to those who would otherwise use the clunky prototyping board option. Instead, it is free design tools, free testing, and one-day manufacturing of even a one-off item.

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

Clients who want to toss the prototyping board and enjoy a flawless design process full of support and even corrections and adjustments that guarantee success, rely on Advanced Circuits!

The electrical needs of high-speed signaling also mean an enhanced board and other requirements, and with all of these improvements come the higher frequencies, higher speeds and smaller sizes needed by mobile devices, laptops and more. As amplifiers of the functionalities of standard circuit boards, HDI PCBs also deliver some of the most innovative features in modern electronics. Their manufacturing processes demand a level of precision and skilled design that comes only from experts in HDI PCB production and fabrication.

Not all manufacturers have the ability to offer their clients the six different types of HDI PCBs that exist, or even any options in this technology. The six most commonly found are:

• Through vias from surface to surface
• Buried vias and through vias
• Two or more HDI layers with through vias
• Passive substrate with no electrical connection
• Coreless construction using layer pairs
• Alternate constructions of coreless constructions using layer pairs

Designers also have the option for positioning more components on both sides of their HDI PCB; and enhancements in design enable them to feature more components with even smaller dimensions (and closer together) on the boards.

And while a designer can create any number of styles and systems, it is quality that remains the standout factor. While consumer demand is driving the use of HDI PCB tech and its wide-ranging capabilities, manufacturers must still concern themselves with the overall quality and reliability in the tech.

This is why it is crucial they find fabricators and assemblers with authentic HDI PCB capabilities.

Advanced Circuits Offers HDI PCB Options

Almost any players in modern electronics require HDI PCB options, and that means learning if their preferred manufacturers have the ability to do HDI work. They should consider what the smallest and largest laser ablated vias can be, they need to know via aspect ratios (depth to diameter), the capture pad size, landing pad size, stacked via options, copper filled microvia options, and what Type I through Type III capabilities are available.

At Advanced Circuits, we have HDI PCB options within our advanced capabilities and work with such high-end organizations as the U.S. Military and other Defense groups, Aerospace firms, commercial industries, and the medical fields. We can supply the DOD as well as a tiny startup with the kinds of advanced components needed. Everything is done domestically, and most is in our one-stop facility that combines both design and production along with assembly processes.

We offer an array of advanced PCB manufacturing capabilities able to meet even the most unique product or design criteria, including the laser-drilled microvias also known as HDI CPBs.

We offer multiple divisions with the same technical experts available to more traditional clients and can do entirely custom orders.

Our Array of Customer Support and Resource Options

It helps to understand that we make all of our standard and traditional client services readily available to custom clients, specialty and unique demand clients, too. These include:

• CAM Engineer Review – Long before your specialty items enter the production process, the designs and/or prototypes are reviewed in-house by our CAM experts.
• PCB Artist Software – Free to download and use in its unrestricted format, it has more features than anything else on the market and enables clients to enjoy discounted pricing when submitting Standard Spec orders through the program.
• File Review Software – The FreeDFM software evaluates a design and ensures that all essential data is included, adjusts or corrects design flaws, and sends back a report that itemizes all that was discovered and fixed.

Whether you utilize the free design software offered to all clients at the Advanced Circuits website; you upload your Gerber files to be evaluated by our file review software for all necessary data with automatic adjustments to design flaws; or you submit for a CAM engineer review; a design of even great complexity will be evaluated and adjusted.

We also offer live tech support. This is not customer support, though that is also available around the clock. This is support received from CAM engineers at any hour of the day or night, which ensures expert guidance.

There are never any minimum lot requirements forcing a firm to invest in far more PCBs or other items than are needed, and we refuse to impose tooling charges when clients work within standard specs, but even those seeking HDI options may find that tooling is waived if a reorder of a standard spec order is done as a custom spec the next time around.

We also offer our decades of stability as a wise reason to work with us. After all, with more than 25 years in the field, and a tremendously healthy bottom line, Advanced Circuits is among the most stable providers. We have an enormous physical plant capable of the entire process (from design to shipping), and we emphasize efficiency at all levels.

This is reflected in our remarkably fast and reliable shipping record. 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!

Advanced Circuits also provides a personalized page for each client. It is a centralized place for itemizing quotes and orders, enabling reviews of hold notices and even requesting test certifications and other reports directly through the site.

Customization does not necessarily have to come at punitive pricing. Even those in need of HDI implementation in their PCB designs will find plenty to appreciate about our Advanced Circuits offerings.

Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has had tremendous growth and celebrates 30 years of leadership in the ever-changing electronics manufacturing industry with innovative circuit board fabrication services, capabilities, and support.  In this post, you will learn how Advanced Circuits’ unique circuit board fabrication offerings can help you simplify your next project by taking advantage of our unique services.

Quickturn Circuit Board Prototypes

Advanced Circuits’ expedited turntime options include Same Day and Weekend Turns. When you get an online quote from us, you can compare the turntime and cost side by side.  Our Same Day Turn option is available for 2 layer circuit boards with a cut-off time of 8:15am MST. Our Weekend Turns option is available for 2 layer and Multilayer boards with a noon cut-off time for multilayer circuit boards (MST) and 3pm MST for 2 layer circuit board orders on Fridays to be shipped out to you by Saturday evening. These quickturn PCB fabrication options are great to meet fast approaching deadlines and unexpected PCB emergencies.

Clear Circuit Board Parameters for Quoting

Advanced Circuits makes the quoting parameters easy to understand to help you in the circuit board design process. We created two ways to quote your circuit boards: Standard Spec or Custom Spec. Knowing the parameters for the two options makes it easy for engineers to save on their circuit board fabrication costs. Both Standard and Custom Spec options are manufactured using the same state-of-the-art equipment and all customer files receive a detailed review by our experienced CAM engineers prior to production. Below, you can see a side-by-side comparison of both options and the circuit board capabilities and features allowed under each of the two options.  For more information and for a complete list of specifications, click here or on the image below.  Click here for an Instant Quote to compare costs side by side.

Circuit Board Capabilities for Demanding Requirements

Advanced Circuits offers cutting-edge circuit board fabrication capabilities for the most demanding requirements in all industries, including Medical, Military, and Aerospace.  We are MIL-PRF-31032/55110, AS9100D, ISO 9001 Certified, IPC 6012 3/3A, IPC 6018 Class 3 Qualified, and ITAR Registered as well as being DOD contracts ready.  Our capabilities include: laser-drilled microvias, cavity boards, heavy copper up to 20 oz., via-in-pad, microwave & RF boards, up to 40 layers and others.

For a complete list of Advanced Circuits’ expanded capabilities in a downloadable PDF format, click here or contact your Advanced Circuits Representative for more information.

Our powerful PCB fabrication solutions range from the simplest circuit board designs to the most rigorous design requirements for the medical, commercial, defense, and aerospace marketplaces.  Advanced Circuits is committed to U.S.A. manufacturing with three facilities in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota totaling over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space.  Providing enhanced support to the military/defense and aerospace industries for PCB fabrication, Advanced Circuits has made significant capital investments over the years to meet stringent standards and fabrication requirements of some of the most technologically advanced circuit board designs for mission-critical applications.

Advanced Circuits’ Three PCB Fabrication Facilities are ITAR Registered

All three of Advanced Circuits’ PCB fabrication facilities are are fully compliant and follow strict security protocols with the United States International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which is an important factor for our aerospace and defense industry customers.  To download our industry certifications and review our ITAR documentation, please visit our Certifications page on our website 4pcb.com.

Advanced Circuits’ Minnesota PCB fabrication facility is also DOD contracts ready with elevated security measures and compliance protocols that only few PCB manufacturers in the U.S.A. meet for Department of Defense contracts.

Expanded PCB Fabrication Laminates and Capabilities

Advanced Circuits sources many types of PCB laminates from top industry providers to bring you a wide range of options such as enhanced epoxy laminates, ultra-low moisture materials, high-frequency ceramic filled laminates, RoHS compliant, and more.  As North America’s third largest PCB manufacturer, we are able to work closely with laminate providers like Isola, Nelco, Arlon, Rogers, Taconic, 3M, Panasonic, and others to quickly source the materials our customers demand.  We carry laminate materials suitable for applications such as:

• Radar systems
• Mobile communications
• Complex microwave
• High speed digital
• RF components
• Phased array antennas
• Automotive radar & sensors
• High reliability aerospace & defense
• High frequency performance
• Direct broadcast satellites
• Power backplanes
• GPS antennas

Our advanced PCB Fabrication capabilities to support advanced designs with demanding requirements include: laser-drilled microvias, cavity boards, heavy copper up to 20 oz., via-in-pad, microwave & RF boards, up to 40 layers, IPC Class 3 Etchback, and others.  To view a complete list of Advanced Circuits PCB fabrication capabilities, click here.

For more information about our advanced PCB fabrication capabilities, certifications, and facilities, please call 1-800-979-4722 or find your Advanced Circuits Sales Representative by clicking here.