production – Advanced Circuits | PCB Manufacturing & PCB Assembly https://www.4pcb.com/blog Printed Circuit Boards and PCB Assembly Manufacturer Blog Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:57:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Get Started with Surface Mount Technology: Advanced Circuits is Your Preferred Choice from Prototyping to Production and Beyond /blog/how-to-get-started-with-surface-mount-technology/ Thu, 17 Dec 2020 19:24:47 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2334 Continue reading ]]> Surface mount technology (SMT) has been around for over 50 years, but there are still plenty of manufacturers using through-hole technology simply because they don’t know any better or they have yet to seek out a different solution. While there’s nothing wrong with being a little behind, now is the time to jump forward and revolutionize your efforts with the advantages of SMT. At Advanced Circuits, we’re here to help you understand the process, including what it can do for your manufacturing needs, and to help you perfect your own SMT production efforts.

Is Surface Mount Technology Better?

Surface mount technology has been around for decades, so some people are confused as to why there are still questions as to how well it works. Primarily, SMT was reserved for larger applications and high-end tech until the late 20th century, so even though it’s been around for a long time, it still has a large audience that doesn’t even understand how surface mounting works or why it’s the better choice.

As manufacturing becomes more accessible and affordable, thanks to solutions like ours where we can even prototype a single board for validation and testing before you order hundreds, there are plenty of advantages to be had with this technology. As more people continue to embrace it, the benefits become quite obvious. First of all, it’s easier to fit components on a board and you can fit more of them, or fit more on a smaller board. For small electronics and microprocessors, this is a great advantage.

Surface mounting also allows for easier repetition and better quality control. The process is efficient and easy to streamline, and once it is in place the quality rates are almost impossibly close to perfect. Unlike drilling, which could create more variation and flaws, surface mounting is a simpler, more effective process that is easy to replicate and get great results from.

This makes it more effective, as well as more of a cost-effective solution for companies that are trying to save money. When you have fewer errors, there is less waste. That means that you’re saving in a lot of different ways.

When Should Surface Mount Technology Be Used?

Surface mount technology is used in many products manufactured today. If you are looking to create a smaller or more compact design, or even just fit more components in, this might be the way to go. Here are some good uses for the technology:

  • A product that has requirements for producing little to no noise can benefit from SMT boards
  • Large quantity production with automated technology is ideal and gets better quality control
  • When requirements demand high frequencies or high-speed functioning
  • The final product may be dense, but also needs to present as light or sleek
  • You need to accommodate a denser PCB in a small board or product

Basically, it’s about packing more into a smaller space and doing it with better quality in mind at all times. There are several different packages, PCBs, and component options available to choose from that can be found in all kinds of electronics today, and they can provide a variety of different uses. Whether you are looking to create the ideal PCB package or you just want to test out a new single board that you have been working on, Advanced Circuits can help.

Who Shouldn’t Use SMT?

There are still some cases where SMT might not be the best choice. The rare instances when surface mount technology should be avoided are few and far between. One of the biggest drawbacks is that these parts aren’t ideal for easy installation or plug-and-play use. The end-user or installer would need to be someone highly skilled and capable of assembling or installing the PCBs at the component level. This may also affect production costs for those who don’t have access to such skilled professionals as in-house staff. It’s all about figuring out what you can get from the process and whether it benefits you.

Of course, most of the issues with SMT are found in the production and installation process, which is exactly what you can rely on the team at Advanced Circuits for. Working with skilled professionals that understand the field of PCBs and how surface-mount technology can benefit various industries and applications gives you the chance to get the best people on your side and the best components for your projects, as a result.

It’s About Efficiency and Improvement

Technology is leading the way forward. Any brand that wants to improve its circuit board production and operation can rely on the advantages of surface mounting for a variety of applications and uses. Understanding the process and how it works, as well as the benefits that it offers, gives people the chance to optimize their own efforts with PCB design and assembly and take their business to the next level.

Increased production efficiency means that there will be fewer operating expenses and reduced overhead costs. This, in turn, helps improve the bottom line. When you add to that the fact that products will be more valuable and reputable since they are produced via better means, it’s easy to see just why so many people are getting on board with this technology, whether they need 100 PCBs or a million of them.

Whether you’re just starting to learn about PCBs and surface mount technology or you’ve got a prototype that’s ready to be built, the team at Advanced Circuits can help with everything that you need. Take the time to explore all of our services and contact us to learn more about how we can help. From concept to completion and beyond, our team of experts will help you harness the power of surface mount technology so that you can reap the rewards. Call us today to take your PCBs to the next level with the latest technology solutions.

 

]]>
Is It Too Expensive to Create a PCB Prototype? /blog/is-it-too-expensive-to-create-a-pcb-prototype/ Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:57:55 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2234 Continue reading ]]> A consumer who cracks open an electronic device will typically recognize the PCB (printed circuit board). This leads many to believe that all PCBs are the same and that there is no need for them to be redesigned or innovated in any way. Experts in electronics know differently. They understand that innovation goes on all the time, and PCB prototypes are extremely common.

Prototype Challenges

The trouble is that a PCB prototype can be a costly endeavor, particularly when production issues are added to the equation. As an example, many manufacturers employ the following practices, which make PCB prototypes difficult to build.

  • Lengthy production times – A cheap, fast production process is highly desirable where PCB prototypes are concerned. After all, it is key to product testing and design tweaks. Yet very few manufacturers offer a fast turnaround – such as one to five days – and it forces firms to rethink their options and skip a PCB prototype or product redesign.
  • Order minimums – Too many PCB makers demand a minimum order quantity, which means the production of a number of the same PCB prototypes. This is a substantial waste of money and requires the company to find a use for – or flatly discard – a batch of PCB prototypes.
  • Expensive design system – Hiring engineers and designers, investing in complicated and costly software, using printed films or evaluating digital files…these all cost a great deal but are typical steps in a standard PCB prototype design process.

The entire production process of any prototype PCB or standard PCB (from generating blueprints to making the substrate, printing the layers, UV hardening, copper removal, laminations, inspections, pressing, drilling, plating, imaging, etching, soldering, and silk screening stages and testing) will take a lot of time and generate a lot of expense. And yet, producers offering something like a one-day turnaround time are greeted with skepticism.

Considering the challenges of PCB prototype processes, that skepticism is wise, but there are producers capable of such feats. The team at Advanced Circuits, for instance, has a history of making the production of a PCB prototype, as well as full orders of PCBs, affordable, fast, and fail-proof.

How do they do this? They use unique tools and production methods that allow them to consistently rank at the top of the industry.

The Advanced Circuits PCB Prototype Production Process

The struggles of designing and producing a PCB prototype are even more complex than those points outlined earlier. For example, a PCB prototype runs the same risk of trouble if it runs beyond a single layer. There may be problems in the design that negate the functionality between layers, and this could render the PCB or PCB prototype unusable.

What can be done to facilitate an easier process? Advanced Circuits has created a PCB prototype process that overcomes most of the common concerns and hurdles. It includes:

  • No minimums – With the ability to order a single, affordable PCB, the idea of quick prototype design is a reality. One-day turnarounds are an option, and this means that a company’s production or design processes are not significantly interrupted.
  • Free software – One major concern for many companies is their need to invest in high-priced, high-tech design software. Advanced Circuits makes advanced options available entirely free of charge using their industry-recognized PCB Artist software. This software is available in an unrestricted format and comes with tutorials to speed up the learning curve. It also includes a discount when designs are run through the program – even a single PCB prototype order. Simply download the free software and use the program to create a prototype of up to 28 layers, using any of the half-million parts and components in the software’s built-in library.
  • FreeDFM evaluation software – In addition to the advanced design software, there is a simple-to-use option that allows a client to upload Gerber files and have them analyzed and corrected. The software also generates a report indicating potential roadblocks.
  • CAM engineer evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers long before production begins, helping to eliminate costly mistakes.
  • Software-based ordering – Running the design through the free software allows for immediate ordering. A PCB prototype can be generated within the software, go through the FreeDFM and CAM engineer reviews, and receive a discount just as easily as a full batch of PCBs can.
  • Full tech support – Advanced Circuits offers 24-hour tech support that features direct access to a CAM engineer to help troubleshoot PCB prototype or standard design dilemmas.

After all these features are used, a PCB prototype is typically prepared for error-free production. Advanced Circuits then makes the product at the most rapid pace imaginable. As an industry leader with decades of experience making PCB prototypes (as well as huge production batches of PCBs), they are suited to companies of any size.

Advanced Circuits Offers Other Benefits for PCB Prototyping

Their immense facility provides production and assembly through a streamlined and cost-efficient process. In addition to their PCB prototype services, they also offer the following:

  • Full support – Unlike many other manufacturers, their team works with you every step of the way. They begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and walk all clients through to the final production and assembly phases.
  • Clear pricing – Also, unlike many other producers, they do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other sneaky, but ultimately unnecessary, charges.
  • Quality – While many in the PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ array of design resources, they also appreciate the inspection process beginning with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
  • One-stop production – Everything takes place in the same place, from design tools, quality checks, design and production services, assembly, and anything else that’s needed to turn out a quality PCB prototype the first time.

A PCB prototype is just as important – if not more so – as the final PCB produced for a product line. Either way, the most affordable and hassle-free approach should be used, and a one-stop option like Advanced Circuits can be an invaluable partner in any company’s design and production process.

 

]]>
New Materials Ahead for Printed Circuit Board Production /blog/new-materials-ahead-for-printed-circuit-board-production/ /blog/new-materials-ahead-for-printed-circuit-board-production/#respond Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:56:09 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=385 Continue reading ]]> printed circuit board new materials

When it comes to different materials available to engineers in the electronics industry, silicon has emerged as a clear leader. However, as products get smaller and more powerful, each printed circuit board is being asked to do the same while packing in more value for the cost. An issue arises due to the fact that transistors reach a point where they cannot get smaller to meet design needs due to limitations created by both power consumption and heat dissipation. Researchers at Harvard are tackling these problems by using a quantum material called a correlated oxide, which compares to the best silicon switches available and is able to withstand higher temperatures. As such, this material can be integrated into existing electronic devices and PCB fabrication methods to increase the productivity of high-energy applications.

Getting the Most Value from a Printed Circuit Board

There is a lot that goes into the design of a printed circuit board so that engineers know it will be able to meet the demands of the application once fabrication and assembly are complete. In order to make sure that your PCBs are going to give you the most value, you should connect with an expert at Advanced Circuits about the following:

  • Desired Result
  • Materials Needed
  • PCB Design Software
  • Required Components/Industry Standards or Regulations
  • Turnaround Time/PCB Fabrication and Assembly

This way, your representative will be able to give you tips on new PCB materials, components and other processes that can benefit you when you are ready to order your next batch of circuit boards. Get started with free PCB Artist™ software, submit your design files for a free file check with our FreeDFM™, and place your order today.

Source: http://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2014/09/for-electronics-beyond-silicon-new-contender-emerges

]]>
/blog/new-materials-ahead-for-printed-circuit-board-production/feed/ 0
Advanced Circuits Offers Production Quantity PCBs /blog/advanced-circuits-offers-production-quantity-pcbs/ /blog/advanced-circuits-offers-production-quantity-pcbs/#respond Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:01:28 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=96 Continue reading ]]> Buying printed circuit boards is not just for hobbyists or for highly specialized applications. By working with Advanced Circuits, you are able to get the exact quantity of PCBs you need and the quality that you expect so that your project and products work correctly the first time. Whether you need a single PCB for yourself at home or need to place an expedited order for a high quantity, Advanced Circuits has you covered. As an industry leader, Advanced Circuits is MIL-PRF-31032, MIL-PRF-55110G and AS9100C certified so that you get PCBs that meet only the highest standards of manufacturing and production.

Advanced Circuits is a Top Manufacturer for Engineering Students

Advanced Circuits is the industry leader in providing PCBs to engineering students at major colleges and universities across the country. By investing in the future of the industry and helping students get the experience they need, the profession benefits and is infused with talent and commitment that will show its positive effects on the marketplace as a whole. For more information about the Advanced Circuits student program and to see new customer specials, talk with a representative today.

]]>
/blog/advanced-circuits-offers-production-quantity-pcbs/feed/ 0
Advanced Circuits Tests PCBs During Production /blog/advanced-circuits-tests-pcbs-during-production/ /blog/advanced-circuits-tests-pcbs-during-production/#respond Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:44:18 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=48 Continue reading ]]> Advanced Circuits Tests PCBs During Production

It is important to know that the printed circuit boards you order will work exactly how you need them. That is why the team at Advanced Circuits tests boards for opens and shorts in the circuitry as one of the last steps of production. This way, you know that the PCB that you order is absolutely ready to be used how you need it. During the testing process, programs can be loaded onto test machines to check for any issues. Advanced Circuits tests 100 percent of the networks on your circuit board for continuity and isolation. You can find out more about the production process by talking with a representative.

Getting the PCBs You Need from Advanced Circuits

At Advanced Circuits there are no minimums when placing your PCB order. This is so you get exactly the amount of printed circuit boards you need to get the job done without getting stuck with extra boards that you have no use for. To place your order, you can start by uploading your files to Advanced Circuits’ free DFM file checker. This will help streamline your order so you get the perfect boards quickly.

]]>
/blog/advanced-circuits-tests-pcbs-during-production/feed/ 0