Questions & Answers on PCB Fabrication

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Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 22, 2021

Design Rule Checking (DRC) is a process used to identify errors and mismatches such as spacing & trace widths in a PCB design/layout. The layout of a PCB board is designed using software, each PCB fabricator has a set of rules which they publish that specify various parameters such as what the spacing between each line should be, the minimum size of vias, the width of a line etc.Once a design ...read more

What is an Annular Ring?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 22, 2021

A via is created by drilling a hole through a copper pad etched on each layer of a PCB. An Annular Ring is the area between the edge of the drilled via and the copper pad associated with that hole. The greater the width of an annular ring, the greater the copper connection around the drilled via will be.In a multilayer PCB, traces are routed from one layer to another layer with the help of vias. T...read more

What is the Silkscreen in a PCB?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 25, 2023

Silkscreen is a layer of text or graphics printed on the PCB's surface that provides information about the components, their placement, and other relevant details. This layer is typically printed in white or black ink and is placed on top of the copper traces and other layers that make up the PCB.The silkscreen layer on a PCB is not electrically conductive, which means that it does not affect ...read more

What is the Solder Mask?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jul 22, 2022

Solder mask or solder resist is a coating applied to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) to protect the copper traces on the board and to stop electrical shorts. The solder mask is usually applied on both sides of the PCB i.e Top and Bottom to ensure reliability and performance. It protects the traces from oxidation and other environmental factors like contaminants, dust, and dirt which might affect its...read more

PCB Solder Mask Colors

PCB Fabrication

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Mar 15, 2020

The Solder Mask is a thin protective polymer layer, which is applied on the conductive tracks of the printed circuit board during the manufacturing process. It protects the copper tracks from oxidation and helps avoiding short circuits. The color variation of the solder mask is the result of liquid photoimagible solder mask (LPI), a special ink, which can be screen printed, sprayed or coated on th...read more

What are PCB Stiffeners?

PCB Fabrication

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 17, 2020

When working with flexible PCBs there are times when we need certain parts of the flexible printed circuit board to be rigid. We do so by adding mechanical support to parts of the PCB. This mechanical support is called a PCB Stiffener.Flexible PCBs have many advantages like the capability to bend, twist, and fold. However, it is challenging to add/solder components and interconnects to these board...read more

Handling PCB Rework Properly is Better Than Discarding Them

MOKOPCB - MOKO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Apr 21, 2020

In times of difficulty to obtain parts, increasing need for versatility and fast growth cycles, clean as well as affordable PCB remodel to conserve put together or bare printed circuit card are becoming increasingly essential. Every PCB or PCB setting up that can be fixed by rework safeguards our setting by not getting rid of it as well as by not having to generate new PCBs. Bauer Express PCBs hav...read more

What is PCB Panelization?

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What is PCB Etching?

PCB Fabrication

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 24, 2020

Etching is a part of the PCB fabrication process which is used to create the cropper traces on the printed circuit board. This is done by removing the excess copper from the copper laminate, only leaving the required circuit on it.There are two types of Etching: Dry Etching and Wet Etching:Wet Etching: Wet Etching uses an acid solution and dissolves the unwanted copper based on chemical reactions....read more

What is PCB Etchback?

PCB Fabrication

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 24, 2020

PCB Etchback is process performed to remove epoxy resin from the sidewalls of a drilled via hole to make sure it provides good electrical connectivity between the PCB layers. Maintaining good electrical connectivity between layers is very important for routing signals in multi-layer printed circuit boards.During the via drilling process, if the drill temperature exceeds the glass transition temper...read more

Electrolytic Ni-Au PCB Finish

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 25, 2020

Electrolytic Ni-Au (Nickle-Gold) is a PCB finish that is composed of a layer of Gold, plated over a base of electroplated nickel. The purity of gold used for plating categorizes the finish as Hard Gold (99.6% purity) or Soft Gold (99.9% purity). Hardness is achieved by adding non-noble metallic elements alloyed with Gold deposit like Cobalt, Nickel or Iron, which enhances its durabilityHard Gold h...read more

What Is PCB Measling?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

Measling is the occurrence of discrete white spots in the base laminate material of a PCB. Measling usually occurs when the resin is not properly applied to the board during the lamination process. These defects appear during the PCB production cycle and signify a malfunctioning board.A small amount of measling can be tolerated on printed circuit boards however when excessive this can degrade elec...read more

What is PCB Etch Factor?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

PCB Etch Factor or etch compensation is an etching process modification used by the PCB manufacturers to decide the extent and accuracy of etching. It helps the designers and manufacturers decide the minimum etching allowance on the track width. During etching, unwanted copper is removed gradually from the PCB surface to realize the desired conductive track. For instance, if a PCB design requires ...read more

What is a PCB Gerber File?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jun 13, 2020

A Gerber File is a software file that is provided to the PCB Manufacturing Company to fabricate a PCB to the required specification. A PCB Gerber file is a two-dimensional pictorial representation of each layer of a PCB board where tracks, pads, and vias are represented by different lines and shapes. It is the universal way of telling a machine how to create a PCB board based on the information pr...read more

What is a Multi-Layer PCB?

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