Clearance and Creepage Rules for PCB Assembly

It’s important to follow electrical spacing rules for keeping the product safe in case the normal operating voltage exceeds 30VAC or 60VDC. You’ll be surprised to know that voltage above these levels are considered perilous and these designs are considered high voltage.

This blog post includes important spacing rules, both creepage and clearance, and some methodologies to make sure these rules are applied precisely and adhered to. We’ll be sharing a few important Clearance and Creep page Rules for PCB Assembly.

Design Trends

We aim to minimize size and maximize component density on Printed Circuit Boards and minimize the overall PCB design & assembly costs. The whole electronics product development industry is focusing on recent high-density components. This miniaturization offers some serious challenges to the designers when using mixed technology and where the design parts include the high voltage circuits. Previously, designing high voltage boards separately in a multi-board system was an easy process.

But now the increased focus towards miniaturization implies that there is at least space left for multiple boards, designs employing mixed technologies have increased in the numbers.  The high voltage circuits demand a new set of rules for operator’s safety. It is important to have a deep understanding of these rules and different ways to implement them while focusing on reducing the overall product size.

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Ultimate Guide to learn and master PCB Repair

 

Repairing small circuit boards is not a complex task. Small boards can be simply repaired via applying methodological approaches and using basic tools like oscilloscopes that measure voltages and waveforms at particular test points in the circuit and Digital multimeters (DMMs). On the other hand, troubleshooting multi-layer PCBs is a daunting task. However, the availability of proper documentation plays a crucial role in PCB Repair speed. If you are interested in electronics, there are good chances that you’ll encounter a dead PCB. So, what’s the best approach to follow when confronted with such a situation?

In this blog post, we will discuss Printed Circuit Boards Repair in detail which will help you to master PCB Repair.

PCB repair is a complicated process these days. Manufacturing mistakes and frequent component failures have led to the increased numbers of PCB Repairs. Older Printed Circuit Boards can break down due to component failure, manufacturing errors, and incorrectly soldered parts, solder bridges and more. Though component changes and simple soldering require less complex fixes, some repairs require expert approaches to detect fault causes.

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Ultimate Guide to PCB trace | Printed Circuit Boards Canada

 What is PCB Trace?

A PCB trace is a copper conductor on the PCB that conducts signals on the surface of the PCB. It is the flat, narrow portion of the copper foil that is left behind after etching. The electricity that flows through the copper traces generates a significant amount of heat. Correctly calibrated PCB trace width and thickness help minimize the buildup of heat in your board.PCB trace is a vital part of almost every Printed Circuit Board. If PCB trace is not identified or calculated accurately, fixing it can be time-consuming and sometimes can cause errors in the system.

Printed Circuit Boards are equipped with numerous components and knowing exactly the required parts for repairing or assembling a Printed Circuit Board and kind of functions and formulas is very important.

What is PCB Trace Width and PCB thickness?

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5 Effective Tips for PCB Design for assembly

 PCB Design for assembly is one of the most daunting tasks for people who want to become a PCB master on the first try. This blog post includes a series of effective tips that will ensure a smooth quick turn printed circuit board design and assembly process for the newbie’s.

Want to become a PCB Master on the first try? Follow these effective tips for PCB Design and assembly

Focus on part-to-part spacing

Most of the new designers struggle with component-to-component spacing. Placing two components too close to each other can create numerous issues that may result in redesigning and prefabricating which is a time-consuming and expensive affair.

PCB masters make the best use of different techniques to avoid the potential issues that could arise from component disarrangement. They design the footprints in the manner that there is always an adequate gap between the component boundaries and component shapes do not overlap each other.  Also, make sure that PCB Design for Assembly Guidelines, component rules and requirements, and proximity regulations have been well-established while designing software for PCB Designing.

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The best tips for high Speed PCB routing

 

When it comes to routing a circuit board a PCB designer has a difficult task. When high speed PCB routing and signals are involved things get more complicated. In an effort to help different PCB designers, a list of best high speed PCB routing practices has been made that will assist them in achieving that perfect high-speed design.

It was not that long when the word “high speed” didn’t exist in the vocabulary of PCB designers. However these days, it seems to be just opposite. At that time, the only concern was all about putting the puzzle pieces together and strategist your way through a physical board layout. But what with high speed design? Now here there is a bunch of invisible forces to worry about, things like electromagnetic interference which is also known as EMI, cross-talk, signal reflection and etc.

To handle the extra advanced computing needs of these devices high speed circuitry is required in dense PCB designs. Other than that is the RF portion of these devices which increases the complexity of their small yet powerful circuit boards. However to successfully design these boards, PCB designers need to balance the requirements of a board that has both high speed and RF PCB routing on it.

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Understanding Thermal Profiling PCBs

 

Normally, in the production and assembly of electronic products, precise control of process parameters is essential. Usually this process is done by continuous monitoring and record process parameters which includes thermal profiling of PCBs. Basically, thermal profiling of PCB’s involves controlling the temperatures during the component soldering on the PCB.

What is Thermal Profiling for Assembly?

The common industry practice is to develop one of the three types of thermal profiles; it depends on PCB size and largely on guesstimates. Its consequences include a high probability of cold solder joints and damaged components. These issues sometimes lead to inordinate extra re-work and assembly costs and OEM product delays.

Also thermal profiling of PCB’s or temperature profiling is very important for any manufacturing process along with the heat treatment. Other than this it involves plotting the temperature at numerous points on a given product as it passes through thermal process. If you say typically, a thermal profile is a complex set of time-temperature data. That is why, the thermal profile is all about controlling the different dimensions like peak, soak, or slope, etc. that usually affect the process. It is an important part of efficient PCB design services that require advanced PCB manufacturing and assembly equipment.

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Different Benefits of surface-mount technology PCB

 

What is Surface mount technology? Surface mount technology is part of the electronic assembly that deals with the mounting of electronic components to the surface of the PCB. This way mounted electronic components are called surface mounted devices (SMD). The main purpose after the development of SMT was to minimize the manufacturing costs while making efficient use of PCB space. Other than that the introduction of surface mount technology has enabled PCB design services for highly complex electronic circuits with the smaller assemblies. There are any benefits of surface-mount technology PCB’s which we will discuss further in the blog.

In other ways if we try to study we can also say that Surface-mount technology (SMT) is a method for producing electronic circuits in which the components are mounted or placed directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Such an electronic device is known as Surface-mount device (SMD). These devices have largely replaced the through-hole technology construction method of fitting components with wire leads into holes in the circuit board. With the through-hole technology used for components not suitable for surface mounting such as a large transformers and heat-sinked power semiconductors, both technologies can be used on the same board.

The arrivals of Surface mount technology

Surface-mount technology was developed in the 1960’s and was broadly used in the 1980s. However by 1990s, they were used in the most high-end PCB assemblies. These conventional electronic components were designed to include metal tabs or end caps that could be attached directly to the board surface; this replaced typical wire leads which needed to pass through drilled holes. The advent of SMT led to much smaller components and enabled component placement on both sides of the board more frequently than with through-hole mounting.

The Design for manufacturing (DFM) software gives circuit designers the foundation for their SMT component placement and production. Other than this the software also helps designers to consistently meet stringent industry quality standards. This is where the functional and design features should merge. 

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What are advantages of HDI PCBs?

HDI (High Density Interconnects PCBs) are used to meet market demand for complex designs in smaller form factors in most market segments (such as wireless, telecommunications, military, medical, semiconductor and instrumentation).  The advantages of HDI PCBs are many, starting with more interconnects in smaller areas. The result is a miniaturization of the boards that can be used in many applications.

What is HDI PCBs?

The HDI PCB is the short form of high density interconnects PCBs. It has been constructed using HDI technology for a compact and reliable PCB design.

It features high-density attributes, including laser micro-via, fine lines and high-performance materials.

Conventional PCBs are coated with copper in the inner and outer layers, or like HDI PCBs are incorporated with stacked micro-via-filled multi-copper layers. Components are placed closer together and space on the board is significantly reduced, but functionality is not compromised.

This creates a structure allowing complex interconnections to provide the necessary routing solutions.

High-tech applications use the advantages of HDI PCBs to build high pin count chips.

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What does a Quick turnaround PCB use for ?

 

A new technology for the manufacture of fast rotating printed circuit boards. Technology is ahead of its time. Indeed, the use of prototype PCBs helps manufacturers to identify possible defects that may appear on the original PCB and to process them in time. It also gives the manufacturer the ability to add additional features to the PCB to improve performance and efficiency. After final manufacture, it is usually difficult to make changes, which is why prototypes are absolutely essential for the manufacturer. As a result, PCB manufacturing is no exception and so is the need for Quick turnaround PCBs. The manufacture of Quick turnaround PCBs ensures that the customer receives his PCB on time. This means that the manufacturer has to carry out the entire PCB manufacturing process within a short period of time.

Fast production for quality products

Fast turnaround circuit boards save a lot of time that could have been lost waiting for the circuit board. It reduces the manufacturing period

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How to search for a good quality PCB Designing

From diagrams: Before you start drawing wires and other components, you need to know which circuit you want to build. So you need to find or design schematics for your circuit. In addition, you will need reliable PCB design software to be able to begin the design process. Start by drawing your diagram in the software.

Prepare the table layout

Now is the time to draw the board. You need to turn your circuit board block diagram into a drawing. Designing PCBs is more of an art than a science. Take your time and make sure it looks good. Follow the design guidelines for drawing circuit boards. Most PCB software will have tools that will help you draw your board from the schematic. We can't cover them all, but with further research we will find it is quite easy.

Things to consider

An important thing to consider is whether you are going to place the circuit board in a box? Remember that large components must be laid flat to accommodate. With a drawing of your components placed on your board, print it out on a sheet of paper. Use this paper version of your card to check if it fits in the box or if your connectors do.

Have your PCB manufactured

When you are done drawing your board, it's time to prepare your PCB for fabrication. This means you need to check your card for errors and convert your presentation to Gerber files. Then choose an affordable PCB maker and get your board ready.

Detailed instructions

This is just an introduction to PCB design. Learning the basics first will help you work on larger projects as you go along. Soon you will be able to work on advanced technologies like quadcopters, LCD screens, and other awesome gadgets.

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Flexible PCB manufacturers, a new innovation

Flexible PCB is a technology for assembling electronic circuits by mounting electronic devices on flexible plastic substrates. Flexible printed circuit board manufacturers are increasingly developing and its complex manufacturing combines technology and precision.

What is a flexible PCB?

Thanks to the development of aerospace and aerospace product development. Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are a type of printed circuit board that are made from a flexible substrate material and have more advantages than usually rigid PCBs: They are thinner, lighter in weight, are dynamically bendable, and are accessible for 3D interconnects assembly. There is greater freedom in electronic and mechanical design, which generates more space savings.

How are flexible boards manufactured?

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What are full turnkey PCB services | Turnkey PCB Assembly

The Full turnkey PCB services it’s a material that requires a high knowledge not just of PCB components and assembly but also of printed circuit board design, this fabrication is really hard to understand. In general the circuit boardassembly is just one piece of the puzzle to delivering the perfect product the first time without assembly errors or other transformations.

The importance of PCB is important; they were produced industrially from 1929 until 1980. They were used as lubricants for the manufacture of electrical transformers and capacitors, as insulators in very high voltage environments (THT), as heat transfer fluids in environments with risk of fire (ships transporting fuels), as hydraulic fluids in hazardous environments such as mines. They are also used as adjuvants in the formulation of oils, paints, inks, paper, adhesives, and plastics.

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Metal Clad PCB Efficiency | Metal Core PCB

Printed circuit board has a special part called metal clad PCB.

There are several reasons why custom MCPBC is ideal for led industry. The first and foremost is that PCB specifications include an ability to integrate dielectric polymer layer. Moreover, this provides significantly higher thermal conductivity.

Here is a story when I came across MCPCB. A normal day as usual I was preparing a circuit that protects Thruster from high voltage. After completing my circuit construction virtually, I made a prototype with manual calculations because it works most of the time. After testing I was glad with my co-workers. But the next day I realized that there were too much AMPS and FR4, it will go on fire immediately. And that’s where I started doing intensive research about finding a solution to stop the high heat. Finally I found a type of metal called MCPCB.

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The modern age of technology using multilayer PCBs

Printed Circuit Boards or shortly known as PCBs are the basis of many electronics nowadays. The PCBs that were used in the past were comparably simple and limited by manufacturing techniques, however in today’s time they are much more complex. Also these PCBs are multilayered now in comparison to earlier times. These multilayered PCBs are the new age of technology as people have started using, mobility therefore multilayer printed circuit boards are preferred by many people.

Now the question that arises would be what actually are Multilayered PCBs?

Basically, a multilayered PCB is a PCB made of three or more conductive copper foil layers. They are layered with heat-protective insulation as well as double-sided circuit boards. To connect the environment the entire construction is arranged with two layers placed on the surface sides of the PCB. There are many different printed circuit board manufacturers.

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Types of Printed Circuit Boards– All you need to know about

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a trailblazing piece of technology. It holds all the electrical components mechanically & connects them using conductive pads, tracks & other allied features. There are various types of Printed Circuit Boards used for different purposes.

PCBs are primarily categorized based on the method of construction. Some well-known types of PCB design are Single-Sided PCBs, Double-Sided PCBs, Multilayer PCBs& more. Some types of PCB are flexible whereas some are rigid. Different types of board design come with different uses. While some are easy to manufacture, some others have multiple functionalities. But, each printed circuit board are important in its area of functionality. Read on to know more about the types of Printed Circuit Boards & choose the best PCB design for PCB prototyping and manufacturing.

What are the Types of Printed Circuit Boards?

There are 6 types of PCB used by the industry to manufacture various technology-based products. These PCBs are:

1.    Single-Sided PCBs

2.    Double-Sided PCBs

3.    Multilayer PCBs

4.    Rigid PCBs

5.    Flex PCBs

6.    Rigid-Flex PCBs

What are the functions of each type of Printed Circuit Board?

As mentioned earlier, each PCB serves a different purpose as per the nature of its construction. Various components & holes are placed strategically to extract full  Here are the functions of various types of PCB:

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Innovations in PCB Assembly for Modern Medicine

Modern Medicine & Medical equipment are experiencing a paradigm shift due to the ever-increasing needs of consumers. This has led to trailblazing innovations in PCB Assembly to develop functional medical equipment for ease of use & increased functionality.

Electronics & its allied aspects are an integral part of the path-breaking evolution of modern medicine. The rapid modernization of technology is bringing forth futuristic healthcare with improved & updated equipment. Traditional monitoring systems are making way for Tablets, Smartphones & iPads to ensure better recording & monitoring.

With a simple click on the smartphone, patients can get in touch with medical experts for an effortless diagnosis. Doctors can check patients real-time status via interactive tablets rather than traditional monitoring by nurses. Read on to know about the role of PCB Assembly in Modern Medicine & various modern medical equipment.

What is PCB Assembly ?

PCBA or Printed Circuit Board Assembly is the joining/soldering of electrical components to a Printed Circuit Board. PCBA primarily includes:

1. PCB Design
2. Development of PCB model as per the equipment/device.

Conditions for PCB assembly process:

The PCB Assembly procedure is based on varied conditions like:

1. Electronic components & its characteristics.
2. Purpose of the PCB for a specific device.
3. Classification of Circuit Board.

Collection of components for PCB assembly process:

All the necessary components must be collected for assembly. Important parts include:

1. Printed Circuit Board
2. Components that need to be soldered.
3. Soldering ingredients such as paste, solder wire or bar & its original material.
4. Equipment for Soldering like soldering station, testing & SMT equipment.

Initiating PCB assembly process:

Now, Assembling the PCB for a particular device can be done. Major processes of the PCBA include:

1. Few components have leg-like structures (protruding leads) that fit into PCB holes.
2. Once the components are fitted, soldering can be done.
3. Cleaning & testing must be done after soldering.
4. If errors are found in the assembled PCB, the necessary steps must be taken to rectify them.
5. Two Soldering processes are used namely :-

• Traditional Soldering
• Wave Soldering

Surface Mount Technology – One of the best PCB assembly process:

• This Surface-mount technology does not include protruding leads for fitting.
• As the name suggests, components are easily fitted on PCBs.
• SMT components are termed as Surface Mount Devices (SMDs).
• The technology utilizes an entirely different set of equipment, soldering items & components.
• This technology is regarded as one of the best assembly processes due to easier automation, affordability, dynamic use, less space requirement, improved density & efficiency.
• A few circuit board manufacturers in Canada use this method for modern medical equipment. Read more

Advancement & Future of Printed Circuit Board

Slimming down of electronic gadgets such as tablets, phones, televisions& wearable devices is not under wraps.Thanks to efficient manufacturing processes& sleek design software.Modern technology focuses on smaller, lighter & more powerful devices.Since the emergence of printed circuit boards in the late 1950s, advanced technology has propelled us forward to create smaller gadgets.

Consumers now-a-days aspire for thinner, faster& more streamlined devices. In order to meet their demands,it’s no surprise that the pressure falls on high-performing PCBs for development and growth.

The Future of Printed Circuit Board Design and Implementation

While modern PCBs are versatile, there’s always room for development.In order to deliver new features that connect both consumers & professionals, product manufacturers are focusing on extracting even more power from printed circuit boards.

Let us learn about these technological advancements in printed circuit board design & see how it can change the tech world.

1. Printed Circuit Board Cameras:

Printed Circuit Board Cameras are commonly known as Board cameras.These are a type of digital camera with image sensors& optical device mounted directly on a circuit board.

Ensuring the compactness of these printed circuit board cameras, they can be slipped inside any electronic device, from a cell phone to a tablet. PCB Cameras comprise of lens, image sensor&aperture. Incorporation of camera in a board makes this small stature exceptionally versatile in an inexpensive way.

Applications:

Common applications of these cameras include:

• Hidden cameras and surveillance modules
• Medical Instruments
• Cellular phones and other mobile devices like iPods and tablet computers

PCB Manufacturers in Canada are working on this technology & are expected to develop it soon.

2. 3D Printed Electronics:

3D Electronics is perhaps the most intriguing development in the world of PCBs. This technology enables designers to print metal traces & insulating polymers simultaneously. It enables quick & precise fabrication of complex and functional circuit boards & other innovative devices.

Applications:

The immense benefits of 3D-printed products in technical and manufacturing fields are paving the way for exciting new markets, applications and opportunities. These include:

• Functional elements: For instance switches and sensors are now being integrated into 3D-printedelectronics.
• In- house electronics: These are useful in 3D printed radio frequency (RF) electronics in-house.
• Antennas: This technology makes it possible to develop smaller and lighter antennas and circuitry.

The advantage of using 3D electronics is that it enables circuits to take new & incredible shapes.3D PE manufacturing is the digital aspect of the production with increased automation.

3. Flexible PCB:

Designed as a replacement for traditional wire harnesses, flexible PCB or flex circuit in its purest form is an array of conductors bonded to a thin dielectric film. Flex circuits utilize flexible based material with or without flexible cover lay, allowing the board to conform to a desired shape (flex) during its application.

The major advantage of flexible PCBs is that it has a great ductility & tensile strength. This means it can handle more stress &can be easily bent when compared with conventional rigid PCBs. Moreover, these are light & thin &require less manual labour during assembly.

Applications:

Flex PCBs are often used in applications where flexibility, compactness, & production constraints are a major concern. Its common applications include:

• Computer Keyboards
• LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) fabrication.
• Cellular telephones
• Smart socks, belts and wristbands
• Medical Equipment

PCB Manufacturers in Canada have a relevant exposure to the trending technologies & methods of manufacturing &hold the requisite certifications for manufacturing flexible PCBs. Read More

Printed Circuit Board – Game changer of the Future

Printed Circuit Board is a boon to mankind owing to its portability & dynamic usage. PCB is also considered as the building block of electronic devices. That is why most of today’s electronic equipment is fitted with the latest technology in PCB design. The adoption of PCB has increased the demand for the Printed Circuit Board Market as well.

A few significant reasons for the growth in PCB Manufacturing are the compact size, less usage of wire, easy diagnosis & repair, affordability and efficiency of PCB. According to a leading report, Global PCB market is expected to grow at a rate of 6% for the period of 2017-2021. This growth rate is prompting PCB Manufacturers in Canada to ramp up their production & meet the rising demands of the PCB market. Innovation in circuit board components is one of the primary goals of the PCB industry to cater to a variety of needs.

Popular uses of Printed Circuit Board and Flexible PCB are in wearables, smartphones, medical equipment, smart technology like voice-assistants, thermostats and much more. Read on to know about the exciting prospects of Printed Circuit Boards and the reasons for an increase in its Global demand.

4 Trailblazing applications contributing to the demand of Printed Circuit Board:

Printed Circuit Board has a wide range of path-breaking applications in today’s world. A key factor which is contributing to the utilization of PCBs is the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Here are 5 major implementations of PCB in the Global PCB market:

SMARTPHONES :

The first smartphone was invented in 1992 as is known as Simon Personal Communicator (SPC). Since then smartphones have come a long way. PCBs have been an integral part of smartphone manufacturing due to its small size & increased efficiency. As the smartphone industry is rapidly innovating, there is an increased reliance on Circuit Board Components & Printed Circuit Boards.

That is why industries of Printed Circuit Boards, Canada are emphasizing on innovations to offer next-generation technology to the Printed Circuit Board Market.

WEARABLES :

Wearable Devices have been in use since the 1980s. Printed Circuit Board or Flexible PCB are the primary components of these useful devices. Some of the wearables are smartwatches, wireless headphones, smart clothing and much more. Such devices require high-quality Printed Circuit Board. These devices are getting more sophisticated owing to an increased emphasis on providing seamless technology to consumers.

This leads to a requirement of the latest technology in PCB design & circuit board components. Leading companies of PCB Manufacturing in Toronto are innovating constantly to meet the rising demands of Global PCB market.

SMART VEHICLES :

Utilization of PCBs in vehicles is a contributing factor in accelerating the Global PCB market.  PCBs are commonly used in sensors, wireless & wired technologies and much more. The wireless technology ensures seamless connectivity with your smartphones enabling you to switch on the climate control system, unlock the vehicle & track your car effortlessly.

This results in a connected car which is gaining popularity due to emphasis on vehicle & customer safety. That is why PCB Assembly in Canada is increasing to meet the demands of Vehicle manufacturers. Read more