What Are the Different Types of PCBs?
PCB units exist in several forms for diverse applications. Selecting an appropriate build for a product will require an engineer to consider the intended use of a device, its dimensions and its power specifications. Review the following to understand the types of printed circuit boards and which varieties are suitable for your endeavors:
Single-sided PCBs: PCB fabrication involves making the circuit board out of one layer of substrate and a thin layer of metal. All components are soldered onto a single side.
Double-sided PCBs: A type of PCB where conductive metal sheets are applied to both sides of a substrate.
Holes may be drilled through the center of the circuit board to allow connections to run to both sides.
Multilayer PCBs: A minimum of three double-layered PCBs stacked on top of one another with several layers of insulation to limit heat transfer. Special adhesive glues keep the series of PCBs together.
Flexible PCBs: Printed circuit boards showcasing flexible substrates to help engineers adapt to compact product shapes. The technology may exist in the form of single-sided, double-sided or multilayer builds.
Rigid PCBs: Useful for consumer products that keep the same shape throughout their life span. Rigid PCBs are manufactured using rugged substrates that resist twisting.
Rigid-flex PCBs: Printed circuit boards using both rigid and flexible materials. These configurations allow product developers to save space, as rigid and flexible connection methods may be included on the same circuit board.
Aluminum-backed PCBs: A type of PCB that substitutes an aluminum substrate where fiberglass would be. Designed for use with high-power PCB electronics like LED lights.
High-frequency PCBs: Circuit board engineered to send signals as strong as 2 GHz.
What Are PCBs Made From?
The PCB fabrication process looks different based on the intended purpose of the unit and how much power is necessary to make an electronic device function. Before selecting the materials for a circuit board assembly, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the four main parts of a PCB unit:
Substrate: The structural frame of the circuit board — all components fasten to this surface.
Laminates: Materials that hold all PCB layers together.
Solder mask: Sits on top of copper foils for isolation purposes and shields connections from environmental elements.
Silkscreen: Fastens to the solder mask so components can be labeled.
What is a schematic?
A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols instead of realistic pictures.
What are the deliverables for PCB Layout service?
For PCB Layout service orders, the following data will be provided in the output file:
Full Gerber datasets including Drill files (Circuit layers, Mask layers,Silk layers, Outline, Drill layers, Paste layers)
Pick & Place data
Final Bill of Material file
Project Netlist and PDF file
What types of materials are commonly used to make rigid PCBs?
FR4 material
High signal speed material
High-speed FR4 substrate with DF 1Ghz.
High-speed FR4 substrate with Df 10Ghz
Low Df ceramic material, performance at 10Ghz
PTFE material or reinforced PTFE material
High-temperature PTFE material
What type of fabrication techniques are used to make rigid PCBs?
There are many fabrication techniques used to make rigid PCBs. The following steps are included in most techniques.
Lamination
Drilling
Copper plating
Copper etching
Solder mask
Surface Finish
Components silkscreen
Depanelization
Testing
What types of testing do rigid PCBs undergo?
Electrical Test for Open and short
AOI (Automated Optical Inspection)
TDR Impedance test
Hi Potential Testing
Visual Defects Inspection
Solderability Test
Thermal Test
Tape Test
Peel Test
Ionic Contamination Test
How long does it take to produce a rigid PCB?
The following is about the time needed to produce rigid PCBs in Richfulljoy.
It takes 1-5 days for quick turn rigid PCBs.
1-2 weeks are taken for prototype and small series production of rigid PCBs.
2-4 weeks are spent on the mass production of rigid PCBs.
What are the main difference: Rigid PCB vs flex PCB?
The main difference between rigid PCB board and flex PCB board are:
1), They are produced by different material: rigid circuit boards are produced by FR4, ceramic, metal core, PTFE etc, all of them are rigid (can not be bent), while flexible PCB are produced by polyimide(PI), PET, Kapton matrial which can be bent thousands of times;
2), If they are bendable or not: rigid PCB is not bendable, but flex PCB is bendable;
3), They have different usage: rigid circuit boards are used in the electronic devices which do not move, but flex circuit boards are used in devices which always move, such as cameras, laptops, cellphones, moving probes etc.
How much does it cost to produce a rigid PCB?
It is difficult to say how many a rigid PCB is. The following is about the main factors which affect the cost of rigid PCB.
Base material type
Layer counts of the rigid PCB
Copper thickness
The thickness of the rigid PCB
Layup structure
Blind/Buried vias
Surface finishes
Special technology or requirement
What are some of the benefits of using rigid PCBs?
Rigid PCBs are the most widely used PCBs. It’s main benefits are:
High dimensional stability
High reliability
Low-cost