Introduction Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential components in modern electronic devices, ranging from smartphones and computers to industrial equipment and medical devices. However, the cost of PCB manufacturing and assembly can significantly impact the overall budget of a project. In this article, we will discuss the top 7 tips Read more…
Introduction to Through-Hole Technology Through-hole technology has been a staple in printed circuit board (PCB) design and manufacturing for decades. Despite the rise of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and its advantages, through-hole components and designs remain relevant in today’s electronics industry. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the reasons Read more…
What is a Printing Wiring Board (PWB)? A Printing Wiring Board, or PWB, is a thin board made of insulating materials, such as fiberglass or plastic, with conductive pathways printed or etched onto its surface. These pathways, known as traces or tracks, are designed to connect various electronic components, such Read more…
What is a Microcontroller Circuit? A microcontroller circuit is a self-contained system with a microcontroller chip at its core that can be programmed to control electronic devices. It integrates a processor, memory, I/O peripherals, and other support circuitry onto a single chip or board. Some key characteristics of microcontroller circuits: Read more…
Introduction to Surface-Mount-Cleaning Surface-mount technology (SMT) has revolutionized the electronics manufacturing industry by enabling the production of smaller, lighter, and more complex printed circuit boards (PCBs). However, after the surface mount soldering process, it is crucial to clean the PCBs thoroughly to ensure optimal performance and longevity. In this comprehensive Read more…
What is Solder Mask and Why Does Color Matter? Solder mask, also known as solder resist or solder stop mask, is a thin lacquer-like layer of polymer applied to the copper traces of a printed circuit board (PCB). Its primary purpose is to prevent solder bridges from forming between closely Read more…
Introduction to PCB fabrication Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential components in modern electronics. They provide a stable and efficient way to connect electronic components, allowing for the creation of complex circuits. While PCBs are typically manufactured in specialized facilities, it is possible to create them at home with the Read more…
What is AD-to-Gerber Conversion? AD-to-Gerber is the process of converting circuit board design files created in Altium Designer (AD) into the industry-standard Gerber format. Gerber files contain all the necessary information for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs), including copper layers, solder mask, silk screen, and drill data. Converting AD files Read more…
Introduction to SMD Pads and Their Importance in PCB Design Surface Mount Device (SMD) pads are an essential component in modern Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. These pads provide the connection points for surface-mounted components, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, to be soldered onto the PCB. Accurately determining Read more…
What is a Raspberry Pi Expansion Board? A Raspberry Pi expansion board, also known as a “hat” or “shield”, is a printed circuit board (PCB) that plugs directly into the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins on the Raspberry Pi. These boards can add a wide range of features, such as Read more…