What is an HDI PCB Stackup? An HDI PCB stackup refers to the arrangement of conductive layers and insulating materials that make up the PCB. The stackup defines the number of layers, their order, and the interconnections between them. The choice of stackup directly impacts the performance, reliability, and manufacturing Read more…
What are Laser-Cut Stencils? Laser-cut stencils are precision-cut templates made using a laser cutting machine. The laser beam burns through the material, creating intricate designs and patterns with high accuracy and detail. Laser-cut stencils can be made from various materials such as paper, plastic, wood, or metal, depending on the Read more…
What is an SMT Stencil? An SMT stencil is a template used to apply solder paste onto the pads of a PCB during the SMT assembly process. The stencil has openings that match the size and location of the pads on the PCB, allowing for precise solder paste deposition. The Read more…
1. PCB Design Software PCB design software is used to create the layout and schematic of a PCB. Popular options include: Software Vendor Key Features Altium Designer Altium 3D modeling, real-time DRC, advanced routing Eagle Autodesk User-friendly interface, extensive part libraries KiCad Open source Free, cross-platform, growing community Choosing the Read more…
What is PCB Stackup? PCB stackup refers to the arrangement of copper and insulating layers that make up a printed circuit board (PCB). It is a critical aspect of PCB Design as it directly impacts the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of the final product. A well-designed PCB stackup ensures proper Read more…
Understanding Soldermask and CTI Soldermask, also known as solder resist, is a thin layer of polymer applied to the copper traces of a printed circuit board (PCB). Its primary purpose is to protect the copper from oxidation and prevent Solder Bridges from forming between closely spaced pads during the soldering Read more…
What is Soldermask Made Of? Soldermask is typically made of a photosensitive polymer that is applied to the PCB surface in liquid form. The most common types of soldermask are: Liquid Photoimageable Soldermask (LPISM): This is the most widely used type of soldermask. It is applied as a liquid and Read more…
What is a Gerber Viewer? A Gerber viewer is a software tool used to view and inspect Gerber files, which contain the design data needed to manufacture printed circuit boards (PCBs). Gerber files use the RS-274X format to describe the copper layers, solder mask, legend, and drill holes required to Read more…
What is a Drone Board? A drone board, also known as a flight controller, is the central processing unit of a drone. It is responsible for controlling the drone’s movements, managing its sensors, and communicating with the remote control. The drone board receives input from various sensors, such as accelerometers, Read more…
Introduction to PCB Surface Finishes Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential components in modern electronics, providing a platform for mounting and interconnecting electronic components. The surface finish of a PCB plays a crucial role in its performance, reliability, and manufacturability. Two popular surface finish options are Hot Air Solder Leveling Read more…