Printed Circuit Board Blog

Custom circuit boards could be the best solution for your application

July 12, 2022
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A custom circuit board can be found in highly specialized electronic devices. Traditionally, many circuit boards were based on the same model, in part because bespoke custom builds were prohibitively expensive. In more recent years however, due to rapid progression …

How to choose a PCB Prototype Manufacturer for your electronic device

June 23, 2022
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Choosing a Suitable PCB Prototype Manufacturer for Your Electronic Device Prototyping is a key stage in every major industry, and electronic devices are certainly no exception. An effective prototype can actually help speed-up production development and reduce costs. Read on …

Sponsorship Highlight: Illini Solar Car

July 31, 2021
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Bay Area Circuits believes in the importance of STEM education and values supporting the scientists, engineers, and mathematicians of tomorrow. We are committed to helping students grow professionally in their industry. To do so, we sponsor multiple project-based collegiate clubs, …

July 19, 2021
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Silicon Valley, CA – July 19, 2021 – Bay Area Circuits, Inc., a leading manufacturer of quick-turn printed circuit boards (PCBs), today announced the release of a significant update to its automated, online Design for Manufacturability (DFM) tool, InstantDFM™. In …

Routing Signals Between PCB Layers

June 30, 2021
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Part 1: An ESD Example Signal Current Flow in a Layer Transition Abstract: Printed circuit board, PCB, signal paths must often change layers in a board stackup. Under some conditions this can cause problems. An ESD example is used to …

An Overview of LPI Soldermask and the PCB Manufacturing Process

May 31, 2021
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Liquid Photoimageable (LPI) Soldermask For many years the only color you would see on a printed circuit board was green. Maybe a military influence? The color of the printed circuit board is only a small part of the consideration for …

An Introduction to Controlled Impedance for PCBs

April 30, 2021
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What is Controlled Impedance? Electrical impedance is the measure of the opposition (resistance) that a circuit presents to the passage of a current when a voltage is applied in an alternating current circuit. It is represented by Zo: Electrical …

Cross Section Analysis: Inside a PCB

March 31, 2021
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Cross-Section Analysis How can the internal quality of a printed circuit board be inspected and verified using cross section analysis? We previously published an article that talked about IPC Inspection guidelines that provides an overview of the standards used in …

An Expert’s Guide to PCB Surface Finishes

February 28, 2021
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Applying the surface finish is one of the last steps of manufacturing a printed circuit board. The surface finish on a PCB is typically applied after the soldermask process and is designed to prevent oxidation of the remaining exposed copper, …

Learn from a Fabricator; Time and Money Saving Design Rules

January 31, 2021
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As a PCB fabricator we’re frequently asked, “What are your basic design rules?” Typically what designers are looking for are some guidelines to follow when designing a PCB layout, though this could mean a variety of things. Over the years …

What is Controlled Impedance and How Is It Measured?

December 31, 2020
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One of the most common examples of controlled impedance is the cable that connects the antenna to your television. That cable may be a coaxial cable consisting of a round, inner conductor, separated from the outer cylindrical conductor commonly called …

Cost Determining Factors When Quoting PCBs

November 30, 2020
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Customers and/or buyers who are relatively new to the printed circuit board (PCB) industry may sometimes be confused as to how a particular project is priced by the fabricator. In this post we’ll demystify the factors used by fabricators to …

Surface Finish Characteristics & Applications for Printed Circuit Boards

October 31, 2020
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Surface Finish Considerations The PCB Surface Finish you select may be the most important material decision you make for your electronic assembly. The Surface Finish you select will influence the cost, manufacturability, quality, and reliability of the final product. Just …

ENEPIG Plating – A Guide to the Evolution of PCB Finishes

September 30, 2020
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The evolution of technology manufacturing is always moving towards a higher level of complexity. Newer designs have to be lighter, faster and smaller with every iteration of the next device. Not only do we continue to move towards more complex …

Picking The Right Trace Width for Your Next PCB Design

August 31, 2020
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A factor to consider when designing single-layer and multi-layer PCBs is trace width. As with other design factors for PCBs, requirements for a good trace width can impact the size and layout of a PCB. Reducing PCB size may reduce costs, but there’s still a need to ensure you have sufficient...

Secrets of Designing Printed Circuit Boards for Excellence

July 31, 2020
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Designing for excellence requires a disciplined approach of keeping the reliability of the PCB at the forefront of the design process. The performance of the PCB isn’t of much consequence if the board fails prematurely due to low-grade components or unaccounted for peak current...

10 Tips to Ensure PCB Assembly Success

June 30, 2020
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As a bare printed circuit board manufacturer, we’ve written extensively on topics related to ensuring that the PCB fabrication process goes smoothly. But what about the PCB assembly process? What steps should be taken to ensure a high-quality, cost-effective outcome?

Are You Providing Your PCB Manufacturer With the Correct Files?

May 31, 2020
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You’ve completed a PCB design and are ready to send the design to be manufactured. But the file export process isn’t always straightforward, and, depending on the PCB manufacturer, specific requirements may vary. Here are some helpful design file guidelines...

HASL or ENIG? A Comparison Guide for the Surface Finishes

April 30, 2020
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If you’ve ever had a circuit board professionally manufactured, you have likely been asked your choice between HASL and ENIG surface finishes. From solderability to cost, these two finishes can’t possibly be more different. While some engineers have a tried and true favorite, you may be left...

High Temperature PCB Design Considerations

March 31, 2020
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Printed Circuit Boards are indispensable electronic devices, but sometimes engineers are faced with temperature constraints that force them to think outside the box. In this article, we will be giving a high-level overview of designing a high temperature circuit board, and along the way we will...