Engineers often need PCB or printed circuit boards in their electronic projects to support the device’s functioning and conductivity. For each project, the requirements of PCB can be different. For instance, a device developed for daily use may need a PCB with different materials, board thickness, copper thickness., etc.
It is important to define your project before buying a PCB. Each project may have different requirements, and not all PCBs with one standard are capable of fulfilling them. You may need to pay a lot of attention to how to choose PCB material, PCB thickness, PCB copper thickness, etc., to get your projects done perfectly.
In this article, we will help you step by step in finding the right type of PCB for your project.
Key Takeaways:
1. Define Your Project
2. Understand the Type of PCB required for your Project
3. How to Choose PCB Material
4. Finding the Right Manufacturer of PCBs
5. How to Buy Ready to use PCBs?
6. How to Choose Copper Thickness
7. Why it is Important to Consider the Thickness of the PCBs
8. How to Choose PCB Thickness for Your Project
1. Define Your Project
Before buying or even ordering a PCB for your project, you should understand the type of your project functions and usage. Once you understand the complexity involved in the project, you will be able to choose the right type of PCB.
When defining your project ask yourself, is it a straightforward gadget, a communication system, a power supply, or a complex embedded system? The nature of your project will define the type of PCB you will need.
PCB Bare Board
2. Understand the Type of PCB required for your Project
Once you have understood the type of your project, you will now have an idea of the type of PCB you need for your project. Before buying a PCB for your project, you will need to evaluate the risk involved in the project. Every project carries its own level of risk. Evaluate how critical reliability is for your application. Class 1, 2, or 3 PCBs offer different levels of assurance, with Class 3 being the top tier for high-reliability applications like medical, automotive and aerospace.
3. How to Choose PCB Material
Choosing the right PCB material is like selecting a foundation for a building—critical for the stability and longevity of your electronic project. Consider the nature of your application, whether it involves high-frequency signals, extreme temperatures, or exposure to harsh environments. The commonly used FR-4 material is a versatile choice, but if your project demands specific characteristics, explore alternatives like Rogers for high-frequency applications or materials designed for elevated temperatures. Balancing performance requirements with budget constraints is key, ensuring that the chosen material meets industry standards for quality and reliability.
Consulting with your PCB manufacturer is a wise step, as they can provide valuable insights based on their experience. They may recommend materials that align with your project’s unique needs and adhere to industry standards. Keep an eye on factors like signal integrity, environmental resistance, and potential scalability for future modifications, ensuring that your selected PCB material serves as a robust foundation for your electronic endeavor.
4. Finding the Right Manufacturer of PCBs
Picking the right manufacturer is like choosing the perfect teammate. Look into their track record – have they successfully handled projects similar to yours? Are they known for adhering to industry standards? Scrutinize their capabilities to ensure they align with your project’s unique specifications and timelines.
- Clear Guidelines: Look for a manufacturer with clear guidelines. This ensures they have a structured approach, preventing processing errors. It also helps in maintaining consistency throughout the production process, backed by a lucid production manual and effective training.
- Quality Materials: Check the quality of materials used. Are they sourced from reliable vendors, or are cheaper alternatives affecting the overall quality? Consistency matters, so ensure they use the same materials for each production lot.
- Certifications: Verify if the manufacturer has essential certifications, like UL 94V-0 and ISO9001 certificates. Certification ensures the boards meet necessary safety standards.
- Testing Procedures: Inquire about their testing procedures. A good manufacturer conducts complete connectivity testing on the PCB boards after production, ensuring reliability and functionality.
- Capability Check: Assess their capability to handle your project. Do they have the necessary equipment and expertise for cutting-edge technology designs? Ensure their capabilities align with your specific PCB requirements.
- Timely Delivery: Consider the delivery time. If you’re working with a manufacturer on a budget, check if they can meet your timeline requirements. A company that efficiently manages schedules can ensure timely delivery of your PCB boards.
Finding the right PCB manufacturer involves considering these factors to guarantee the production of reliable and efficient circuit boards for your electronic gadgets and computers.
5. How to Buy Custom PCBs?
But, if you need to order as custom PCB for your own projects, here are a few things to consider:
- Check the Manufacturer’s Offerings: Determine if the manufacturer offers options for short runs or standard sizes. Opt for cost-effective sets instead of committing to large batches for custom boards when a small quantity is needed.
- Have a Circuit Design and Schematic First: Create a schematic using available software tools. Simulate and test the circuit’s behavior with at least one functional prototype before ordering boards.
- Find Resources on PCB Design: Explore the design solutions provided by manufacturers. Utilize these resources to streamline the PCB design process.
- Use Dimensions of Standard-Size Boards: Align your project’s design with standard-size board dimensions. This ensures the manufacturer can produce it at the specified price without considering it a custom job.
- Double-Check the Design: Thoroughly review your design, prototype, and board layout. Confirm accuracy to avoid costly replacements in both time and money.
- Check Your Boards for Defects: Inspect PCBs upon delivery for shipping damage and manufacturing defects. Look for undrilled holes, broken boards, or incomplete tracks before starting the soldering process.
By following these points, you can navigate the PCB selection and ordering process more efficiently, ensuring a smoother and error-free production of your circuit boards.
FR-4 Printed Circuit Board
6. How to Choose Copper Thickness
The PCB thickness can have a significant impact on your project. A thicker PCB is highly functional. But just because a thick PCB is better doesn’t mean you always need it. Here are a few things to consider when considering the PCB copper thickness.
- Consider the Current Requirements: Determine the amount of current that will flow through the traces on your PCB. Higher currents require thicker copper to avoid overheating and ensure proper conductivity.
- Balance Between Thickness and Space: Thicker copper provides lower resistance and better current-carrying capacity. However, it also occupies more space on the board. Strike a balance based on the available space and the current-carrying requirements.
- Standard Copper Thickness: The most common standard copper thickness options are 1oz, 2oz, and 3oz copper. For most applications, 1oz copper is enough. But you may need a thicker option for high-power applications.
- High-Frequency Considerations: For high-frequency applications, thinner copper traces may be preferred to reduce skin effects and signal distortion. In such cases, 0.5oz or 1oz copper might be suitable.
- Heat Dissipation Requirements: Thicker copper helps in better heat dissipation. If your application involves components that generate a significant amount of heat, opting for thicker copper can contribute to improved thermal management.
- Cost Considerations: Thicker copper adds to the manufacturing cost of the PCB. Consider your budget constraints and evaluate whether the benefits of thicker copper justify the additional cost.
- Manufacturer’s Capabilities: Check with your PCB manufacturer to ensure they can handle the desired copper thickness. Some manufacturers may specialize in certain thickness ranges, and exceeding their capabilities could lead to increased costs or production challenges.
- Consult Design Guidelines: Refer to the design guidelines provided by your PCB manufacturer. They can help you understand how to choose PCB copper thickness based on the type of application and manufacturing processes.
- IPC Standards: The IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) provides industry standards for PCB design. Refer to IPC-2152 or other relevant standards for guidance on how to choose PCB copper thickness based on current-carrying requirements.
- Future Considerations: Anticipate any future design changes or upgrades. Choosing a slightly thicker copper than currently needed may provide flexibility for future enhancements.
In summary, the choice of PCB copper thickness depends on factors such as current requirements, available space, frequency considerations, heat dissipation needs, cost constraints, and manufacturer capabilities. Evaluate these factors carefully to select the copper thickness that best suits your specific application.
7. Why it is important to Consider the Thickness of the PCBs:
The thickness of a PCB is like the backbone of your electronic project. The thickness helps us understand how much power it can handle. Here are some of the benefits of buying the right thickness of the PCB:
- Power Handling: Thicker PCBs with thicker substrate can handle more power without getting power isolation issues. So, it matters a lot if you’re dealing with a powerful electronic gadget.
- Structural Support: PCBs will be used as supportive structures to hold many components on it. If there are many heavy components, we need to design a thicker PCB which is more robust, to avoid bending or damage.
- Keeping It Cool: Thicker PCBs also help with heat. Just like a thick highway can handle more cars without overheating, a thicker PCB can handle more power without getting too hot. This is crucial for electronic devices that generate a lot of heat during operation.
- Flexible vs. Sturdy: Picture a thick book versus a thin magazine. Thicker PCBs are like the book – sturdier and less likely to bend. This sturdiness can be important, especially if your device faces rough handling or needs to support heavy components. But if your devices need to be bendable, we can design the PCBs as thin as possible, such as flexible PCBs that can be 0.1mm thick.
- Space Considerations: Think of your PCB like a city’s layout. Thicker PCBs can be produced by big, so it can have more space, just like a wider road needs more room.
8. How to Choose PCB Thickness for your Project
We have talked about the importance of choosing the right PCB thickness above. Here, we discuss about to how to choose the correct PCB thickness.
- Keep Standard Thickness if Possible: It is easier to produce for PCB manufacturers if the PCB thickness is at normal standard, and the manufacturing cost is also cheaper. For example, the type thickness for rigid FR-4 PCB thickness is 1.6mm, and for flexible PCB, it is around 0.1mm.
- Culsutlt PCB Manufacturers: If your device needs PCB with much thicker or thinner thickness, it is better to ask your PCB manufacturer if they are possible to produce and how to reduce the cost and enhance quality.
Conclusion:
PCB is so important in your project. When buying a PCB, always remember to consider its board thickness, copper thickness, material types, design, and cost. Remember, the right PCB depends on the type of your project. If you choose the wrong PCB, your project may not work effectively.