What are embedded PCBs, and when does embedding components justify the added cost? An embedded PCB is a printed circuit board with components built into its internal layers instead of mounted on its surface. The embedded parts are usually passives…
What US manufacturers need to know about RoHS restrictions Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is an EU directive that restricts the use of 10 hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sold within the European Union. Adopted in 2003…
Before beginning a PCB project, it’s important to have the right tools, the right settings, and a basic understanding of the soldering process. The tips below cover what actually separates a reliable hand-soldered joint from one that fails months later,…
Which PCB surface finish best fits your project’s requirements? An often-overlooked decision in printed circuit board design is choosing the right surface finish. At least nine different choices are commonly available, and the right one depends on factors specific to…
What factors actually determine the right enclosure for a PCB assembly? When designing and manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), the enclosure is as much a design decision as the board itself. Size, materials, environmental protection, and manufacturability all…
How do you keep counterfeit components out of a PCB assembly? Counterfeit component reports hit a ten-year high in 2024: ERAI recorded 1,055 suspect counterfeit and nonconforming component cases, up 25% year-over-year and the most since 2015. A late-2023/2024 industry…
What actually makes a PCB assembly reliable, not just functional? Printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), also called PWBs (Printed Wiring Boards) or CCAs (Circuit Card Assemblies), end up everywhere from remote controls to hospital equipment to aircraft systems. The cost…
What are the common PCB layout mistakes and how to avoid them? Printed circuit boards require careful, methodical design work. Even a small layout error can keep a board from functioning correctly or, worse, make it impossible to manufacture at…
What changes when a PCB design moves from prototype to mass production? A design that worked fine as a handful of prototype units doesn’t automatically translate cleanly into a production run of hundreds or thousands. The priorities shift: what mattered…
What are the different plating methods used in PCB manufacturing, and when does each one apply? Plating is the process of depositing a thin layer of metal, typically copper, nickel, or gold, onto specific areas of a printed circuit board…