Insight Technology – Track Width & Isolation Gap Tolerances

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Definition of Tolerance for Manufacturing

Manufacturing tolerances are the amount of variation that is allowed in a measurement or other characteristic of an object.

Ref: Collins English Dictionary

We continue with our series on Understanding Tolerances on a PCB with our latest guide:

Track Width & Isolation Gap Tolerances.

Track widths and isolation gaps are important as they define the maximum current load, impedance values and generally electronic signal integrity for a PCB.

The values defined in the CAD system based on a “Right First Time Design for Manufacturing” and the required functionality of the PCB.

One thing that must be remembered is that the track widths and isolation gaps are linked, you cannot have one without the other.

If the track is over etched (smaller track width) then the isolation gap is increased, if the track is under etched (larger track width) then the isolation gap will decrease.

In the worst-case scenario, under etching may result in the copper between the tracks is not be fully etched away resulting in short circuits.

But the etching process is only part of the story and as a manufacturer we must manage all the factors that influence the final track width & isolation gap, as listed below.

  • Base Copper Thickness.
  • Type of Imaging Process (Di vs Conventional).
  • Copper Balance.
  • The Etching Process.

We produce all our boards according to the IPC-A-600 Acceptability of Printed Boards  (Industrial products).

To read more and see our video on how and why these factors influence the final track width & isolation gap on a PCB simply click on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insight Technology – Finished Hole Size Tolerances

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Definition of Tolerance for Manufacturing

Manufacturing tolerances are the amount of variation that is allowed in a measurement

or other characteristic of an object.

Ref: Collins English Dictionary

Tolerances are everywhere, they are applied to everything that is manufactured whether it is a simple screw, a mobile phone or a spacecraft, they are all affected by tolerances and PCB’s are no different.

Even our domestic electricity has a tolerance, for example in Europe it is approx. +/- 6%.

When you design a new product, you do so with a specific set of dimensions in mind, these are known as the nominal dimensions.

However, these must have a tolerance, no matter how small (or large) they must exist to allow for cost effective manufacture.

We should all know that the smaller (tighter) the tolerance the higher the cost of manufacture will be.

For industrial PCB production there are international standards for these tolerances. We produce all our boards according to the “IPC-A-600 Acceptability of Printed Boards” version F (http://www.ipc.org/TOC/IPC-A-600F.pdf) Class II (Industrial products).

Using the Eurocircuits Insight Technology platform together with Eurocircuits TV we have created a series of informative guides that help explain these manufacturing tolerances.

Our first guide in this series is:

Finished Hole Size Tolerances

The finished hole size on a PCB is affected by the following factors:

  • Type of Hole – Plated, Non-Plated or Via.
  • Nominal Hole Size vs available Drill Bit Sizes.
  • Drill Bit Size Tolerance.
  • Drill Bit Wear during use.
  • Hole Cleaning (Desmear).
  • The Plating Process and Copper Balance.
  • The Final Surface Finish of the PCB.

To read more on how and why these factors influence the finished hole size on a PCB simply click on the button below.

 

 

 

eC-reflow-mate v4 Promotion

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eC-reflow-mate v4 Promotion

 

Have you ever needed to build a prototype PCB at the last minute, the first one failed but you’ve identified the problem and with a small manual modification to the circuit on your spare PCB you could prove it works!

The problem is soldering the components to the PCB, you could send it out but that would take time and as time-to-market is critical it’s would be faster and easier to do it in-house, but how?

Eurocircuits are all too aware of this problem and that’s why we developed our range of compact Benchtop PCB Assembly equipment, designed to give you the flexibility when you most need it, at that critical point in your development process.

The range of eC-equipment developed by Eurocircuits allows you to take a bare board and assemble it easily in house, there is even a hand held functional tester available, the eC-test-mate.

We have launched a promotion for our best seller the eC-reflow-mate oven.

The eC-reflow-mate oven gives an even temperature across the board with full user control throughout the soldering process.

It is controlled by the eC-reflow-pilot software which allows the user to define and store an unlimited number of temperature and time profiles, it also allows for the monitoring of the exact process for each board.

Separate sensors can be used to measure and display the temperature profile on the actual board.

It is a great solution for your in-house benchtop assembly requirements.

Order the eC-reflow-mate now and combine it with any additional eC-equipment and receive a 10% Discount on these items. This discount will also apply to any other Off the shelf items (we have a range of accessories and consumables available) that are checked out at the same time (as in one order).

Below is the full range of our eC-equipment, just click on the links to find out more.

This promotion will run from now until 31-07-2019.

Read what our users say about our eC-equipment just click here.

 

 

 

Eurocircuits Introduces – PCB Prototype 3+3 Service

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Eurocircuits Introduces – PCB Prototype 3+3 Service

 

Eurocircuits understands that Time-to-Market is crucial for developers as they need to meet shorter lead-times to maximise the potential of their new products.

Since the beginning of 2019 we have developed and introduced new software, manufacturing processes and equipment that allows us to reduce the manufacturing and assembly time of your PCB prototypes.

Using these new tools we are very excited to introduce you to our new

PCB Prototype 3+3 Service

Fast & Easy

Your PCB Prototypes manufactured in 3 working days and Assembled in 3 working days as standard, helping you to meet your Time-to-Market challenges.

Reducing our standard delivery term from 12 working days to 6 working days……….that’s 50% faster!

 

Have your Prototypes Manufactured & Assembled

In Europe by Eurocircuits

………………..Why Wait!!………………..