Introduction Printed circuit boards (PCBs) serve as the foundation of electronics products, providing the mechanical structure and electrical connections for components. While traditionally made using commercial fabrication, advances in technology now enable DIY PCB prototyping at home. Home PCB fabrication allows rapid design iteration, customization, and cost savings. This guides […]

Introduction A PCB antenna is an antenna constructed using the same laminate material and manufacturing processes used for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Instead of or in addition to copper traces, the PCB contains carefully shaped copper antenna elements on one or more layers to radiate and receive electromagnetic waves. PCB […]

Introduction to PCB stencils A PCB stencil is a thin metal sheet that is used to apply solder paste onto a printed circuit board (PCB) during the surface mount assembly process. The stencil has cutouts that match the pad layout on the PCB, allowing solder paste to be squeezed through […]

Introduction to PCB Etching Printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication involves multiple processes that transform the electrical circuit board design into a physical board. One of the most critical steps is PCB etching. Etching forms the conductive copper traces on the PCB that provide the electrical connections between components. The etching […]

Introduction Printed circuit boards (PCBs) provide the foundation for electronics products by mechanically supporting and electrically connecting electronic components using conductive pathways or traces. PCB design involves schematic capture, layout, routing, and design verification to transform circuit requirements into a manufacturable board. As PCBs have grown more complex, specialized PCB […]

Introduction Silkscreen, also known as the solder mask, is a thin layer of epoxy or other material applied on top of a printed circuit board (PCB) to protect the copper traces from oxidation and prevent solder bridges from forming between closely spaced pads during assembly. The solder mask defines the […]

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) and printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) are crucial components in electronics, but the terms are sometimes used incorrectly. Understanding the distinction between PCB and PCBA aids communication across product design and manufacturing. This article clarifies the unique meanings to distinguish bare boards from assembled boards containing […]

Introduction Printed circuit boards (PCBs) serve as the core foundation of electronics, providing the interconnects between components. While PCB fabrication involves transforming base laminates into etched circuitry, PCB assembly integrates the components and soldering to turn that bare board into a functional printed circuit assembly (PCA). For any electronic device […]

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) provide the foundation for electronics packaging and component assembly. PCB thickness is a critical design parameter impacting manufacturing capabilities, utilization, and reliability. Selecting suitable laminate thicknesses requires understanding industry conventions, constraints, and use case tradeoffs. This article explores common PCB substrate thicknesses across typical applications along […]

The United States was once home to a thriving printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing industry. However, like many electronics sectors, economic factors led to extensive offshoring of production to Asia from the 1990s onwards. This article examines whether any PCB fabrication still exists on American soil. The Rise and Fall […]