Understanding the Basics of Spring-loaded Pins Construction and Working Principle Spring-loaded pins consist of three main components: a plunger, a barrel, and a spring. The plunger is a movable pin that protrudes from one end of the barrel and is designed to make contact with the mating surface. The barrel […]

What is Countersinking? Countersinking is a machining process where a conical hole is cut into a manufactured object, or hole, to allow the head of a countersunk bolt or screw, when placed in the hole, to sit flush with or below the surface of the surrounding material. A countersink may […]

Understanding Solder Escape and Its Causes Solder escape, also known as solder wicking, is a common issue faced during the reflow soldering process in PCB Assembly. It occurs when molten solder flows or “escapes” away from the intended solder joint, often along the component leads or PCB traces. This unwanted […]

What are Fiducials in PCB Assembly? Fiducials, also known as fiducial marks or fiducial points, are small, precise reference marks placed on printed circuit boards (PCBs) to help align and position components during the assembly process. These marks serve as visual cues for automated assembly machines, ensuring accurate placement of […]

What is Metallization? Metallization is the process of coating a non-metallic substrate, such as plastic, ceramic, or glass, with a thin layer of metal. The Metallization Process involves depositing a thin film of metal onto the surface of the substrate material to give it metallic properties such as conductivity, reflectivity, […]

Introduction to Audio Delay Circuits An audio delay circuit is an electronic device that creates a time delay in an audio signal. By delaying and feeding back a portion of the audio signal, delay circuits can create echo, reverberation, chorus, flanging, and other time-based effects that add depth, spaciousness, and […]

Introduction to the LM323 Voltage Regulator The LM323 is a versatile and reliable 3-terminal adjustable voltage regulator capable of supplying over 3A of output current. Its robustness and ease-of-use have made it a popular choice for a wide range of power supply applications for over 40 years. In this comprehensive […]

Introduction to LM35 Temperature Sensor The LM35 is a precision integrated-circuit temperature sensor, whose output voltage is linearly proportional to the Celsius (Centigrade) temperature. It is a popular choice for measuring temperature in various applications due to its high accuracy, low self-heating, and easy interfacing with microcontrollers or other electronic […]

What is a PCB Trace? A printed circuit board (PCB) trace is a thin strip of copper or other conductive material that forms the interconnections between components on a PCB. Traces carry electrical signals and power between the various components soldered to the PCB. They are essentially the “wires” of […]

Understanding Lithium-Ion Battery Charging Charging Stages Lithium-ion batteries require a specific charging process to ensure safe and efficient operation. The charging process typically consists of three stages: Constant Current (CC) Stage: In this stage, the charger supplies a constant current to the battery, gradually increasing the battery voltage. The current […]