About the manufacturing of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards).

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0answers
47 views

pcb assembly already preroute [closed]

i have a problem with altium designer, i search to create a project with only one pcb and one sheet which brings together pcbs already preroute. I already create several project and now I want to ...
-2
votes
4answers
176 views

Software to design a 2-sided PCB with discrete components [duplicate]

I'm quite new to PCB Fabrication. I have a circuit with discrete components on a breadboard. I would like to fabricate this circuit into a 2-sided PCB containing discrete components. Something like ...
6
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5answers
275 views

Home made PCB etching problem

I just tried to make my first PCB at home, but it did not work. I don't know what went wrong, so I'd appreciate some advice. I was using the photoresist method, so I printed my circuit on a ...
2
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1answer
86 views

PCB vias impact in cost

Often times I read comments/recommendations about placing lots of vias for GND in 4-layer designs, as well as a line-up of vias surrounding the board to protect from EMI, etc. I was always under the ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views

Heat Sink for SOT223

I am designing PCB a in which I am placing a BSP296 N-channel MOSFET, for switching solenoids: MOSFET supply voltage is 24V MOSFET max power dissipation is 1.8W Max operating temperature is 150°C. ...
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1answer
70 views

PCB Fab House Options [closed]

I'm ramping up to have some boards fabricated in bulk. On small runs, OSH Park definitely seems to be the best I've seen but for the final product I need more customization than any of the "shared ...
6
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1answer
164 views

How are these pcb pads made?

We want to design a pcb module that should be soldered directly onto customer pcbs (exactly like ICs ect.) I found a module which does exactly that, please see pdf. ...
10
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2answers
213 views

How paint an electronic circuit?

I want to make a electronic circuit more hidden. So, I want to make it all black. The easy way is get a spray ink and use it. But will it work? Which ink or paint I can use?
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2answers
200 views

Where can I order flexible PCBs? [closed]

Question Where can I order flexible PCBs online? Does such a service exist form which I can order complete flexible PCBs with components already soldered down? Where? Background I'm in the ...
1
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1answer
109 views

Eagle 6 : Problem Importing Custom Parts

Recently started working on a new PCB board for a dev kit. I ran in an issue where I had made a custom part for the M50-3501042 2x10 male header with 0.05'' (1.27mm) pitch. Note also that this is a ...
2
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0answers
162 views

How to cut PCB? [closed]

This is actually an answer to a thread that was recently "protected" before this answer could be posted. I've tried various saw blades on FR-4 but it dulls them too quickly. A hacksaw works but I ...
1
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0answers
48 views

Gerber file edits

I'm making my own PCBs at home and I'm using KiCAD to layout the boards and create the Gerber files. From the files I'm making my template which I transfer to my boards and then finish the etching ...
18
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1answer
542 views

Why is “silkscreen” called that way?

Why is the set of white labels on a PCB called the "silkscreen"?
1
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1answer
65 views

Home made PCBs - chemical temp questions

I'm trying my hand at making my own PCBs. Using the positive photo development method and ammonium persulphate for etching. Does anyone know how long the etchent can be kept once mixed before it ...
0
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0answers
97 views

How are the prepreg & core selected for a 6 layer (1 oz each) and 93mil PCB thickness?

I would appreciate your help. How is defined the number of prepreg and Core dielectrics for a 6 layer (1 Oz each) and the total 93 mil tickness of the PCB?
1
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0answers
99 views

CircuitCam 6.1 Alternative

I just got an old LPKF 91s PCB mill, from another department at my school. The mill came with 2 broken computers. I have just finished setting up the mill to work with a "new" computer. I got ...
3
votes
1answer
263 views

How do I get an Excellon Drill file with 2.4 precision and trailing zero suppression out of EAGLE?

I'm trying to output CAM data from EAGLE 6.2.0 to get some PCBs made at Advanced Circuits. Their preferred NC drill format (particularly the one used by their online FreeDFM tool) is Excellon ...
1
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5answers
207 views

PCB Prototyping and Fabrication

I have been working on a project for the past four months. Most of my development have been on breadboards and prototyping boards. I am now in the stage where I want to get a PCB printed and ...
0
votes
2answers
95 views

Buried via annular ring size

How do you decide the minimum annular ring size of a buried via? I remember to have seen one manufacture list this, but generally I can't find the size on manufacture websites.
3
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1answer
76 views

How is it possible to create wires/circuits that are nanometer in size?

This image from wikipedia shows - An array of 17 purpose-built oxygen-depleted titanium dioxide memristors built at HP Labs, imaged by an atomic force microscope. The wires are about 50 nm, ...
1
vote
1answer
201 views

How to export Slots in Altium?

I made my first PCB with slots, and Altium is generation two .txt files...one for the drills, and one for the slots...how do I combine them to send it to the manufacture?
4
votes
3answers
110 views

Methods of sliding PCB in straight line on drill press

I use a drill press like the first one in the linked answer at home for drilling my PCBs. If there was a way of sliding a PCB along a straight line left-to-right (or front-to-back) it would make ...
1
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6answers
443 views

How to hand drill PCBs?

Drilling 300 holes in fibre board is tedious, difficult to do neatly and prone to snap bits. What simple methods and tools are available to the home user to drill PCBs effectively? In my case it's ...
3
votes
2answers
425 views

PCB Trace inductance

I am planning to do a high current (200A+) PWM in a PCB and I am afraid the PCB traces inductances will be a huge problem...so I have some questions: 1- How may calculate the trace inductance? 2- As ...
6
votes
3answers
279 views

What is this adhesive tape that comes in some parts?

I think this is a Mylar tape, but why they come with it? I guess its so to make the Pick and Place machine job easier? And why is so common to find them holding cables inside some laptops? Just ...
1
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0answers
237 views

0.5mm Pitch BGA Fanout - Reasonable Vias, Drills, Traces and Clearances

I'm pretty new to layout and using Altium. I need to break out a 0.5mm pitch Spartan 6 BGA, I want to use "reasonable" vias, drills, traces, etc... but I don't really know what that means now a ...
4
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2answers
128 views

Cost difference of different Vias

I would like to know what could be typical cost difference of : Through hole via (say x $) Blind Via Buried Via in a high dense PCB. Which is costlier & Why?
3
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1answer
97 views

preserving printed circuit boards

How can we preserve Printed Circuit Boards without causing any damage to the boards in any conditions (air, cold, heat) while we are not using them for a long time?
3
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5answers
245 views

Covering PCB Pads

I have a PCB that was poorly designed and there is a ground pad that is too close to a signal pad. As a result, the signal pad on the surface mount component will short to ground. I was looking to use ...
1
vote
3answers
172 views

Feasibility Question and Advice on CAD software

For a hobby project I have bread boarded, I am considering using a pair detectors that operate as a single use physical barrier. When hit by a projectile, a trace is broken allowing +5VDC to to ...
1
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2answers
141 views

What would be the best approach to align a photomask onto a PCB panel?

Issue: Alignment of photomask to reference holes drilled When making PCB in panel form, the reference holes are usually drilled at 4 corners of panel to allow alignment of photomask to the PCB board. ...
5
votes
3answers
163 views

how to purchase simple custom devices with low quantities?

We have need for a few simple devices, mostly as adapters and connectors between other devices. One example is: 6-pin Molex connector with 20-30V between two pins 24V to 12V DC-DC voltage converter ...
8
votes
3answers
774 views

Feasibility of PCB edge plating?

How feasible is it to edge plate a PCB or at least a portion of one? I've seen it done but as I understand the outer edge is only cut after plating at most fab houses. Is this something that's ...
5
votes
3answers
286 views

Questions with overhanging silkscreens in eagle cad

I am currently using several footprints in my pcb design which have tPlace silkscreens that extend beyond the board boundaries, and I was wondering what the implications of such silkscreens are since ...
3
votes
1answer
316 views

Eagle V6 and CNC router

Any one used Eagle V6 and CNC router to produce prototype PCB boards. I have a high res CNC router HighZ1000-s/T which accepts G-code and HPGL. I am pretty sure that at the end of the day it will well ...
10
votes
1answer
459 views

How are multi-layer PCBs made?

I know how normal PCBs are etched, but every time I grab a magnifying glass and examine the edge of a multi-layer board I'm astounded by the precision that must be required during production. On top ...
4
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1answer
1k views

Difference between drill layer, hole layer, and milling layer in Eagle

What is the difference between the drill layer (44), the hole layer (45), and the milling layer (46) in Eagle PCB?
2
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1answer
386 views

How do I calculate the proper width of a copper trace based on a given gauge (AWG) of wire?

I am designing a PCB which I will etch at home, but I need to know how to convert a wire gauge into the proper corresponding width of a copper track on the PCB. Is there a standard formula for this?
5
votes
2answers
208 views

Flexible-PCBs: what data is needed for manufacturers?

Can someone explain more about how you generate data for flexible or flexi-rigid PCBs for manufacture? Do I just make more layers and export more gerber files? Is there anything I need to keep in mind ...
5
votes
2answers
204 views

What would be the easiest method of removing FR-4 from a FCBGA chip

Does anyone know of any method of decapsulating a FCBGA chip that uses FR-4 as its exterior packaging ? I am interested in studying the internals of such chips and others as a hobby. I understand that ...
2
votes
1answer
247 views

8 layer PCB with Gold plating for each inner layer and immersion gold for all out layers?

it is just a 8 layers PCB with min line 4mil ,6mil holes in a 10 mil pads, Can somebody tell me why we need gold plating for each inner layer while immerison nickel gold for all out layers.
2
votes
2answers
242 views

Questions About PCBs

I understand what they are but i have a few questions... What are the multi layers on a pcb (i understand 1 and 2 is front back but what about 3, 4 ,5 etc.) In ...
2
votes
3answers
230 views

Photoetching: Developed photoresist coating sticks to the PCB

I've been practicing making PCBs using the photoetching process and I've come across a problem which I I haven't seen mentioned much on the Internet. When I put the exposed board in the developer, ...
3
votes
4answers
958 views

Why do we call it a “board spin”? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Interesting/Unusual/Old Electronics nomenclature I've been getting into some minor board design work lately, and got confused a few times, because some of my colleagues ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views

Vias not visible after Eagle Cam Processor

I am trying to generate a printout of the PCB using Eagle Cam processor to get it made. My settings are as follows: Section: * Device: PS Style: pos. Coord and Fill pads are enabled Layers: top, ...
3
votes
2answers
146 views

What does “run a panel” mean in the context of PCB/PCBA fabrication?

A design engineer told me our PCB prototypes would be completed soon and then he would have his assembler "run a panel". Does anyone know what that means?
0
votes
0answers
90 views

PCB Manufactures [closed]

I'm new to the process of getting PCB board made. I have a double sided 10cm x 10cm board. I am looking to get about 5-10 board made, depending mostly on price. I live in the USA. I am not looking ...
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votes
1answer
260 views

What PCB design software do you use? Can you share more on its advantage and disadvantage? [closed]

How can we convert these multiple formats to correct manufacturing data?Do you know the procedure in details or are there any links to learn? Thanks.
1
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2answers
321 views

why does the milling machine require FR4 material

At a hackspace I frequently attend, there is a milling machine called the Roland Modela MDX-20 Desktop Miller. We use this milling machine to make pcbs however the technician there stresses we must ...
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votes
1answer
154 views

building thin devices, how to get started? [closed]

I want to build thin devices, just as thin as those ipod touches, how do I get started? What courses, what machines, what books?

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