The Most Common Types of Finite Element Analysis for PCB Manufacturing!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: April 19, 2023
pcb-manufacturing

Improvements in the electronics industry are being increasingly led by technological advancements in Printed Circuit Boards. Whether it is providing solutions that are transforming our homes and workplaces or providing miniaturized products that add to the ease of use, the impact is far-reaching.

While the macro trends in the electronics industry have been led by developments such as Internet of Things, small home technology and more, there are a whole lot of other design aspects that electronics engineers also need to focus on. These include areas such as lowering power consumption or dealing with thermal issues, particularly under harsh environmental conditions. With teams working on challenging PCB projects, especially in mission critical areas such as defense, mining and more, delivering a successful product is extremely important. This requires a whole new approach in PCB assembly manufacturing.

When it comes to solving any complex problems, the first thing to do is to break the issue into smaller, addressable parts. This not only takes away the overwhelm that comes with complex issues it also facilitates addressing the smaller issues with measurable metrics. The technique that best defines this approach is Finite Element Analysis, or what is popularly addressed as FEA.

Simply put, Finite Element Analysis involves modeling of systems in a virtual environment so that you can solve structural and performance issues in the real world. What FEA does, therefore, is to allow for separation of the process into smaller subsystems that allow its close evaluation. A practical application of FEA is the tracking of material changes. FEA also finds extensive application in PCB Manufacturing, especially as it helps in PCB material selection. Some of the benefits of FEA include:

  • Improvement of product performance
  • Evaluation of different designs
  • Optimization of designs and reduction in material usage

PCB Manufacturing FEA Analysis

There are a host of ways in which FEA Analysis can add value to PCB Manufacturing; be it the selection of components or performance of circuits. The use of PCB FEA Analysis, therefore, adds value at various stages of the process of building boards. Below is a detailed analysis of the various types of FEA analysis that come in handy, during the design stage:

Signal and Power Integrity Analysis

It is imperative for the PCBA to function seamlessly as per set benchmarks, to ensure reliability of the product. It is largely the Signal and Power Integrity of the board that determines this. This in turn involves ensuring of aspects such as:

  • Maximizing SNR
  • Components should have ample power
  • Noise reduction on power traces

Electromagnetic Compatibility and Integrity

EMI or noise can often be a concern with boards, especially if they have RF devices. While try and as you may, complete elimination of noise isn’t a possibility. What is possible, however, is that you achieve the best EM balance for the environment. In systems where there are multiple PCBA, achieving electromagnetic compatibility is also an important design aspect.

Thermal Analysis

Thermal analysis is a Finite Element analysis that finds wide application in PCB. Essentially, it involves evaluation of the response of the board to different thermal conditions. Whether it is heat distribution on account of the power components or environmental changes, it helps determine the use of thermal pads, vias or the overall design of a thermal management system.

Other than the above, FEA Analysis also comes in handy by component manufacturers as also by testing organizations. Some of the tools required for the same include:

PSpice

This is a preferred industry tool when it comes to evaluate signal responses. With the help of this tool, you can model a wide variety of:

  • Electronic components
  • Circuits
  • Boards and more

3D Solver Clarity

This comes in handy to offer a 3D perspective and analyze the EM parameters

Celsius Thermal Solver

It provides results that ensure there isn’t excess heat that can not only damage components but also threaten user safety.

Armed with these tools you can rest assured that the integrity of the PCB has been checked and reliability of the product is assured. The partitioning approach of Finite Element Analysis ensures that precise evaluation of the different aspects is done and standards adhered to.

Technotronix Electronics Manufacturing Service combines state-of-the-art technology with our advanced engineering to deliver unparalleled quality and service. Our defense, industrial, and medical customers gain a competitive edge with fast prototyping, domestic and off-shore manufacturing and the consistent delivery of high-quality, on-time, price-competitive products for more information, please Explore our PCB Manufacturing Service!

Top PCB Technology Trends bring the constant changes in the PCB Industry!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: April 28, 2021
PCB Technology Trends

To say that the PCB industry is highly dynamic, will be to state the obvious. The fact is that changing technology is bringing about new capabilities and functionalities as far as PCBs are concerned.

A big trend, of course is miniaturization of the PCB. This trend, in turn, is being driven by some technological developments.

Let us look at some PCB technology trends:

High Density Circuitry

The one major contributor towards PCB miniaturization is the high-density circuitry that technology has made possible. Designers now have the freedom to place components close to each other without hampering the electrical flow. That and the micro vias result in highly functional PCBs that are small and light.

IoT Devices

Another technological advancement that has impacted PCB design is Internet of Things. With wearables, smart homes and more, what is needed are highly functional PCBs in the smallest of sizes. This has seen the rise of minimalistic design. All of this is made possible with HDI PCB technology. Check out how to overcome the challenges of IoT with Smart PCB Manufacturing.

Augmented Reality

From making its foray from gaming into solving real life issues, augmented reality is now making its way into manufacturing. In fact Augmented Reality is now revolutionizing PCB manufacturing as well as design. One of the aspects it makes possible, is the ability of the PCBs to take on unconventional shapes and designs. In fact the impact of AR isn’t just limited to the design aspect alone but also impacts the production process. What AR also makes easy is the ability to oversee the entire design as also make testing easy.

3D printing

This is a major technological development that has given a big boost to PCB manufacturing. 3D printing makes PCB miniaturization a reality. In fact it offers a host of other advantages including:

  • Flexibility of design
  • Improved speed
  • Waste reduction, and more.

Other than miniaturization of PCBs, some of the other PCB industry trends are as below:

High-power boards

With solar energy applications, electric vehicles and more, there is increased demand for high-power boards. With PCBs having the option to accommodate more components such as battery packs, their ability to support such applications is far higher. They can also deal with interference issues effectively.

Flex Boards

Flex and rigid-flex boards have been growing in popularity as there are increasing number of designs where size and weight limitations are stringent. Such Flexible circuit boards also work well where the applications are high-temperature and high density.

COTS components

Another trend that is shaping the PCB industry is the use of commercial off-the-shelf components. These offer a whole lot of advantages including but not limited to:

  • High reliability and efficiency
  • Suited to mission critical systems on account of stringent standardization guidelines
  • Lower overhead costs since these are ready made and not custom in-house developed products

Green PCB Manufacturing

Like any other product, PCB manufacturing is also impacted by the need for green manufacturing to ensure clean and sustainable production. While PCBs have been using fiberglass, which is environmentally friendly, new advancements demand that this gives way to usage of material such as resin-coated copper and liquid crystal polymer.

Clearly then, the PCB industry is in the throes of major technological changes. Going forward we will witness a whole lot of innovation, not just in product design but also overall efficacy.

What is important, though, is that at a time where more and more electronics require PCBs, a tight control is kept on the supply chain. That is the only way that fake elements can be kept at bay and the PCB can deliver to the new benchmarks being set.

In order to be able to harness the true potential of PCBs, you need to engage with a board manufacturer who is well-poised to take advantage of these developments. At Technotronix, superior technology along with our advanced engineering prowess ensures that we can deliver state-of-the art products. With over four decades of experience, quality, on-time, price-competitive products are our forte. You can bank upon us to provide a varied range of multi-layered PCBs from tailor-made layouts. That we are an ISO 9001:2015 AS9100 Rev D company, means that peace of mind as far as product quality goes, is assured.

What we offer, however, aren’t just high-quality PCBs but also unparalleled technical expertise and the most progressive solutions. Explore our PCB Manufacturing services!

Top Challenges of Supply Chain Management in Electronics Manufacturing Industry! – How Your PCB Contract Manufacturer can Help?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: May 7, 2021
PCB Contract Manufacturer

That PCBs are the heart of an electronic device, on which the success or failure of the device depends, is a well-known fact. What is at the heart of the PCB, however, are components that the board is built with. While the layout or the schematics of the board has a scope to be changed, the right components can make or break the PCB. Supply chain management in the Electronics Manufacturing Industry, therefore, remains a very critical aspect. There are a whole lot of challenges that this area is faced with. Let us look at some of the top challenges in supply chain management:

Availability

The primary challenge of course is the availability of materials. In fact, most delays in PCB Manufacturing can be traced to the fact that the specific components that have been mentioned in the bill of materials may not be readily available. It is even a possibility that the requirement could have simply been copied from an older CAD, while its production has currently been discontinued. Some parts could also be out of stock and can lead to delays. It is, therefore, imperative to check the bill of materials thoroughly to see that all the parts are available much before the production process begins.

In fact components, very often, have a status column attached to them. This can offer some critical information to the engineer. For example:

  • NRND or not recommended for new designs can indicate to the engineer that for newer products these parts should not be used
  • OBS or obsolete parts again means that other options should be chosen
  • EOL or end of life once again indicates that such parts should not be used.

A fair understanding of these aspects will ensure that production is not stuck on account of unavailability of components at a later stage.

Quality Control

This of course is a non-negotiable aspect. It is important to go with component manufacturers who exercise the highest level of quality control. This is where a PCB Contract Manufacturer USA who has a relationship of trust with vendors, comes in handy. They can ensure that the PCB boards and in turn the final products are consistent as far as quality is concerned. Not only do you need to look for product quality, other aspects to watch out for include:

  • Does the vendor have a structured quality assurance program?
  • Does the packaging, shipping and handling conform to quality protocols? This includes a number of aspects including moisture control, so that the products aren’t damaged during transit
  • Do the parts meet traceability requirements?

Price

Price of components, of course, is an important aspect that determines whether or not the PCB boards will be competitive. Attention therefore needs to be paid to getting the best possible price of the component. Some of the aspects that will determine the price include:

  • Bulk orders
  • Ordering well in advance
  • Existing relationships with vendors

PCB Contract manufacturers who have years of experience in the field, will therefore be able to offer far more competitive quotes rendering the final product that much more competitive in the market.

Here is how your PCB Contract Manufacturer can help:

There are many aspects of Supply Chain Management that an experienced PCB Contract Manufacturer can help with. These include but are not limited to:

Review the design for manufacturability

  • Review the design for manufacturability
  • First things first, a PCB Contract Manufacturer can study your design from the manufacturability standpoint. This process, done well, can go a long way in reducing issues faced during PCB fabrication and assembly. Without a thorough DFM analysis, there could be a host of costly errors at the production stage.

Bill of materials

  • Bill of materials – Also with the PCB manufacturing service closely looking at the bill of materials, it will be ensured that the materials listed are:

Available

Are procured from a trusted source

Are high quality

Are bought at the best-price

  • Available
  • Are procured from a trusted source
  • Are high quality
  • Are bought at the best-price

With years of experience in the field a PCB contract manufacturer can be your trusted partner in making available the right components, through a network of component manufacturers. The right PCB Manufacturing service, California, can thereby help you with quality PCBs that will ensure the reliability of the final product along with a quick turnaround time.

With over 40 years of combined experience in rendering high tech PCB assembly and manufacturing services, we are not just an assembler, we can completely test at board level to box build level to provide the benefit of unparalleled technical expertise and the most progressive solutions at competitive prices. TechnoTronix has a state of the art facility that enables our clients to successfully overcome production challenges to produce the innovative, cutting-edge products so highly in demand in today’s marketplace. We have outreached our customer base from varied industries like aerospace, telecommunication, defense, medical etc. to provide quick turn and customized prototyping services with great customer retention ratio. Get a Quick Quote for any type of your requirements.

What are the Benefits of Choosing USA Based PCB Manufacturer?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: July 24, 2021
PCB Manufacturer-USA

When it comes to the choice of a PCB Manufacturer, the decision is between opting for a US based PCB manufacturer versus choosing an overseas supplier. It is a fair question to ask if there is any real advantage of choosing a manufacturer based in the US versus looking for a supplier, in China, for example, where there could be a price advantage. Here is a detailed response to your query; one that will allow you to take the final decision of PCB Manufacturing with complete peace of mind. Read on:

Advantages of Choosing USA PCB Manufacturer

PCB Quality

Expertise

Reliability

  • Quality – First up, when it comes to the choice of PCB, you have to take into account the quality aspect. After all, PCBs are known to be the heart of electronic devices and the quality and reliability of the final product has a direct correlation with the PCB quality. When you are dealing with a US based manufacturer, you are far more certain that there is a common understanding of the quality standards required catering to the US market.
  • Expertise – PCB Manufacturing is an extremely technical process. What is required is state-of-the-art industry knowledge and expertise in order to navigate a very dynamic and changing industry. Again, a US based manufacturer is far more likely to have that necessary expertise. Also it is far easier to collaborate with other US based companies for components as and when the need arises.
  • Reliability – Reliability of your supplier comes from a host of factors. It could be on account of proper lines of communication, on-time delivery of products, excellent customer service as well as the ability to provide bespoke products suited to the customer’s unique needs. Now, all of these are aspects that work far better with USA PCB Manufacturer, rather than any off shore supplier where you could encounter multiple issues related to delivery time, customer support on account of difference in time zone as also the likely losses in communication. Check out guide on things to consider while choosing the right PCB Manufacturer.

Disadvantages of dealing with an offshore supplier

Should you opt for a PCB Manufacturing Service that is not based in the US on account of the fact that you may get a better cost, here are some of the aspects that you need to keep in mind, that you may have to compromise on:

Shipping Costs

Quality Control

Prepayment

  • Shipping Costs – While you may have negotiated good rates for your PCB, the fact is that International Shipping costs can render your budgets awry. Another aspect to be wary of includes custom compliance. Unless you are an expert when it comes to custom rules and requirements, you could land up spending a lot of time and energy in this area, which you could otherwise expend in your core business activity.
  • Quality Control – The fact is that you have little control over quality when it comes to an off shore supplier. Once the products have been shipped to you and you find that they do not meet your quality requirements there is little you can do. Also, importantly what you have lost, is precious time, that will impact your time-to-market.
  • Prepayment – The way that the industry works, you are required to make prepayments to overseas suppliers, in advance. Of course this has an impact on your budget, but more than that having made all the payments upfront the probability of having a quality issue corrected reduces significantly.

These are the exact reasons why availing the PCB Manufacturing service in USA works far better for your business. What you are really signing up for is:

  • High-quality products
  • Custom made to your unique requirements
  • Instant quotes
  • On-Time delivery
  • High level of service and support
  • Competitive prices

In turn this will translate into:

  • Faster go-to-market
  • Reliability of products

Be sure, therefore, to choose a PCB manufacturing service, California, who has the necessary experience and expertise to offer you industry- leading products.

At Technotronix, we use state-of-the-art technology to deliver unparalleled quality and service. In turn, this offers you a significant competitive edge as what you get is high-quality products with the best turnaround time and at the most competitive prices.

Our defense, industrial, and medical customers gain a competitive edge with fast prototyping, domestic and off-shore manufacturing and the consistent delivery of high-quality, on-time, price-competitive products.

As a leading PCB Manufacturer in USA, we can handle your any kind of PCB manufacturing requirements. We follow the best industrial practices to deliver high quality printed circuit boards. We have a broad portfolio of satisfied customers who reward as our testimony for our success. Feel free to request us PCB manufacturing quote with all your requirements. In case if you have questions or queries, Please feel free to contact us at [email protected].