Save Time and Energy by Keeping up with Technology and PCB Manufacturing Trends

By | Date posted: | Last updated: September 4, 2024
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The global market for Printed Circuit Boards or PCBs as they are known as in popular parlance, is growing exponentially. The market is in turn shaped by the growth of the electronics industry in general and by computers, smartphones and tablets in particular. As more and more opportunities arise from the combination of various technologies, the PCB market is slated to grow further. It is only prudent therefore to keep up with new trends in technology as well as in PCB Manufacturing.

Top PCB Industry trends are as below:

Digitalization

With increased digitalization along with the declining costs of data transmission and the growth of “Internet of Things”, it is forecasted that necessary infrastructure will emerge as the strong areas of growth. These include base stations for data transmission, computers, data centers and more. Within the computers segment, servers and storage media show tremendous growth potential

Growth of smartphones

The greatest technological growth drivers in the electronics industry are the smartphones. Not only are they the largest segment of the global electronics industry they are also the fastest growing. On account of the growth of IoT as well as the impending introduction of 5G Networks, the market for communication software is only slated to grow.

Consumer market

The consumer market which has demand for Printed Circuit Boards in products such as cameras, televisions and other smart devices, is currently not showing major growth. However this segment is likely to pick up driven by the growth of 4K TVs, smart watches, handheld projectors and more.

Automotive electronics- driving growth through new devices

As per Prismark report, the share of the automotive market in electronic systems which showed 8.1% decline in value in 2015 is now expected to grow. In fact the growth rates for electronic systems for the automotive market along with the printed circuit boards in this segment are projected to be significantly higher than the average overall figures for the global electronics industry.

The demand in this segment is driven by applications in the area of safety as also by the use of HDI and microvia PCBs. This include segments such as navigation, multimedia and infotainment systems, camera systems and electronic transmission control. The demand is also on account of the growth in the concept of autonomous driving which enables collection of data and information from camera systems, ultrasound sensors etc.

Medical Electronics

The growth in the medical electronic market is driven by the high level of complexity in the market viz diagnostic and imaging devices, therapy application, patient monitoring and more. Growth is also slated on account of application areas such as surgical lighting, analytical instruments and molecular diagnostics with a high degree of medical PCB prototype innovation.

Industrial Electronics

The industrial electronics market is influenced by applications in the area of measurement and control technology, power electronics, lighting systems as well as diagnostic instruments, RFID readers as also railway technology. Going forward, M2M or what is machine-to-machine as well as machine-to-man communication modules driven will drive further growth.
Other than mapping sector wise growth, some of the other trends to watch out for include:

Reshoring

With a host of issues cropping up with off shore suppliers, manufacturing is now seeing a resurgence of US based operations both on account of quality assurance and safety procedures. Reshoring also comes with the added benefits of lower costs as well as better customer support.

Green PCB Manufacturing

Increasingly the benefits of incorporating eco-friendly initiatives in the manufacturing process are becoming more and more evident. It allows for higher efficiency as also positioning the company as a responsible corporate citizen. TechnoTronix delivering innovative renewable energy solution for Green PCB prototype.

Cloud Technologies

With the increased need for cybersecurity, the use of cloud based technologies are on a rise. The cloud provider is in a position to monitor network traffic for any attacks, thereby allowing safe traffic to pass through to the website. These also allow small enterprises to be more competitive as cloud technologies come at a lower cost compared to traditional data storage and maintenance systems.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence or AI which has already made its way into homes is now set to change the industrial workspace and the world of manufacturing. This is not only true of assembly line robots or self driving devices but also areas such as analyzing data sets, market trend evaluations, overall decision making. In fact it is projected that AI alone can boost the manufacturing sector’s gross value added by $4 trillion.

The above are only a few areas that anyone working in the industrial manufacturing space should be aware of, in order to remain ahead of the curve. Preemptive knowledge and action in these areas will go a long way in enhancing productivity.

At Technotronix, we are fully equipped to handle your PCB manufacturing requirements. With over 4 decades of experience in PCB manufacturing as well as assembling PCBs with differing levels of complexities, we follow industry best practices to ensure we deliver cutting-edge products. Our team of experts and state-of-the-art equipment ensures that all our PCBs meet the industry standards of quality and testing. It is our vast portfolio of satisfied clients that stand as the biggest testimony to our success. In case if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected]

Things to Consider While Choosing the Right PCB Manufacturer

By | Date posted: | Last updated: September 5, 2024
PCB Manufacturer

With PCB Boards being increasingly used in a wide variety of products and processes, it is important to be able to choose the right PCB Manufacturer. Not choosing the right PCB Components will in turn cause the prototype device to fail in the testing stage itself.

Here are some key criteria to consider while choosing the right PCB manufacturer right from design and manufacturing to timely deliveries:

Quality of PCB

If there is one thing that tops the list it is to check for quality standards. This is critical both at the prototype and the design stage as small mistakes can lead to failure of the entire project.

PCB Manufacturing Cost

It is important to shop around when it comes to PCB fabrication so as to get competitive rates. It is also important to remember that while experienced designers may command a premium, quality and price aren’t always directly proportional. The vendor should also be able to provide you instant quotes so you do not waste time going and forth wasting time at the quote stage itself. Check out Some of the biggest influences that affect PCB Manufacturing Cost.

Speed

With most PCB projects having stringent deadlines, speed and timely deliveries are of essence. It is crucial, therefore, to check for turnaround times and delivery schedules. Often times price can be competitive at the cost of delivery schedules, hence this is an area to watch out for. Overall the responsiveness of the vendor is key criteria that goes towards making the right choice.

Minimum orders

When it comes to PCB Projects, particularly the prototype ones, order quantities are of essence. It is important that the manufacturer be able to cater to your minimum order requirements since different companies may operate at different minimum order benchmarks.

Customization

When it comes to PCB requirements, there is clearly no one product that can fit all requirements. Basis the specifications the PCB can vastly differ. It is therefore important to choose a vendor that can customize the PCB to your unique requirements. Choosing a vendor who has the requisite experience in your industry can therefore make a whole lot of difference.

PCB Support

It is also important to note the kind of support that the vendor can offer. For example, if the vendor has the expertise to review the design and point out any errors, it can save you from a whole lot of costly mistakes later. The vendor should also have online management and reporting tools that enable you to easily track the progress of your project as well as upload design documents and bills of materials. The vendor should also be able to support the file formats provided by you.

In choosing the right PCB Assembly Manufacturer, therefore you must ask him the following questions:

  • What is their industry experience- This will give you a fair idea of the kind and range of work they may have done as well as their ability to adapt to different requirements.
  • What are their certifications- Once again these will help you assess their compliance with quality standards.
  • How strong is the customer service team and where is it located- This will help you assess the level and quality of support that the manufacturer will be able to offer you.
  • Where do they manufacture the PCB boards- This will help you determine if the PCB manufacturer does really have manufacturing capabilities or if he is only a broker trying to pass off as a manufacturer. You should also determine if they have onshore manufacturing as that will help manage complexity, costs as well as any delays in dealing with an overseas provider. The location of the manufacturer will also help in terms of:
    • Individualized attention
    • Product control
    • Quick reaction time
    • Face to face collaboration

There is no substitute to robust research when it comes to choosing the right supplier. Beginning with research on the net, to asking the supplier relevant questions as also seeking recommendations all go towards making the right choice. It is always a good idea to check for the vendor’s list of clients to be able to seek relevant recommendations so that you are able to base your decision on real experiences of other clients and not on hearsay.

At Technotronix, we are fully equipped to handle your PCB manufacturing requirements. With over 4 decades of experience in PCB manufacturing as well as assembling PCBs with differing levels of complexities, we follow industry best practices to ensure we deliver cutting-edge products. Our team of experts and state-of-the-art equipment ensures that all our PCBs meet the industry standards of quality and testing. It is our vast portfolio of satisfied clients that stand as the biggest testimony to our success. In case if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected]

How to Speed Up the PCB Production Time Using SMT PCBs?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: November 11, 2022
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A large percentage of today’s mass-produced electronics hardware is manufactured using Surface Mount Technology or SMT as it is popularly known as. Not without reason! SMT PCBS go a long way in speeding up PCB Production time besides offering a host of other advantages.

Surface Mount Technology for High Speed PCB Production:

Essentially Surface mount technology (SMT) took the basic concept of through-hole manufacturing and went on to offer a major improvement. With the use of Surface Mount Technology, PCBs do not need to have holes drilled through them. Instead what they do is to make use of solder paste. This phenomenally simplified the process besides adding a lot of speed. While it is true that SMT mount components may not have the strength that a through-hole mount may have but they offer a whole lot of other advantages that offset this issue.

Surface Mount Technology goes through a 5-step process as below:
1. Production of PCB- this is a stage where the PCB is actually produced with solder points
2. Solder is deposited onto the pads that allows components to be fixed to the board
3. With the help of machines components are placed at the precise solder points
4. The PCBs are baked in order that the solder is hardened
5. The finished assemblies are inspected

What makes SMTs different from Through Hole include:

  • The issue of space that widely occurs with through-hole mounting is resolved by the use of Surface Mount Technology. SMT also offers design flexibility as it offers PCB designers a free rein to create specialized circuits. Reduced component size means that more components can be accommodated on a single board and fewer boards are required.
  • Components in SMT mounting are leadless. Shorter lead lengths of Surface Mount Components reduce propagation delays as well as package noise.
  • There is higher component density per unit area as it allows components to be mounted on both sides
  • It is suitable for high volume production which in turn leads to lower costs
  • Reduced size leads to higher circuit speed. This in fact is one of the is one of the main reasons most manufacturers opt for this method.
  • The surface tension of the molten solder pulls components into alignment with solder pads. This in turn automatically corrects any small errors that may have occurred in component placement.
  • SMT has proven to be more stable in conditions where there is a lot of vibration or shaking.
  • SMT parts are often less costly than comparable through-hole parts.

Importantly, SMT allows for a far lower production time as no holes are required to be drilled. Also, SMT components can be placed at rates of thousands of placements per hour, as against less than a thousand for through hole mounting. This in turn leads to the product being manufactured as quickly as it is envisaged which further leads to reduced time to market. If you are therefore looking at speeding up PCB Production time, SMT is clearly the answer. With the use of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) software tools, the need for rework and redesign of complex circuits is significantly reduced, further adding to the speed as well as the possibility of complex designs. Check out the guide on why is process control measurement essential to stop defects in SMT PCB Assembly.

All this is not to imply that SMT does not come with its own inherent disadvantages. SMT can be unreliable when it is used as the only attachment method for components that face a whole lot of mechanical stress. Components that generate a lot of heat or bear a high electrical load cannot be mounted using SMT. This is because the solder can melt under high heat. Through-hole Mounting, therefore is likely to be continued to use in cases where there are special mechanical, electrical and thermal considerations that make SMT ineffective. Also SMT isn’t suitable for prototyping as there could be need to add or replace components at the prototyping stage, which a high component density board may find hard to support.

Use of Surface Mounted Technology
With the formidable advantages offered by SMT, little surprise then that they have taken over as the main design and fabrication standard today. Essentially they are used in any situation that calls for production of highly reliable and high volume PCBs.

At Technotronix, we are fully equipped to handle your SMT Manufacturing requirements. With over 4 decades of experience in PCB manufacturing as well as assembling PCBs with differing levels of complexities, we follow industry best practices to ensure we deliver cutting-edge products. Our team of experts and state-of-the-art equipment ensures that all our PCBs meet the industry standards of quality and testing. It is our vast portfolio of satisfied clients that stand as the biggest testimony to our success. In case if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected]

Why PCB Post Cleaning After the Rework Process is important?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: February 14, 2022
pcb-manufacturing

There has been a lot of talk around the “no clean” process when it comes to PCBs. The reasons for choosing the no clean process are many- beginning with reduced cost per assembly, reduced cycle time as also reduced material handling defects. In addition no clean also comes with the added benefits of reduced cost of cleaning that accrued from reduced floor space, water, chemicals and more.

However PCB cleaning is important on many counts, most important being its functionality. In case any residue remains it can prevent the circuit from functioning properly. The other reason is incompatibility with downstream processes on account of no cleaning. For example a thorough cleaning process is required before an even distribution of coating is possible. Coating without a cleaning process can result in adhesion and reliability issues.

Some of the other reasons that favour the PCB cleaning process:

  • Flux residues cause conformal coatings to fail.
  • Flux residues make visual QC inspections hard to do
  • Flux residues on high-voltage systems is a major issue
  • Flux residues make the process of troubleshooting extremely hard

Once you have decided that you need to go clean after the PCB Assembly Rework, the cleaning process needs to be consistent. There are tools that can be used to test the cleaning process efficiency such as ionic contamination testers for on-site testing.

With electronic components getting more and more thin, a major issue however that needs to be guarded against is moisture sensitivity. In cases where water soluble fluxes are being used or there is flux residue remaining and washing it off is a necessity, what is important is proper drying so that the components are protected against moisture and thereby damage. In fact not just cleaning and drying, there is also an increasing need of a baked out procedure.

IPC-1601 offers complete guidance when it comes to bake out tables. The amount of open time that the board can be without baking is really determined by the environment the board is in. The other factor that determines whether a bake up procedure is required is whether an on-line or batch washer was used for cleaning. Also in case there are areas that can entrap water, a bake out process becomes necessary. Moisture is known to be entrapped inside connector pins, under ICs and other such components. If a bake out process isn’t performed what is likely to happen is that the trapped moisture can impact reliability as also skew test results in case of electrical tests. The need for bake out is also impacted by the type of drying system used. Typically, if an air knife is used, the chances of requiring bake out are high. On the other hand, if convection heat technology is used, the chances for requiring bake out as significantly lower.

The dry out process also depends upon the type of material used for making the PCB. The thermal profile of the wash process also affects how much water will be absorbed by the PCB. The more hydrophobic the board, the less water it will absorb. If the wash systems are so chosen that the board temperature increases steadily, the board is likely to become more hydrophobic.

This is not to suggest that over baking should be indulged at any time. In fact overbaking has a whole lot of issues of its own and can lead to defects in the assembly. With oxidation rates increasing with heat, it can impact the wetting action of the solder.

Is it possible to measure PCB Water Absorption?

Indeed it is and one of the simplest ways to do that is to weigh the board before and after drying. The difference in weight can in fact be used to arrive at optimal pre-bake temperatures.

To ensure that the absorbed moisture is fully taken care of, the boards are best left stacked in a rack for as much as four hours depending of course on the thickness of the board. They are best not stacked one on top of the other as that makes the drying process difficult. Post the drying process the board needs to be stored carefully in a bag or dry box. The bag needs to be vacuum sealed so that relative humidity is low.

In case baking out is required after cleaning it needs to be done for a period of 2-4 hours at a temperature of 105 degree Centigrade. Alternately a 65-degree temperature is also ideal if the process is done for 8 to 24 hours.

Despite increasing “no clean” claims, easy to clean fluxes and solders, therefore are the need of the hour.

With having a combined extensive year of experience in PCB fabrication, PCB prototyping, PCB assembling and PCB rework, TechnoTronix has created a strong customer base for varied industries to shape up new trends for PCB manufacturing across the globe. Drop an email to [email protected] to get proper consultation or share your requirements to get a perfect PCB with a cost-effective strategy, or give a call 714/630-9200!