H60 PCB Is Ideal for Circuit Board Prototyping

Making the prototype of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) can come at some expense and this includes spending more money to fix the errors. One of the best ways to cut down on the expenses is to use a PCB solely dedicated to prototyping. You don’t have to look further for one because we have one right here and the name is H60 PCB.

You will learn more about this circuit board in this article.

What is the H60 PCB?

To put it simply, it is a type of PCB that is solely dedicated to prototyping. It does not only give you the framework with which to make the PCB prototypes, but is also fused with a lot of features to make the project seamless.

Using the H60 PCB as a prototype of your Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design is the major use case. However, you can use it for other purposes, one of which is to use it as a drop-in replacement for the 60% with USB C.

Specifications of the H60 PCB

Below are some of the details you need to know before ordering for your H60 PCB:

1. Variations

There are two (2) major variants of the H60 PCB, and the one you choose to go for depends on the specifics of the prototype project you have to at hand.

The first variant is the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type C, which doesn’t support JST connections. Note that for this variant of the H60 PCB, it is to be specifically used for or with the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that have a USB cutout for a seamless connection to the board.

The second variant is the JST type, which supports the JST SH 4-pin connector. For this variant, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type C connection is not supported. Also, you are to use the JST type of the H60 PCB only with the daughterboards. You can buy any of the supported daughterboards either from the Hiney Bush PCB website or from the partner sites like NovelKeys.

2. Connector Soldering

Note: it may be possible to add new connections to the H60 PCB. As you could see from the specifications above, the JST type doesn’t support the use of the USB Type C connector and the USB Type C variant doesn’t support the JST type. If you wish to add any of the non-supported connectors to the board, you would have to solder the connector to the board.

3. Zero Support for the Singa Unikorn

It is important to point out that the H60 PCB doesn’t work with the Singa Unikorn. If your project requires the Singa, you may have to make a different order for it from Singa, because that of the Singa Unikorn uses a different JST placement than the one H60 PCB offers.

The following are some of the additional specifications of the H60 PCB:

• It has a nominal thickness of 1.60mm.
• The H60 PCB is compatible with both the VIA and the QMK.
• It is an ANSI-only circuit board, with a bottom row support.
• The solder specifications include a gloss red solder mask and a black core FR4 material.
• It features a Cherry PCB-mount stabilizer support.
• The board has both the Alps and Cherry MX footprints.
• No RGB at this time.
• 60%, GH60 layout or mounting.
• Split space of 2.75 + 1.5 + 2.75 (this specification fits the 7u spots).

Pairing the H60 PCB with a Daughterboard

As specified in the previous paragraphs, there may be a need to use the H60 PCB with a daughterboard. The need arises when you are working with the JST type of the board.

Luckily, you can get the daughterboard directly from Hiney Bush PCB. Note that it is better to buy the H60 – Hotswap + Daughterboard, which combines the trio of the H60 PCB, the Hotswap variation and the daughterboard. As of the time of writing, this combined package sells for $45.

Now, here are the things you need to know about the H60 – Hotswap + Daughterboard circuit board:

Customization

The first point is that this PCB is a custom 60% Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Targeted Application

You are not to use the H60 – Hotswap + Daughterboard randomly. According to the information on the Hiney Bush PCB’s website, it is to be specifically designed for the GH60-based keyboards and these keyboards must have a provision for a daughterboard.

JST Connection

The H60 – Hotswap + Daughterboard also has a JST connector footprint, which makes it seamless to add a JST connection to the board.

The JST connector footprint is specifically included to enable the connection of the daughterboards.

Also included in the package is the 135mm JST cable + daughterboard (USB Type C port).

Cherry PCB-Mount Stabilizer

The H60 – Hotswap + Daughterboard also supports the Cherry PCB-Mount Stabilizer. However, you must have in mind that this support might have a need for additional expansion, especially for the 2.75u right shift that requires the removal of 2 sockets.

Here are the additional specifics of the board:

• Black core FR4 + matte black solder mask.
• Kailh hotswap sockets
• 60%, GH60 layout/mounting
• It is an ANSI-only circuit board, with a combination of the HHKB and WKL/Tsangan bottom row support.
• It is compatible with the VIA and QMK.
• However, it doesn’t have an RGB at this time.

How to Choose the H60 PCB

The tips highlighted in this section should help you pick the best H60 PCB in the market:

• Compare Your Options: you can get the H60 PCB cheaper if you buy through the Hiney Bush PCB website. At the time of writing this article, it sells for $39 as compared to the $40 price point on Daily Clack.
• USB Preferences: you may be able to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type C on the H60 PCB. However, you wouldn’t be able to use that on the custom 60% variant, which means that you have to use a daughterboard.

Conclusion

It is up to you to decide what to use the H60 PCB for but to get the value for your money, consider using it as a PCB for prototyping your circuit board designs.

Rogers 4350: High-Frequency Materials Designed for Use with High-Performance Applications

The type of materials or laminates used for circuits factor into the overall performance of these circuits. That is why circuit board manufacturers are particular about using the right type of laminates or materials for the board customizations.

Out of the many options out there, one of the best laminates you can use for your projects is the Rogers 4350. In this article, we explain the major things you need to know about how it works.

What is Rogers 4350?

Also called the Rogers 4350B, it is a circuit board material featuring proprietary woven glass reinforced hydrocarbon and ceramics. One of the core attributes of the Rogers 4350 is the composition of the manufacturability of the epoxy/glass and the proximity of the electrical performance to the woven glass/PTFE.

The Family of Laminates

The Rogers 4350 belongs to the Rogers RO4000 series of laminates or circuit board materials. According to the information on the whitepaper, the RO4000 series are optimized to be high-frequency circuit materials, which are primarily used to reduce the overall costs of fabricating the circuits.

Why Choose the Rogers 4350?

With many circuit board laminates out there, why should you settle for the Rogers 4350? Here are some of the reasons why buying this circuit material for your next project could be worth it:

Rogers 4350 Offers Excellent Dimensional Stability

It is no news that some circuit materials or laminates tend to operate haphazardly when they go beyond certain dimensions. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the Rogers 4350, which maintains an excellent dimensional stability of <0.5.

It is to be noted that the dimensional stability of a circuit material has certain roles to play in the circuit’s overall performance. By the exhibition of an excellent dimensional stability, the Rogers 4350 proves to be a better option for use with the mixed dielectric multilayered board constructions.

Rogers 4350 as a Drop-in Replacement

There are different types of circuit materials broadly categorized under the Rogers RO4000 series. One of such is the Rogers 4350 and the other is the Rogers RO4003C.

However, the Rogers 4350B is designed to be a drop-in replacement for the Rogers RO4003C circuit material. The replacement capability is because the Rogers 4350 circuit material uses the RoHS-compliant flame-retardant technology, which is ideal for the applications that require or are meant to comply with the UL 94V0-Certification.

Circuit Board Optimization

The Rogers 4350, also called the RO4350B circuit material, is ideal for use with specific circuit boards. These boards are the double-sided and the multilayered Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs).

For that purpose, the material is expected to function in specific ways. Below are some of the circuit processing guidelines for the Rogers 4350, when being used with either the multilayered or the double-sided Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

Drilling Information

Rogers 4350 is compatible with drilling, but specific measures have to be in place. These are some of the things you need to know about drilling this circuit board material:

Understanding the Chip Loads

The chip loads used when drilling the Rogers 4350 should comply with the diameter drills. It is for this reason that the manufacturer recommends using a lower chip load of about <0.002” for the small (<0.0135”) diameter drills.

The manufacturer also recommends using a chip load greater than 0.002” for both the large and mid-range diameter tools.

Preparing the Inner Layer of the Rogers 4350 Circuit Board Material

The preparation processes for the inner layers of the RO4350B cover the tooling options, the bonding of the layers, the preparation of the surface and the treatment options.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what goes into the inner layer preparation of the RO4350B circuit material:

Tooling Options

The best tooling methods for the Rogers 4350 material are both the pinless and the pinned tooling methods. While the tooling methods or options are many, you don’t want to make the mistake of overlooking important metrics, such as the capabilities of the circuit facility. Considerations are also to be made about the final registration requirements.

To that end, you want to put the following into consideration when deciding on the best tooling methods for the Rogers 4350 material:

• Standard vs. multiline tooling
• Slotted or round pins
• Pre vs. post-etch punching
• Internal or external pinning

However, the manufacturer, Rogers, suggests using post-etch punching, slotted pins and the multiline tooling options, because the trio meet most of the circuit design needs.

Oxide Treatment and Bonding

The oxide treatment option for the Rogers 4350 should also align with the bonding option. According to the manufacturer, the “cores of the Rogers 4350 can be processed through any copper oxide or oxide alternative process in preparation for multi-layer bonding.”

However, it is also pertinent to take note of the treatment option, as it has to should support either the adhesive system or the prepreg, as specified in the recommended guidelines.

As for the multi-layer bonding, the RO4350B material is compatible with several thermoplastic and thermosetting adhesive systems. However, you also want to check the guidelines of the adhesive system before going ahead with it.

Surface Preparation

The surface preparation for photoresist and copper etching are worth considering when working with the Rogers 4350. As per the information in the datasheet/processing guidelines, the copper surfaces and the core thickness of the material can be prepared for photo imaging, using either the mechanical or the chemical processes.

However, it is also possible to divide or break down the processes, depending on what is involved. For example, the thicker cores of the Rogers 4350 should have the surfaces prepared with the thinner cores can be surface-prepared with the chemical processes. Examples of the chemical processes are:

• Drying
• Cleaning
• Water rinsing and;
• Micro-etching

Final Words

Rogers 4350, otherwise called RO4350B circuit material, is an ideal material for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that require tighter control on the Dielectric Constant (Dk), while helping to maintain low loss for the circuits.

The final circuitization processes for the RO4350B range from individualization, such as punching, dicing, routing, sawing and shearing. Other options include breakaway tabs and V-scoring to individualize the circuits after automating the assembly process.

Rogers 4003: A Straightforward and Easy-to-Use Circuit Laminate

Some circuit board laminates prove to be a “toughie” in the sense that they are usually hard to configure or work with. At the same time, there are a couple of circuit materials or laminates that are one of the best you can work with. The Rogers 4003 falls into the latter category.

Why is Rogers 4003 an “Easy-to-Use Laminate”?

There are a couple of reasons why we believe that the properties of the Rogers 4003 circuit laminate/material are better off than those of the other circuit materials.

The most outstanding between the Rogers 4003 and the other circuit laminates is that the usage is not complicated, especially when you consider that it doesn’t require special handling or through-hole treatments, unlike the PTFE-based microwave materials do.

The other upside to the Rogers 4003 laminate is the increased cost-saving, as it allows for the utilization of the same processing method as the standard epoxy/glass, only that it saves costs.

Referencing Guide for the Rogers 4003 Laminate

Before working with Rogers 4003, here are is a quick rundown of some of the things you need to know about the processing:

Bonding Procedures

Rogers 4003 works best with the Rogers 4400 series of bond-piles. You can also use some of the common thermostat prepregs for the bonding.

However, note that for the multilayer bond cycle, it is expedient to use the bond parameters that are associated with the adhesive system.

The final preparation should be a pre-baking of the laminate between 125˚C and 150˚C.

Rogers 4003 vs. Other PCB Laminates

It is not out of place to compare what the Rogers 4003 laminate offers with what you tend to see from the other circuit materials. One of the major comparisons is between the Rogers 4003 and the FR4 material.

Here is how the Rogers 4003 differs from the FR4 material, and indeed, other standard circuit board materials:

The Frequency Matters

The frequency of the Rogers 4003 is one of the most important elements. When compared to the FR4 material, the frequency tends to exceed, and that is why it is primarily used with high-frequency applications.

Absorption Rate

Absorption, in terms of the circuit materials, has to do with the ability of those materials to keep functioning optimally, despite being exposed to certain conditions.

It is common to find the FR4 and standard circuit materials’ absorption rate between 0.01% and 0.20%.

The relevance of the absorption is that it goes a long way to keep the circuit free even when exposed to liquid. That is why the Rogers 4003 towers over the FR4 material, because of the smaller absorption value.

The low absorption rate is a major reason why the Rogers 4003 circuit material is used with the applications that are typically exposed to unstable environments, such as the aerospace and defense systems.

Advantages of the Rogers 4003 PCB Material

Besides the lower absorption value, the Rogers 4003 also has a couple of other upsides. These are the extra benefits that come with it:

Optimized for Higher Applications

Rogers 4003 is ideally used with the applications or devices that require a higher performance. It is also used with the high-volume applications.

Multilayer PCB Support

Rogers 4003 is also ideally used with the Multi-Layer Board (MLB) constructions.

Affordability

If you’ve always wanted to save money working with a PCB material or laminate, a better option should be Rogers 4003. When compared to the FR4 material, it offers a significantly lower fabrication cost.

Overall Performance of the RO4000 Materials

Rogers 4003 belongs to the broader range of laminates and circuit materials categorized under the RO4000. Thus, we want to dim the spotlight on how these materials are generally optimized to work.

Going by the information on the datasheet, the RO4000 materials cover both the R04003C and the RO4350B. These materials are high-frequency and can be fabricated using the standard epoxy/glass (FR4) processes – albeit, at a lower fabrication cost.

Below are the overall features and benefits of the RO4000 circuit materials:

Stabilized Electrical Properties

Rogers 4003 features stable electrical properties and frequency. To this, it offers both the repetition of the design filters and the controlled impedance transmission lines.

Low Loss Capabilities

The RO4000 series of circuit materials are popular for managing the loss of signals to a greater extent.

First, these materials are ideal for a broad range of applications, including the broadband applications.

Second, you can use the low dielectric tolerance and low loss feature of the Rogers 4003 to get the most electrical performances out of it.

Last but not least of the low loss capabilities is that the Rogers 4003 materials are compatible with the applications that operate at a higher frequency.

About the Manufacturer of the Rogers 4003 Circuit Materials

Rogers is the company that makes the Rogers 4003 and many of the other circuit materials broadly categorized under the RO4000 series. The company has been in the business for a couple of years and has made a name in the market as a leading producer of RF circuit boards and high-performance Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

Rogers also engages in the production of circuit board materials that offer a combination of improved performan

ce, low losses for the signal transmissions and cost-effectiveness. It is also to be noted that the range of PCB laminates from the company often come with low electrical noise optimizations.

Important Information About Rogers’ Circuit Material Capabilities

Besides the aforementioned capabilities ranging from low noise and affordability, Rogers’ circuit board materials also have a couple of other outstanding characteristics. These include:

Multi-Stackup

The stackup of the Rogers PCB materials typically includes two cores and a prepreg material. However, it is common for the core to carry the top two (2) layers of the copper, while the rest will be in the form of the standard, FR4 material.

Conclusion

Generally, the Rogers 4003 circuit material is ideal for high-frequency applications, especially the applications in the telecommunications, military, automobile, aerospace and defense industries.

What You Need to Know About the 6 Layer PCB

You may have believed that the 6 Layer PCB is a type of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with six (6) layers. While that appears to be what the name deduces, it is not so. On the contrary, the 6 Layer PCB is a type of circuit board with four (4) major layers and two (2) additional layers that serve as the signal layers.

In this article, you will learn more about the 6 Layer PCB stackup, why it is better than the four (4) layer circuit board and some of the benefits of choosing it.

How the 6 Layer PCB Compares to the 4 Layer PCB

The four (4) layered PCB, which is the circuit board layer design that comes before the 6 Layer PCB, is common for applications that require less resources, such as higher power requirements.

However, when your PCB applications begin requiring more resources, such as higher power needs, more Input and Output (I/O) counts, as well as high-speed solutions; it is a signal that you need to step up on the layer count.

The next layer of circuit boards after the 4 layer PCB is the 6 Layer PCB and that is what we are discussing in this article.

As a “step up” or improved variant of the 4 layer PCB, the 6 Layer PCB helps to match the high-speed, high power and several I/O count needs. It is also one of the primary PCB layer designs that feature improved signal integrity, as offered by the two (2) extra layers, routability and improved EMC.

6 Layer PCB Structure: How is it Formed?

If you are to buy the 6 Layer PCB, it is expedient that you understand how it works. The structural design of the layers is an important consideration.

The first thing you must note is that the 6 Layer PCB retains the original four layers that accrue to the 4-layered PCB. In addition to that, it adds two more layers, that double as the signal layers.

These additional layers are positioned between the planes. The following is a breakdown of all the layers you can find in the 6 Layer PCB:

• Ground plane layer
• A power plane
• A bottom signal layer
• Inner signal layer
• Top signal layer and;
• Second inner layer

However, the above being the standard configuration of the 6 Layer PCB doesn’t mean that all designs follow suit. Depending on the manufacturer and the target applications, variations can also be created.

In that light, below are examples of some variants of the 6 Layer PCB stackup:

Stackup for Shielding Purposes

One of the major reasons for introducing the 6 Layer PCB is to offer better features than the 4 layer PCB does. These features range from the improved signal transmission and the high-speed of the targeted applications.

To actualize the aforementioned and to provide additional layers of protection for the circuit (in the form of shielding); the following 6 Layer PCB stackup was invented:

• Top signal layer
• Bottom signal layer
• Ground plane layer
• Single power plane layer
• Inner signal layer and;
• Second inner layer

6 Layer PCB Stackup for Improved Capacitance

It is pertinent to mention that the second stackup of the 6 Layer PCB that we just talked about is imperative for improving the signal transmission and solidifying the circuit’s protection. However, it lags in the provision of better capacitance, as a result of the wide margin (separation) between the ground and power layers.

To resolve that separation and to improve the capacitance capabilities of the 6 Layer PCB, a new stackup format can be followed. Below is the structure:

• One top signal layer
• Ground plane layer
• An inner signal layer
• Power plane layer
• One ground plane layer and;
• A bottom signal layer

Reasons for Choosing the 6 Layer PCB

If we are asked to mention some of the reasons why the 6 Layer PCB is better, one of the things we would probably talk about is the excellent routing capabilities. We may also hint on the improved signal transmission and the extra layer of protection it adds to the circuit board.

However, the benefits of the 6 Layer PCB far outweigh those. Below are some of the additional reasons why the 6 Layer PCB is better, especially when it is placed side-by-side with the 4 layer PCB.

1. Signal Separation

In addition to improving the speed of transmitting signals, the 6 Layer PCB also helps to separate these signals so they don’t “conflict.”

It is expedient to mention that the signal separation capability comes in handy for high-speed circuit boards, which also have a higher Input and Output (I/O) counts.

2. The 6 Layer PCB Offers Improved Durability

One of the main benefits of the 6 Layer PCB is that it improves the durability or long-lasting possibility of the circuit board.

This happens because the stackup guidelines usually make provisions for the implementation of different protective materials and insulation layers between the circuits.

3. 6 Layer PCB Weighs Less

One may have expected the 6 Layer PCB to weigh more, due to the higher layer counts and the number of components that will be used.

It is rather a less-weighing circuit board, mainly because of the use of lightweight components. Besides, the connection process is simplified, as the 6 Layer PCB doesn’t necessarily need a lot of connectors to link or connect the components.

4. It has a Simplified Layout

The layout process of the 6 Layer PCB, as well as its connection processes are simplified. While reducing the number of connectors needed to link the parts, the 6 Layer PCB also uses a simplified layout, which helps to create a lot of space inside the board.

5. 6 Layer PCB is Ideal for Mixed Signal Routing

Are you working on a circuit board that uses different signals, especially the analog and digital signals? If so, it is better to use the 6 Layer PCB for the fabrication and here’s why:

By using the 6 Layer PCB, you can have an entire surface layer dedicated to the analog interfaces, while the extra/additional (internal) layer, can be used for enabling the slower routing of the digital interface.

Conclusion

In summary, the 6 Layer PCB is an improved version of the 4 layer PCB, and hosts a number of innovations, ranging from improved signal transmission, support for high-speed applications and mixed signal routing capabilities.

An Introduction to White PCB

Does the color of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) have any role to play in how the board turns out to function? It appears that the properties are much more than the color, as we can see in white PCB.

In this article, we explain the concept behind the whitish color of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

What is a White PCB?

Ordinarily, you will say that it is a “PCB with a white color.” While that is not entirely wrong, there is more to it than just that.

A white Printed Circuit Board or White PCB for short, refers to the circuit board that has the solder mask comprised more of the white concentration. As you may know, the solder mask is one of the core attributes and as PCBasic noted, the “PCB color” generally refers to the oil color on the board.

Now, the color of the PCB is usually derived from the color of the solder resist, which is the hardened resin containing pigments, and which is died to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

While it is common for most PCBs to have the green solder mask or color, it is also possible for the boards to use other colors. The popular PCB colors range from black, purple, blue, yellow, brown, red and green. In recent times, it has become a thing for PCB manufacturing companies to also make white PCBs, as well as pink-colored circuit boards.

Why White PCB is Becoming Popular

Now that we have demystified the fact that not all PCBs have a green solder mask or green color, let us now see some of the reasons why using the white PCB is better.

1. Excellent Electricity Transfer or Reflections

It is common to use the white PCBs, with the Light Emitting Diode (LED) systems or applications. The reason is not far-fetched from the fact that these LED systems deal more with lights, and as such, require a corresponding solder mask that makes the lights more reflective.

The white PCBs meet that need, as they provide convenient electricity transfer, which, in turn, leads to the improved emissions of brighter lights.

2. Excellent Component Positioning

It is said that the white PCBs take more components, in addition to having these components soldered on the PCB board that is based on a circuit.

White PCBs and the LED Market

White Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are ideal for use in the Light Emitting Diode (LED) applications for one reason – those applications need to bring forth the best lighting solutions as possible.

Therefore, it is because of the reflective nature of the white PCB that it is prioritized for this purpose. With the white PCB, it becomes possible for the lighting solutions emitting from LED systems to be conveyed in the same way as they come forth.

However, the usage of the white PCBs in the LED market might come with some trade-offs. For example, the PCB works best with certain applications than it does with others. Therefore, to get the best results, make sure to inform the white PCB manufacturer of the type of LED system to use the circuit board to get the best deal.

Downsides to Working with White PCBs

If you are choosing a PCB with white solder mask, you have to be sure of the applications to avoid making a bad investment. The reason is not far from the fact that white PCBs can sometimes, be a bad investment, depending on the applications.

A notable downside is the increased chances of the deposit of the whitish residues on the surface of the PCB.

The following are some of the additional downsides or disadvantages of prioritizing the white PCB solder mask over the other types of solder masks:

Extra Care and Precautions

You need to pay more attention to the surface of your white PCB, than you would have paid to the surface of other PCB solder masks.

This is partly because the white solder mask tends to hide some residues, thereby making it more difficult to clean and mainly because of the fact that it can pose some difficulties when used with some surface finishes.

Heat Exposure

Due to the fact that PCBs dissipate a lot of heat, it becomes imperative to use a solder mask color that wouldn’t be overly exposed to heat.

That is the not the case with the white PCB, which is susceptible to heat exposure and, in the process, it tends to turn yellowish, because of the heat that comes to it.

White PCBs have Lower Contrast

One would have expected that the whitish color of the solder mask would be a good reason for the PCB to be visible.

On the contrary, white PCB has a lower contrast, because it tends to hide traces. If you want to make the most out of the visibility of a white PCB, it is best to use black screen printing. That way, you get to see a lot of the surfaces than using white throughout.

Design Iterations to Take Note of

Just as we are talking about the inability to view the white PCB’s surface, especially under direct light, it is also important to talk about some of the additional design iterations.

Here are some of the things you need to know, design-wise, before working with a white Printed Circuit Board (PCB):

White Flexible PCB

It may be wide to go for the different variations of the white PCB, one of which is the White Flexible PCB. It is ideal for use with the designing of the hardware of complex circuits.

The other attributes of the white flexible PCBs include the less weight, flexibility or adaptability to fit into various applications and the provision of reliable properties.

Silkscreen Considerations

Due to the fact that the white PCB turns yellow or light brown (depending on the heat exposure), it is imperative to choose an ideal silkscreen, such as black.

Final Words

The white PCB helps to facilitate electricity transfer, improve the light emission capabilities of LED systems and enables the soldering of the core PCB components on the circuit’s base.

Why You Should Choose TTM PCB for Your Advanced Electronics Manufacturing Needs

Some electronics manufacturing companies specialize in using only a few processes, while others are versatile. While versatility is important, it is also imperative for the manufacturing company to offer specialized services that make it stand out from the crowd.

One of such companies is TTM. In addition to offering specialized PCB solutions, the company also prioritizes the timely delivery of the solutions.

This article is an in-depth review of the services offered by TTM PCB.

What is TTM PCB?

The full name is Time to Market, which underscores the company’s commitment to see to the faster delivery of electronic solutions to the customers.

At the core of TTM’s operations is the provision of advanced approaches to Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing. The investments in this regard include but are not limited to global field application engineering coverage, several design centers targeted at bolstering the development of advanced technology, as well as the possession of over 200 patents for advancing the manufacturing and designing of PCBs.

The Relevance of the TTM

Time to Market is the full name for the TTM PCB manufacturer. It underscores the company’s disposition to delivering manufactured circuit boards on time.

The following are some of the measures in place to make sure these circuit boards are readied for the market in the shortest time possible:

Quick-Turn PCBs

TTM specializes in both the provision of quick-turn and large volume PCB services. That way, it is simpler for the manufacturer to meet the demands on time.

One-Stop PCB Solutions

TTM is also able to meet the demands for higher volumes and complex circuit boards because of the use of one-stop advanced technology. Thus, the company handles most aspects of the circuit board design, without having to rely on third-parties to get the job done.

The Specialty Components Field of TTM Technologies

TTM Technologies specializes in two (2) core areas of electronics manufacturing – PCB fabrication and the combination of RF and specialty components.

Below are some of the things you want to know about the RF and specialty components’ services the company offers:

Broad Portfolio

TTM Technologies cover a wide range of RF and specialty components. The portfolio includes but is not limited to ceramic substrates, couplers, power dividers and hybrid microelectronics. Others are baluns, RF modules, radio transceivers and beamformers.

While the Power Dividers are Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) designed for use with high-volume circuit board manufacturing, the Phase Shifters are used to provide high-performance, low insertion loss and lower power.

TTM Technologies also have a broad category of components under the RF and specialty components’ portfolio. These are called the Xinger Components. The components therein are used to offer a wide range of passive RF components for the following markets and applications:

• Defense
• Wireless infrastructure
• Military-grade components and;
• Consumer electronics

TTM PCB Solutions

These are one of the core solutions the manufacturer offers. TTM Technologies prioritizes the customization or optimization of the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), as per the targeted applications.

Thus, the TTM PCB solutions are geared towards the same line, while offering an extensive portfolio of PCBs, such as substrate-like circuit boards, HDI PCBs, and rigid-flexible PCBs. The company also manufactures conventional/traditional circuit boards, as well as backplane assemblies for the aforementioned.

Thermal Management Solutions

Thermal management has to do with the ability to contain the heat dissipation processes in circuit boards. TTM Technologies specialize in offering excellent thermal management solutions that are designed to boost the performance and durability of the circuit boards when put to use.

The following are some of the categories of applications that the company manages the thermal requirements:

• Power Applications: included here are RF and microwave applications, power amplifiers, power control systems, DC power supplies and inverters.
• LED: TTM Technologies provide lighting solutions for the consumer, automotive and industrial markets.
• Automotive: the dedicated thermal management solutions for the automotive industry covers the following: battery management, motor control modules, charging stations and electric brake system. Others are mmWave radar and powertrain in Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• High-Speed Computing Applications: TTM Technologies’ thermal management solutions are also used with the high-speed computing applications, such as 5G infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers.

Microelectronics

TTM also offers microelectronics solutions, especially the custom hybrid microelectronics. It is pertinent to mention that these solutions are specifically targeted at the aerospace, space and defense markets/industries.

The following are some pieces of additional information about TTM Technologies’ microelectronics’ solutions:

Versatile

The company deploys the expertise in microelectronics design, as well as offers versatile packaging for the solutions.

Product Lines

The lines or categories of the microelectronics the company offers cut across the standard operational amplifiers and video amplifiers. The product lines also cover the custom microelectronic modules, motor drives, and the linear and switching regulators.

Targeted Markets

The wide range of solutions the TTM Technologies offer are targeted at specific markets, with the aim of bringing innovation to the different industries.

Here are some of the markets or industries that the company serves:

Aerospace and Defense

The company offers “superior reliability for mission-critical applications.” These applications are targeted at strengthening the military capabilities of the aerospace and defense industries.

To this end, TTM Technologies provide a wide range of mission-critical electronic systems, ranging from missile systems, radar systems and space systems. Others are electronic warfare systems, communication systems and commercial aerospace systems, such as inflight entertainment and flight-critical control systems.

Networking and Communications

TTM Technologies’ scope also extends to the networking and communications market, where it offers high-volume production, full product lifecycle solutions and engineering support.

The following are some of the networking and communications’ capabilities:

• Mixed material constructions
• Fabrication of both low and high-layer count backplanes and advanced circuit boards.
• Cavity designs
• RF and microwave applications and;
• Blind and buried via structures

5G

The much talked about 5G communication system is here and TTM Technologies is one of the first companies to manufacture solutions in that regard.

The company’s 5G capabilities include but are not limited to:

• Wi-Fi differential input baluns
• HyperBGA
• HDI PCBs, including the Anylayer PCBs.

Final Words

To conclude, TTM Technologies has what it takes to improve the global standards of producing and distributing configurable devices, most especially Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

Tripod PCB Products, Services, & All You Need To Know!

Tripod Technology Corporation is a big name in the manufacturing sector of PCB in Taiwan. The great thing is that they also provide this manufacturing service internationally and sell printed circuit boards—their primary unit and purpose for manufacturing the PCB.

Tripod Technology corporation is also offering boards for memory modules and LCDs. They also have it available for hard discs and automobiles. Tripod Technology corporation is quite famous for researching and developing multiple electronic devices, such as different production equipment and Laser printers.

The company was formed in 1991, and its headquarters is in Taiwan. Currently, they are providing and manufacturing various circuit boards and related materials.
If you want to improve your PCB, you can get in touch with tripod Technology Corporation in Taiwan, China, and they will provide you with the complete solution you are looking for.

They help you improve your PCB so that you never have to worry about manufacturing successful electronics, and they will always have a one-stop solution for you. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about tripod Technology cooperation and the current products they are offering. So do not wait anymore and keep reading to find more information below.

Products By Tripod Technology Cooperation

At the moment, tripod Technology corporation is providing and manufacturing the following products and materials.

Printed Circuit Boards

PCB stands for printed circuit board. It is a medium in different types of electronics and other devices related to Engineering. It is also used to develop communication devices so everything can be organized and controlled correctly.

Nowadays, you can only create an efficient and successful electronic device with printed circuit boards. There are many benefits of using PCB. It is applicable in supporting different components and signal traces with each other. Multiple types of printed circuit boards are available in the market, such as single-sided and double-sided.

Multi-layer PCB is also available, and it is the one that has the most applications and benefits. Currently, Tripod Technology Corporation is providing PCB manufacturing services. If you are looking forward to making your PCB, you can contact them immediately. They provide high-quality PCB so you can get a one-stop solution for your electronic devices under one roof.

Memory Modules

In computing, memory modules are vital because they are just like RAM. They are installed on a PCB, and it is the integrated memory. If you are looking forward to mounting memory modules on your PCB, you can contact tripod Technology Corporation.

They provide selling and manufacturing services of memory modules in high quality. They provide this service for standard and high-scale computers and servers. Memory modules possess many benefits because they are installed on the memories of many of the PCB.

You can find them on the right side of your CPU, and there are seven different types of memory modules, including Random Access Memory and direct Random Access Memory. If you are looking forward to making them, get in touch with this company.

They are providing a complete manufacturing solution because they have a manufacturing unit in this regard. After getting in touch with them, you will not have to worry about anything because you will have a one-stop shopping solution for all your PCB needs.

Thin film transistor liquid crystal display

A thin film transistor liquid crystal display is an advanced and complex Technology. The primary purpose of using this technology is to enhance the image’s quality and contrast. It is an active matrix, and the good news for you is that tripod Technology corporations are manufacturing it. This is used in different electronic devices, such as the latest computer monitors and TV.

It is applicable for projectors and Navigation systems installed in automobiles nowadays. Suppose you are looking forward to making them for your business related to automobiles or other electronic devices. In that case, you can connect with tripod Technology corporations today to get a seamless experience.

Services by Tripod Technology Corporation

Tripod Technology corporation is currently providing the following services related to PCB. Take a look at them to find out the benefits you can avail of after getting in touch with them today.

Installation Services

Installation is the most crucial part because this is the step where you must bring all the equipment together. If you mess up in this process, everything will be ruined, and all your effort will go in vain!

You must go out there and choose a company providing the service because you need to be very careful with your PCB material because it is pretty delicate. The entire stack is complex and deep, so you must be cautious when choosing someone to provide installation services.

If you are looking for installation services to bring your PCB or electronic devices together, you can get in touch with tripod Technology Corporation in this regard. They provide a seamless service and experience to their users, and you can get in touch with them immediately.

Quality And Hazardous Substance Management

You never know when something goes wrong, so it is always better to be prepared beforehand. In that case, tripod Technology Solutions is always one step ahead because they also provide quality control and management service. In case something is wrong, and in emergencies, they always have a solution to back you up.

Get in touch with tripod Technology Corporation because they know what they are doing and dealing with at a particular period. After getting in touch with them today, minimize your risk and get your hands on the most successful PCB.

Conclusion

Tripod Technology is one of the largest PCB manufacturers in Taiwan. They offer multiple products and services to help you improve your PCB. This is how you can make better electronic devices that contribute to the technology and add value to the life of your consumers.

Their products include LCDs, hard disks, automatic panels, memory modules, servers, telecom boards, and more. They also provide installation and other related services, which are very important to improve your PC and give you a one-window solution for everything.

If you are looking forward to enhancing your PCB, you can get in touch with this company today and get a complete package to take your PCB and business to the next level. The good news for you is that tripod Technology corporation is your company of choice for getting your hands on the best products and providing multiple services to back you up. Good luck.

Perks and Application of TG 170 in PCB

Printed circuits are essential for every electronic device that is operating. You will require it, and there is no chance of eliminating it from any electronic device. When you want an electronic device to work correctly, a printed circuit board is something you need to install. Things will not work out without this.

Especially if you are an electronic device enthusiast, you might already have a lot of information about different types of printed circuit boards and other terminologies, such as TG170 and FR4 TG170. However, it is essential to note that this terminology revolves around the circle of Electronics. Any manufacturer of printed circuit boards has to ensure that that temperature is alright.

The temperature needs to be perfect for the lamination process as well. It is essential to keep this thing in mind; otherwise, the printed circuit board will not be able to deal with the high temperature it has to go through. After making sure of these things, you can get your hands on a successful and best-printed circuit board.

Doing this will also ensure that you can get a standard and safe manufacturing process. It is successful and efficient to be used later as well.
This article will discuss all you need to know about the tg170 PCB material and why it is vital for fulfilling your circuit board requirements. So, keep reading to find out more about it below.

The Tg170 PCB Circuit Board

TG is a printed circuit board industry terminology and stands for glass transition temperature. This is important to remember that the TG 170 is a higher transition glass material. It applies to the temperature tolerance threshold of epoxy material present in the PCB. It is a significant material for epoxy because it directly gets in touch with high temperatures.

This also easily maintains itself in the polymer changes. The same is the case for the glass and Rubber material. This material is also flame resistant, making it perfect for PCB because it can easily bear high temperatures. It is a material that will never burn, so you don’t have anything to worry about.

The TG 170 material can also quickly go through temperatures up to 170 degrees Celsius. It is when the lamination process is going on; it has a very high glass transition point. The lamination process is complete by making the temperature extremely high because you cannot obtain a crisp PCB.

If the transition glass point exceeds, it compromises the PCB material, which is why it is something you need to keep in mind during the lamination process. You do not want it to become soft because it will melt otherwise. If it melts, then it is going to interfere with the electrical and Mechanical properties of PCB, which can ruin the entire project.

The General Rule Of Thumb Regarding Tg 170

It is a rule of thumb, and it is essential to remember that the fr4 TG is below the range of 130 C. However, if you can get on a moderate TG, it can easily withstand a temperature above 150 centigrade. However, it should be at most 160 C; otherwise, it will not work out. It is good to have a high transaction glass point because if this point is higher, your PCB performance will improve.

A high temperature means the moisture stress is low, and there is less heat resistance, giving you more stability overall. You also need to keep the working temperature in mind and ensure that the melting point is alright. It means that the temperature should be the appropriate temperature at which the material will transform the liquid into a solid gassy state.

The TG value is associated with the PCB stability, which is why it is something you need to maintain if you want to keep the quality of your electric device great. The TG 170 is a kind of PCB material that is most commonly used worldwide for PCB. It is a prevalent material, and manufacturers and customers often use it in their electric devices. Currently, it dominates the manufacturing industry of computers and other communication equipment.

Benefits of the tg 170

There are multiple benefits of this material because it has various applications in the electronic industry. Let’s take a look at the advantages that you will get when you are using the TG 170 material for your PCB.

High Stability

The first benefit that you are going to get when you are using this material for your electronic device is the highest stability. The TG 170 is a circuit board with better chemical and heat resistance.

Another great thing about this circuit is that it has excellent moisture resistance, which means that it will increase the lifespan of the PCB, and you can keep using it for a long time. The next benefit you will get due to its high stability is that it will reduce the probability of short circuits, and you will not have to face any severe consequences.

Multilayer PCB

The TG 170 is a multi-layer PCB and will give you lots of advantages for this reason. It has a dense and complex electronic circuit. It means that the density is so high that you can also use it in a limited amount of space. You can get your hands on more heat than any other standard printed circuit board technology.

Applications of the TG 170

Cross-linking is the first and most common application of the TG 170 material in PCB. It is a crucial aspect because it is also affected by high temperatures. This will make it easy to transition from a solid to a liquid state.

Primarily it is used in the metal industry in daily routine. It is important to note that the temperature range in this industry is relatively high, and this material will do well in the strange. Another application for this material is the engine controller because it can provide a reliable engine.

Conclusion

When you are looking for an efficient and cost-effective solution for your printed circuit board, then the TG 170 is the material of choice. The reason for choosing this should be the high-intensity operation compared to the low-glass transaction that you will get from any other standard or typical material.

Due to this high technology, you can get more stability and easily endure high temperatures. The best part is that it is very cost-efficient, and you can also get your hands on the best PCB at a low price.

How to improve EMC PCB design?

Printed circuit boards are the lifeline of all machines. That’s why they need to perform well.

You may hear the designers focus on EMC PCB in PCB design. EMC stands for electromagnetic compatibility. Designers greatly focus on it while designing any PCB design. Actually, a good PCB design improves the EMC and reduces the EMI. Several things have to be kept in consideration while designing the best EMC PCB design. Let’s dig deeper to learn about the EMC PCB design and how adenine can improve EMC performance.

What are EMC and EMI?

EMC in a PCB shows the board’s capability of working in its electromagnetic environment. Better EMC means it doesn’t emit awful electromagnetic interference. It means there is less or no noise. EMI stands for electromagnetic interference. It is the second name for electromagnetic noise. Simply put, it is a disturbance of electromagnetic waves to one device from another. That’s why every PCB designer tries to follow the best practices and standards for EMC. In this way, they can reduce the EMI and its negative effects. So EMC testing is necessary before finalizing the design.

Guideline for EMC PCB design to reduce the EMI

The following guidelines will help you to design the best-printed circuit boards according to Industry practice. Undoubtedly, the design of printed circuit boards plays an important role in EMC performance. Keep the following thing in mind while designing PCBs.

Focus on the ground planes.

Almost every printed circuit board has ground planes. The sole purpose of this ground plane is to reduce noise and interference. Focusing on better materials for ground planes and intelligent design can help to reduce EMI. Ground planes can contribute to enhancing the EMC. In multi-layer PCBs, it’s tricky to handle the ground planes, but gridding the ground reduces EMI radiation from the signal traces. Gridding is successful in improving EMC performance even in two-layered PCBs.

Protective components can do wonders.

Sometimes electric voltage difference, power disruption, and electric shock can contribute to the EMI. So avoiding all these transient voltage suppressor diodes can help you while designing PCB. Keep in mind the placement of such components.

Arrange the parts smartly

Electronic parts and their placement play an important role in printed circuit board construction. Their wrong placement can result in EMI. So it is necessary to place the components smartly on the board to improve. EMC. PCB zoning can also help you to improve EMC and general noise.

PCB zoning is a process of defining the general location of the component before any traces are set down.

Frequency signals

Planning the areas of the board in this way can have a major impact on the EMC performance of the PCB. Controlling the length of signals can help in this matter. Sometimes it doesn’t help, so designs have to look for other ways to improve EMC performance.

Choose modern PCB designing tools.

Nowadays, many advanced PCB designing tools are available in the market. These PCB designing tools have many inbuilt functions. In this way, you can design the best PCB with the best EMC.  Different high-end software also helps in the intelligent placement of parts. As a result, you have improved EMC and better performance.   Now it’s up to the designers how intelligently they use these tools and save their time.

Some additional tips for EMC PCB design

• Pay attention to the oscillator’s position while designing PCB. Don’t place oscillator tank loops near the analog circuits.
• Keep high noise lines away from the edge of the PCB. In this way, it doesn’t disturb the other components’ functions.
• Cable assemblies and their placement is another reason for the noise. Because these assemblies can pick up the noise easily and degrade the EMC performance, so focus on their placement also.
• Follow the industry practices and standards for EMC to avoid any future inconvenience.

EMC testing and why it is necessary

You undoubtedly spent a lot of time designing PCB and following all the instructions. You did very well. Sometimes designers ignore the EMC testing due to their overconfidence or due to any other reason.  That’s a wrong practice. EMC testing will help you a lot to improve your final product. It gives you a chance to improve your PCBS by eliminating the flaws.

Following are some good reasons to show that why your boards should undergo testing for EMC;

For Safety purposes

EMC testing while designing circuit boards is necessary from a safety point of view. EMC testing ensures the safety of both the user and the operator. Sometimes ignoring the EMC testing can lead to some serious losses.

To check the Reliability

The designer always ensures that their circuit boards work efficiently. EMC testing lets the designer know whether their PCBs will work as they intended. Do environmental factors affect their efficiency or not? This testing also helps to know whether your designed PCB can meet its operational objectives or not. So EMC testing is a useful technique to find the flaws at the initial stage.

Standard practice

Still, many designers ignore the importance of EMC testing, but later they regret it. EMC testing is standard and mandatory. There are different regulations and standards according to the country and industry for which PCB is designed. . To comply with the laws, a designer must go for EMC testing. If you don’t comply with industry practice, it means these PCBc are not usable. So it is necessary to go for EMC testing and follow the industry standards.

Wrapping up the things

EMC testing is a crucial step in checking the Reliability and functionality of the PCB. You can avoid different EMC issues by opting for the best PCB design. If you choose the right design appropriate to the device, then you can save time and money. If you neglect the design faults later, you have to spend more time on investigation and re-design. PCB design for EMC is, therefore, one of the keys to a successful design. Keep in mind the following tips and tricks in mind to design the best EMC PCB design.