Tech Insights
Browse our complete collection of 92 articles covering PCB assembly, circuit board design, and electronics manufacturing.
Turnkey PCB Assembly
We'll discuss turnkey PCB assembly in this article. Time is money, and you will most likely waste precious time handling some tasks in the PCB assembly process.
How to Surface Mount Solder
Every electronic circuit board you interact with features hole components and surface mount devices. But do you know how to surface mount solder components?
PCB Assembly Drawing
The PCB assembly drawing is crucial for component assembly.Once your PCB is out of the fabrication line, you need at least four documents before taking it for assembly.
PCB Materials: What Are PCBs Made Of?
Nobody should tell you that the PCB materials don't matter because a circuit board is good as its makeup medium.
PWB vs. PCB: How To Differentiate The Two
We will compare PWB vs. PCB to learn the differences in this article.PWB and PCB are often used interchangeably in the electronics industry,
What Is a PCB Assembler
What is a PCB assembler? Learn from this detailed guide. During PCB build, it's essential to strategically place the parts on the board to ensure the device operates per the PCB design.
How To Mount PCBs: How To Install a PCB in its Application Area
We will look at how to mount PCBs in this article. Once the circuit board assembly is complete, the next step is to install it in its application area.
US Manufacturing vs. China
We'll compare US manufacturing vs. China in this article. There is no doubt that China is the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
WLCSP Package
We'll look at the WLCSP package technique to learn its types, advantages, and applications.
How to Identify Diodes
Welcome to our elaborate discussion on how to identify diodes. Notably, we have numerous types of regular diodes, each suited to a specific purpose in an electric circuit.
Tinning Flux vs Regular Flux: What Makes Great Flux?
Today, we provide insights into the tinning flux vs. regular flux debate. We aim to educate you on their benefits to any typical soldering process.
How to Solder Wires to a Circuit Board: Learn All Soldering Basics
Do you know how to solder wires to a circuit board? It is straightforward, but you must perform it correctly to ensure a perfect electrical connection.
SMD vs. SMT vs. THT: Comparing PCB Mounting Technologies
This article is a comparison of SMD vs. SMT. vs. THT.If you have researched the PCB assembly processes,
How To Mix Ferric Chloride for Etching
This article is about how to mix ferric chloride for etching.Ferric chloride is the ideal corrosive chemical for etching copper-clad boards when making PCBs at home.
How To Trace a Circuit: Circuit Tracer vs. Multimeter Usage
We'll look at how to trace a circuit in electronic devices and buildings using a multimeter and circuit tracer.
How to Add Fonts to Fusion 360: A Detailed Guide
Learn how to add fonts to Fusion 360 from this guide. Digital fabrication is one of the most important processes in PCB customization.
PCB Assembly Machine
So assemblers need high-tech PCB assembly machine to mount and weld components on the board to make the circuit function as required.
Allegro vs. Altium: Which is the Best PCB Design Software?
The allegro vs. Altium debate rages on as the two are some of the best PCB design software.
Low vs. High Volume PCB Assembly: Which is the Best?
Let's discuss low vs. high-volume PCB assembly services. Volume assembly in flexible PCB production is necessary
How To Gold-Plate Copper: The Steps and Processes
Here's how to gold-plate copper if you have exposed surfaces on your board.Gold has superb electrical and corrosion-resistance properties.
How To Make a PCB at Home: The Procedure From Start To Finish
This is a guide on how to make a PCB at home. While getting a PCB made by a manufacturer is relatively inexpensive nowadays,
What Is First Article Inspection? How The Process Occurs
What is a first article inspection? First article inspections are generally associated with consumer electronics, medical devices,
How Thick is 1 oz Copper?
In circuit board production, the term thickness refers to the weight of copper used to build the copper traces. So how thick is 1 oz copper?
Hot Swap vs. Solder PCB: Which Keyboard PCB Is Better?
This article is about hot swap vs. solder PCB.When building a custom mechanical keyboard, the primary component to consider is the PCB.
What is CNC Technology: Why CNC is the Future of Industrial Production
What is CNC technology, and how does it apply to electronic parts assembly?
UL-Listed vs. UL-Certified: What Do The Terms Mean?
In this article, we will compare UL-listed vs. UL-certified because the two terms tend to cause confusion among consumers and electronics engineers.
What is Ultrasonic Welding? How to Perform Ultrasonic Welding
What is ultrasonic welding, and which are some scenarios where its use is reasonably necessary?
What Is NPI (New Product Introduction)? Steps and Benefits
What is NPI (New Product Introduction)?When you have a product idea and want to develop it for the market,
What Is an IC Chip? Types, Generations, Packages, and More
What is an IC chip?Integrated circuits are the brains of modern intelligent electrical devices.
Quick Turn PCB Assembly: What It Is and Its Benefits
Quick-turn PCB assemblies are critical for electronic projects because they hasten production.
Short To Ground vs. Short To Power
We will compare short-to-ground vs. short-to-power to determine their similarities and differences in this article.
How To Make a Keyboard PCB
This is a guide about how to make a keyboard PCB.Making a keyboard app is as simple as writing several lines of code and running it on your phone or tablet.
Flying Probe vs. ICT: Which is the Best PCB Testing Method?
Flying Probe vs. ICT circuit testers guide. Make no mistake dismissing circuit testing in PCB assembly as it is one of the most critical aspects
Flip Chip: How Flip Chip Compares to Wire Bonding
Flip chip technology is one of the most popular modes of making electrical connections to a semiconductor. But what is it all about?
What Is Silk Screen Printing? The Process, Types, and Benefits
What is silk screen printing? Read this guide to find the answer.Applying printed labels, drawings or writings on materials can be purely decorational.
How To Open Gerber Files: Best Gerber Viewer Software
Do you know how to open Gerber files? Rather, do you understand the essence of proper visualizations in the design of circuit boards?
What is Mechanical Assembly? Mechanical Assembly Processes
What is mechanical assembly, and in what ways can electronics manufacturers use the technique in production?
How To Make a Plastic Injection Mold: Structure Components and Manufacturing Processes
This article is about how to make a plastic injection mold.Plastic injection molding is arguably the most efficient way to make plastic products.
Tape-and-Reel vs. Cut Tape
We'll compare tape-and-reel vs. cut tape below. PCB assembly machines are highly automated. And to enable quick surface-mount electronic component assembly,
Conductive vs. Non-Conductive Via Fill PCB
We'll compare the conductive vs. non-conductive via fill PCB below. Via is critical structure in circuit boards because they connect internal layers and enhance heat dissipation.
PCB Trace Width vs. Current Table: How To Balance The Two
We will compare PCB trace width vs. current table below to understand the best copper trace design practices.
Counterbore vs. Countersink
If you've worked on DIY woodworking projects, you might have had to compare counterbore vs. countersink when handling screws.
How Do Heatsinks Work? Forced vs. Natural Convection
How do heatsinks work? Electronic devices with CPUs generate heat during operation. And the higher the processing power, the more the heat.
What is Thermal Management- Passive and Active Thermal Management
What is thermal management as it applies to electronic devices? All electronic systems emit thermal energy,
How to Remove Solder: 8 Main Desoldering Methods
Would you like to know how to remove solder?Circuit boards require care when mounting and removing components from them.
What Is NRE Cost- How Can PCB Assembly Firms Lower NRE Costs?
What is NRE cost in PCB manufacturing and assembly? For many PCB and electronic equipment companies,
What is a Copper-Clad Board?
What is a copper-clad board? PCB manufacturers are under constant pressure from device makers to develop circuit boards
What Is a PCB Stencil? All You Need To Know
What is a PCB stencil in circuit board assembly? The process of assembling surface-mount components requires a stencil for accurate solder paste deposition.
PCB Assembly Process: All You Need To Know
The PCB assembly process comes right after the PCB manufacturing process to weld the components on the solder pads.
What is a Netlist? What is the Role of Netlist in PCB Design and Testing
What is a Netlist in electronics design? A PCB features numerous parts whose interrelationship is critical to the functioning of the electronic components/device.
TQFP vs. LQFP: A Quad Flat Package Comparison Guide
Welcome to this TQFP vs. LQFP guide. The IC must be provided with the best optimal performance conditions to ensure the excellent performance of miniature body-size devices.
What is Potting: A Method to Protect Your Electronics from Damage
What is potting in electronic assembly? Electronic components are delicate, and given that some parts are reserved
EMS vs. OEM: Which is the Best Electronics Manufacturing Model?
EMS vs. OEM is a complementary rather than competing concept in supply chain management, and today,
Core vs. Prepreg: How These Insulation Materials Differ
Want to know the differences between core vs. prepregs? When making multilayer circuit boards, you'll often come across the terms core and prepreg.
OSP vs. ENIG vs. ENEPIG: Which Surface Finish Is Better?
We'll compare OSP vs. ENIG vs. ENEPIG types of surface finish to see how they perform and their application fields.
How To Program Circuit Boards: Six Programming Methods
Once a PCB gets fabricated and assembled, the next step is to upload software to the chip to run the board components. So how to program circuit boards?
What Are Tooling Costs? Are Tooling Costs Important?
What are tooling costs in industrial manufacturing processes? Automation in almost all industries is shaping up as the new normal,
QFP vs. QFN: Surface Mount IC Package Comparison
We'll compare QFP vs. QFN in this article. QFP and QFN are the typical packages for mounting large chips, such as microcontrollers.
How To Prevent Short Circuits
Here is a guide that details how to prevent short circuits. The use of electrical appliances has been the fundamental cog in most modern-day inventions.
What are Microelectronics: Microelectronics Components
What are microelectronics? Think of all the miniature electronic components today, such as cell phones.
What Is DFM in Manufacturing? An In-Depth Look at Manufacturing Optimization from the Design Stage
What is DFM in manufacturing? This is an article all about it.There are multiple variables in the product development cycle.
Toroidal Transformer vs. Standard Transformer
Here's a detailed toroidal transformer vs. standard transformer comparison.
What Is Tg: Polymer/Glass Transition State Temperature
What is Tg? Tg is one typical term that emerges when discussing the mechanical properties of glass, plastics, or polymers.
What Is MCU in Electronics
What is MCU in electronics? Most modern electronic gadgets, systems, sensors, and appliances run on the processing power provided by microcontroller systems.
What is a Thermal Pad? How to Install a Thermal Pad
What is a thermal pad and its application in electronic parts? Read this article for a profound explanation.
Why Are PCBs Green? Why Green PCBs Are Better Than Alternatives
Why are PCBs green? Have you ever wondered about it?We're out to demystify why most PCBs have the green color.
Why is Gold Used in Electronics
Why is gold used in electronics? Making electronic parts using gold seems wasteful, primarily given the high value of the metal.
Wave Soldering vs. Reflow Soldering: What Are The Differences
This article is about wave soldering vs. reflow soldering.Hand soldering is ideal for repairs and assembling boards during prototyping.
What Is an IPC Class? Standards and Definitions
IPC class is categories defined by tens of thousands of electronics manufacturing experts to assist manufacturers in controlling PCB quality.
How to Recycle Circuit Boards- 3 Main Circuit Board Recycling Methods
Learn how to recycle circuit boards to understand how to tackle the voluminous electronic wastes that are increasing daily.
Why Use Resistors- 8 Main Applications of Resistors
Why use resistors in your circuit board? A resistor is one of the most common components in any electrical circuit.
How To Read PCB Schematics: What The Circuit Symbols Mean
This is a guide on how to read PCB schematics.A PCB schematic is a circuit diagram designers use in the first stage of the board design process.
How to Dispose of Ferric Chloride
Learn how to dispose of ferric chloride in your DIY circuit board manufacturing process so that the material doesn't become a contaminant.
How to Etch PCB: 8 Steps to Etch A PCB
How to etch PCB is critical in the manufacturing of circuit boards. At first, a PCB comprises a copper plate
How To Solder a PCB: Different Component Attachment Methods
If you are in the electronics industry and want to learn the PCB soldering process, here's how to solder a PCB.
370HR vs. FR4: Which Laminate Material Is Better?
We will compare 370HR vs. FR4 in this article.Like in any circuit, a PCB must have conductors and insulators.
Solder Paste vs. Flux: Can I Use Soldering Paste Instead of Flux?
Let us share our solder paste vs. flux insights to help you understand the soldering process's specifics.
How To Ground a Circuit Board
This article is about how to ground a circuit board.A ground is the shared return path in a circuit that returns current to the source.
LGA vs. BGA: How They Differ
This article is an LGA vs. BGA comparison.One of the most critical joints to be keen on when assembling a computer is the CPU-to-motherboard connection.
Contract PCB Assembly: Is Contract Manufacturing of PCBs Worth It?
A company that wants to manufacture electronic devices in bulk but can't make circuit boards can consider the contract PCB assembly option.
How to Use PCB Board: 10 Areas PCB Boards are Highly Important
How to use a PCB board is critical in understanding the working of most everyday electronics that we use because all electronic devices
Plated Through Hole vs. Via: What Is the Difference?
Here's a detailed plated-through hole vs. via comparison. Most novice electronics engineers might look at PCBs and assume all the holes are vias or plated through holes.
PCB vs. PCBA: What Is The Difference
Looking at the terms PCB vs. PCBA, the only difference is the letter A. This letter stands for assembly. And it is what separates the definition of the two boards.
How To Test Circuit Boards: Testing Methods and What To Test
It is critical to know how to test circuit boards to produce working products for your electronics.
What is Cold Solder
What is cold solder, what causes it, and how can you avoid it? A PCB features closely packed parts,
How to Clean a Circuit Board
Learning how to clean a circuit board is a basic hack that can significantly help you improve the overall efficiency of your device.
How To Identify Circuit Board Components
Here's an article that shows you how to identify circuit board components. As a newbie PCB designer,
Breadboard vs. Circuit Board
In this article, we will compare breadboards vs. circuit boards to see the similarities and differences between the two.
Plate Mount vs. PCB Mount
When considering keyboard switch mounting, the comparison should be plate mount vs. PCB mount methods.
How To Design PCB Boards
In this article, we will look at how to design PCB boards.The first step towards building an electronic circuit is creating and testing its functionality,
PCB Assembly Cost- 12 Factors that Determine PCB Cost
If you're keen on undertaking an electronics project, then it makes sense that you need to consider the PCB assembly cost.
Circuit Board vs. Motherboard: How Do They Differ?
Here's a detailed circuit board vs. motherboard comparison. Circuit boards and motherboards are words often mentioned when dealing with electronics and computers.
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