How To Open Gerber Files: Best Gerber Viewer Software

Gerber File of a PCB inner layers.

Do you know how to open Gerber files? Rather, do you understand the essence of proper visualizations in the design of circuit boards?  PCB design and assembly is a lengthy process that begins with formulating the design a manufacturer intends to create.  Nonetheless, the plan is complicated and must be great for optimal PCB performance. …

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How Do Heatsinks Work? Forced vs. Natural Convection

A heat sink mounted on a printed circuit board

How do heatsinks work?  Electronic devices with CPUs generate heat during operation. And the higher the processing power, the more the heat.  If unchecked, this heat can lead to malfunctioning or permanent processor damage. So it is imperative to employ efficient heat dissipation mechanisms to transfer heat energy away from the heat source.  And one …

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How To Program Circuit Boards: Six Programming Methods

A microchip mounted on a PCB

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? There are several ways of programming the device, and the process depends on the device form factor and assembly run volume.  All these methods have pros and …

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How to Recycle Circuit Boards- 3 Main Circuit Board Recycling Methods

A waste circuit board with components.

Learn how to recycle circuit boards to understand how to tackle the voluminous electronic wastes that are increasing daily. We’re in a world whereby new technological advancements render our good old devices obsolete.  In a bid to catch up with the developments, we’re finding ourselves in scenarios whereby we must cast away our old electronics.  …

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How To Read PCB Schematics: What The Circuit Symbols Mean

A section of a PCB schematic diagram

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.  And the core components of these schematic diagrams are unique circuit symbols that all designers globally can understand.  So knowing these schematics is paramount. And we will …

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How to Dispose of Ferric Chloride: A Guide on Disposing of Ferric Chloride Etching Solution

Wet etching process using ferric chloride solution.

Learn how to dispose of ferric chloride in your DIY circuit board manufacturing process so that the material doesn’t become a contaminant.  Ferric chloride is a valuable chemical in the acidic etching of PCBs and water treatment.  But the chemical is caustic, and poor disposal can lead to environmental pollution.  So how do you dispose …

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How to Etch PCB: 8 Steps to Etch A PCB

A Plain PCB straight from etching.

How to etch PCB is critical in the manufacturing of circuit boards. At first, a PCB comprises a copper plate, but the copper is only on the circuit design pattern on the final board.  This guide will elaborate on removing the excess copper from the circuit board. This process is simple, but you must get …

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How To Solder a PCB: Different Component Attachment Methods

A technician soldering a PCB

If you are in the electronics industry and want to learn the PCB soldering process, here’s how to solder a PCB. PCB soldering involves applying solder to a PCB to create mechanical and electrical connections with electronic components.  You can do the process automatically using a machine, but understanding manual soldering is vital for electronic …

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