Front-end analysis can help estimate the proper hatch opening – if any – for a flex PCB.

Flex PCB and rigid-flex PCB designers are aware of the typical lack of ground planes in a flex design. Due to this and the obvious requirement of ground planes in high-speed PCBs and RF PCBs, one may think that flex PCBs cannot support high-speed digital signals. However, even with a mesh or hatched ground plane, it is possible to design systems that include high-speed signals, both single-ended and differential.

How and why to achieve higher-density placement and routing.

PCB pin count and interconnect densities are increasing almost daily. Due to the associated high frequencies and speed, not only are impedance matching constraints challenging, but timing is also becoming more important. To add fuel to the fire, the size of the PCBs is getting smaller. Techniques are needed to create space and routing channels on these smaller PCBs. On one end, designers are under considerable pressure to create a design that can meet all the target functionalities. Conversely, PCB manufacturers are facing similar challenges in developing fabrication and assembly processes that can guarantee a reliable product with minimum tolerances.

Are your PCB supplier’s security measures up to par?

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, safeguarding sensitive information is not just a priority – it’s a necessity. For businesses engaged with US government contracts, compliance with cybersecurity standards is essential to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI). One critical framework for ensuring this is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171, which outlines security requirements for protecting CUI within non-federal systems and organizations.

Compliance with NIST 800-171 is increasingly significant for PCB manufacturers, as the electronics industry often intersects with sensitive defense, aerospace and other government-related sectors. Understanding the framework and its implications is vital for PCB manufacturers, as it ensures they can protect their customers’ sensitive data, meet federal standards and maintain their reputation as trusted suppliers in critical industries.

Likewise, for PCB buyers, ensuring manufacturing and assembly partners comply with these cybersecurity guidelines is critical – whether it’s a government contract or not.

A look at variables that influence board price.

How does one calculate the actual cost of fabricating a printed circuit board?

Naturally, each PCB is different from another, and the cost of creating one will vary depending on the PCB’s dimensions, number of layers, complexity and many other factors. Several basic variables must be considered and applied generally to the process.

Remember that PCB manufacturing is, at the very least, a sophisticated process that involves state-of-the-art technology and skills to meet the requirements of high-tech industry’s performance parameters. Of course, all these procedures cost money in practice. From design to manufacturing, mutual understanding and coordination among all stakeholders should result in a high-quality PCB product at an appropriate cost.