PCB Runner understands the money, effort, and resources invested into creating your products. You should protect that investment if printed circuit boards are a necessary component of what you sell.

Although printed circuit boards are made of resilient components, as they seem to be, they are also expertly assembled. A single bump or crash could cause a critical circuit component to come loose. Your product will not function properly if your printed circuit board is broken.

To avoid this, you should talk to your manufacturer about PCB packaging and shipping procedures. Make sure your printed circuit board is adequately safeguarded. After all, not every harm is apparent, yet it still has the potential to reduce output.

Why it is Important to Pay Attention to Safe Shipping?

Being fixated on something like your printed circuit board’s packaging may seem absurd. Ultimately, what’s the big issue if it arrives undamaged and functional?

Think back to the time and work you invested in creating your circuit board. The printed circuit board is safeguarded by the packaging that it is transported in. Additionally, it will make sure it arrives securely. You have, after all, taken a great deal of time to design a circuit board that will operate safely in its intended environment. Protecting your work during shipping can be achieved by taking the time to make sure the packing will keep your printed circuit board safe.

In addition to the obvious risks of dropping and crushing printed circuit boards, other mechanical damage can also happen during shipping. Extreme temperatures can cause boards to deteriorate and solder to creep and crack. Someone who shakes boxes violently to see what’s inside, like myself, could be assigned to handle the parcels.

The same sources of harm you shield PCBs from, but less evident ones, include moisture and electrostatic shock. Any, all, or none of the following types of circuit board damage could occur to your boards during delivery. All that matters is how aggressively I shake the box and how skillfully they’re guarded.

Types of Packaging

Depending on your PCB assembly and what you need to protect against, different packaging is used. Having some background information is beneficial because it’s not always clear from the wrapping alone whether there is protection.

So, it is clear from the analysis that the following are the contributing factors that have a direct impact on PCBs.

Static Shock

Crushing/ Dropping/ Shaking

Temperature

Moisture

Depending upon PCBs need to choose the best practices for Safeguarding PCBs During Shipping.

PCB Runner provides all types of packaging services according to the demand of the customer or according to the need of PCB protection.

1. Anti-static PCB Packaging

Using specialized PCB packing materials is essential to keeping PCBs safe in transport. For example, an anti-static bag is always required for PCBs, whether or not they have a battery, to guard against short circuits and battery damage. Use non-static dividers to keep numerous PCBs apart while packaging them for shipping. By taking this extra precaution, you can lessen the chance that the PCBs will rub against one another and cause scratches or other damage.

1. Anti-static bags:

These can be distinguished from ordinary anti-static bags or dissipative anti-static bags by their shining metallic coating, which frequently has a Ziploc-style closure. These actively guard against charges, making them ideal for long-term storage, shipment, and handling. They are, therefore, also referred to as shielding bags. Consequently, the materials inside are essential for shielding bare components like MOSFETs from external charges and are successfully insulated from them.

2. Pink poly bags:

Pink poly bags typically satisfy MIL-PRF-81705 and other industry standards for electrostatic discharge prevention materials. The distinctive pink color of the bags meant for ESD protection makes them easy to identify and ensures safe handling and application in areas where electrical components are housed.

3. Antistatic Padded Boxes:

Except in cases where the assembly is extremely large, these boxes are rarely utilized. A good example is the network switches, which sometimes have a very large modular connector that extends over the other parts of the board. These boards are significantly better supported by a padded box than by a basic antistatic bag. Customers can also benefit from these since they are reusable and suitable for long-term storage.

4. Conductive anti-static bags:

ESD Warning Stickers: It is standard to apply an ESD warning sticker to a device’s packaging after it has been placed in an antistatic bag. An ESD warning sticker can be used to seal a package containing electronic equipment that has been placed in an antistatic bag and does not require vacuum sealing. Additionally, these stickers come in rolls and in a range of styles.

PCB Runner deals in specialized anti-static packaging per customer demand and requirement.

2. Moisture-proof PCB Packaging

The electronic parts of the PCB may suffer damage from atmospheric moisture in a variety of ways. For instance, a short circuit could occur if a little water drop unintentionally travels across the circuit board’s trace. Alternatively, dampness can cause electronic equipment to corrode the circuit board’s traces.

One of the most frequent reasons that PCBs degrade in outdoor settings is moisture. Although your board will probably be protected from the elements in the field by an appropriate waterproof casing, the boards may still come into contact with moisture during shipping. Moisture can have a detrimental effect on even bare PCB boards. Consider the packaging’s ability to cope with moisture if your PCBs will be traveling by sea over extended periods of time or through humid environments.

• Sealed moisture barrier bag with a little bag of desiccant:  

PCBs will be separately packaged, most likely with a little packet of desiccant, to keep out moisture in the air. Additionally, typically resistant to punctures, moisture barrier packaging provides your boards with an additional layer of protection.

• Vacuum sealed:

You can have all the air removed from the packaging surrounding your PCB if you’re using it for a really moisture-sensitive circuit board application. It seems to me like a more organized form of shrink wrap. If you require protection on several fronts, vacuum-sealed ESD packaging is another option.

Read More: What is Multilayer PCB?

 3. Anti-Vibration PCB Packaging

If insufficient anti-vibration packing is used, PCBs may be susceptible to shock or flex damage as a result of possible rough handling during transport. This may cause a PCB to flex or shock. Enough cushioning should be provided to limit movement inside the outer packaging and shield exposed pins and other vulnerable places to avoid that from happening.

The following categories can be used to separate packaging technology:

1. Tissue paper and bubble wrap:

Unless you’re shipping bare PCBs (which just have a rubber band holding them together), this is probably the most basic packaging you’ll see. This is fine for very simple, robust boards, but if you have more sensitive components, you probably want to step it up.

2. Compressed packaging: 

Tough materials should be used to pack fragile things so that any impact or vibration energy can be absorbed and directed toward the strongest component of the contents. When an elastic material is shock-proof, it has the capacity to effectively distribute external force, absorb energy, and safeguard the contents.

3. Floating packaging:  

In essence, it is similar to the compression packaging technique. The elastic material utilized is a small pad that has the ability to move and flow, which makes it different from other materials. This allows it to efficiently fill the gap left by the immediately stressed component and distribute the impact of the contents.

4. Mold box packaging: 

In order to package the products and create the shockproof effect, Pcb manufacturers use the model to create a mold box out of the material that has the same shape as the product. Small, light products are packaged using this strategy most often.

5. Wrap package:

One piece of product is wrapped in several kinds of sheets and placed inside the outermost packaging box.  For the packaging of small items, this technique is used to prevent products from being exposed to intense shock.

When shipping PCBs, PCB Runner complies with client needs and the above-described conditions by employing best practices. You can rely on us to handle your Pcbs from design to shipping with reliable, secure, and timely delivery since we take care to ensure that moisture, temperature, shock, and static charge do not affect them.

We take great care in packaging and ensure that the product will arrive at its destination undamaged and in perfect condition.

Multilayer PCB: Design, Manufacturing, and Considerations

A multilayer PCB is a set of more than two copper foils placed together in a single PCB unit in such a way that each foil is coated to provide insulation to the other.

A multilayer PCB has double-sided inner layers and single-sided outer layers at the top and bottom.

A Multilayer PCB Core is coated with copper foil on both sides. Heat is used to cure and solidify it, making it more durable than prepreg. Prepreg, which is made of woven glass cloth and epoxy resin, is used as an isolating material between copper layers and cores.

Through-hole components have connections to all layers with their own through-hole plated pads, whereas surface-mounted components are connected through vias. In multilayer PCBs, there are three different types of vias that are utilized: Buried Vias, Blind Vias, and Through Hole Vias.

All these three types of connectivity services can provided by leading manufacturers like PCB Runner, which are established in the UK and Europe.

Significance of multilayer PCB in modern technology:

The capacity of multilayer PCBs to fit more components into a smaller area is one of their primary benefits. Designers can reduce the total size and weight of the PCB by more effectively distributing the circuitry by utilizing multiple layers. Particularly useful for small electrical devices like wearables, tablets, and smartphones.

In addition, multilayer PCBs provide better signal integrity than single-layer and double-layer models. In order to provide clear and reliable signal transmission, extra layers, as well as dedicated power and ground planes, aid in lowering noise and interference. For sensitive analog applications and high-speed digital circuits, multilayer PCBs are important. Depending on the design specifications and circuit complexity, a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) may have one or more layers.

In complex analog designs, controlled impedance tracks are under special consideration to avoid cross-talk in the design. We at PCB Runner verified the functionality of providing the required technical data and carried out different tests to make the design successfull and fully functional.

Here are the manufacturing capabilities of PCB Runner which can help you in designing your next multilayer PCB:

Design Considerations for multilayer PCB:

The following are the factors that are under consideration while designing multilayer PCBs.

Choosing the Right Type: 

There are four types of multilayer PCB that can be considered before designing:

 Rigid Multilayer PCBs

 Flex Multilayer Circuits

 Rigid-Flex Multilayer PCB

 Metal Core Multilayer Boards

Designing Layer Stackup: Layer stackup is the primary distinction between multilayer and single/double layer Pcb. Performance, density, circuitry, and cost are factors that are associated with the layer stack. After choosing the material based on the functionality of your circuit, it is crucial to organize the layers based on the results of your impedance calculation and the functionality of your circuitry. The next steps are taken after determining layer management and count. Careful calculations must be made in accordance with the design, as the addition and subtraction of a single layer might cause pain throughout the entire procedure after the layer stack is complete.

Component Placement: Placing printed circuit board components is the second critical step after choosing a layer stack. Analog-sensitive components must be placed apart from digital circuits so as not to interfere with the circuit board’s ability to function. Similarly, Rf component location is crucial, and enough ground shielding is required while taking EMI/EMC effects into account. It is crucial to properly function ICs that coupling and decoupling capacitors are placed close to corresponding pins. After completing proper placement, it is easy to handle the routing of tracks.

Power Distribution and thermal management: In Pcb design, the distribution of power is a key aspect of electronic design that needs to be planned and thought out carefully. While a poorly constructed network can result in problems like voltage drop, overheating, and component failure, a well-planned power distribution network can guarantee the dependability and performance of the electronic device. Similarly, thermal management of power-generating components is very necessary. To control the board’s temperature, a variety of heat dissipation strategies can be used, such as the placement of heat sinks, thermal pads, and thermal vias.

Signal Integrity: When choosing trace lengths and layer thicknesses for high-speed signals, take care to provide controlled impedance.
To preserve signal integrity, use appropriate routing approaches, such as avoiding sharp and rough bends and making sure that trace lengths are constant. To prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems, use ground planes and shielding techniques.
Keep noisy or high-frequency signals away from sensitive traces to minimize cross-talk.

Compliance and Standards: Make that the design complies with industry standards and guidelines relevant to the particular application, such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance, IPC Class 2, and IPC Class 3.

Manufacturability: The designer should consider the capabilities provided by the manufacturer where the PCB will be manufactured. When designing a PCB, the minimum and maximum values have to be taken into mind by electronic manufacturing services. Circuit board manufacturers require accuracy while handling complicated designs. When designing a complicated design, cooperation, and communication with the manufacturer are essential because it helps save money, effort, and time for all involved.

Conclusion:

Before selecting your PCB manufacturer for your multilayer PCBs, you need to check if the manufacturer employs a skilled engineering staff of highly qualified and dedicated professionals in the latest technologies who make sure that you receive an optimized design from the outset, increasing the probability that the design will be completed on time. It will be great if the manufacturer also provides assistance in selecting the best material in order to meet your requirements.

In UK and Europe, there are few manufacturers like PCB Runner who can do everything under one roof. To get white gloves service, feel free to contact us or get a free quote now!

Soldering Techniques for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

Soldering techniques for printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential for anyone who wants to work with electronic circuits. The soldering process includes joining two metal surfaces with a filler metal called solder. This article will discuss some of PCBs’ most common soldering techniques.

Through-hole soldering:

Through-hole soldering is one of PCBs’ oldest and most common soldering techniques. It involves inserting components into pre-drilled holes on the PCB and then soldering the leads of the components to the pads on the opposite side of the board. This technique benefits large parts, such as connectors or transformers, which require mechanical support.

To perform through-hole soldering, you will need a soldering iron, a soldering stand, a flux pen, solder wire, and a pair of pliers. Start by cleaning the tip of your soldering iron and then applying a small amount of solder to the tip to help transfer heat. Next, apply flux to the pads on the PCB and insert the component into the hole. Hold the component in place with a pair of pliers and then apply heat to the pad and lead using the soldering iron. Once the solder has melted, remove the iron and allow the joint to cool.

Surface-mount soldering:

Surface-mount soldering is a newer technique for small electronic components that do not have leads that go through the PCB. Instead, they have pads on the surface of the PCB to which they are soldered. This technique is beneficial for small electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.

To perform surface-mount soldering, you will need a hot air reflow station, a flux pen, solder paste, and tweezers. Initially, the flux is applied to the SMD pads, then a small amount of solder paste is printed on the respective SMD pads. Due to tiny components, the components cannot be hand placed. In this case, tweezers will help place the components on the paste with proper alignment. If this process is done manually, tweezers can help place the components on SMD pads. After placing the components, the boards go into the hot air reflow over or station in which they are pre-heated for a specific period, and as time increases, the heat melts the solder paste and glues up the components on the PCBs. After the process the board heating process, the machine decreases the temperature to a certain amount with time to cool down the assembled boards. Most EMS providers perform these tasks through automated pick-and-place machines, which help achieve accuracy and save time.

Wave soldering:

The wave soldering process helps assemble high-volume quantities with through-hole components. It helps all the through-hole components to get soldered in less time and with accuracy, as suggested by IPC. The process starts by passing the PCBs over the molten solder wave, which touches with the Plated through hole components leads and creates a strong joint between the board and the components.

Wave soldering machines are industrial machines primarily available at Electronic Manufacturing Service providers like PCB Runner. The required types of equipment are similar to SMD, like a flux applicator, solder wire, and a pre-heating station. The process starts with applying flux on the PCB and placing the Through hole components by hand. After placing all the components, the boards are passed through the pre-heating station to warm up the PCB and settle the flux on the PCB. After the PCBs are placed on the rail, the rail takes the PCB forward to the molten solder, which wets the pads and creates strong solder joints between the components and the boards. After a successful trip of molten solder, the PCBs get into a cooling station to cool down the molten solder.

In conclusion, soldering techniques for PCBs are essential skills for anyone working with electronic circuits. Through-hole soldering, surface-mount soldering, and wave soldering are the most common techniques used for PCBs, each with advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the different techniques and their applications allows you to choose the most appropriate technique for your project and produce high-quality solder joints.