SMT Component Rework: Chip Removal and Soldering Guide SMT component rework is the process of removing a defective or misplaced surface mount component and soldering a new part in its place. Chip resistors, capacitors, and inductors are commonly referred to as surface mount chip assemblies. Rework is simple when the…

SMT PCB Design Process: Schematic to Layout Guide The SMT PCB design process takes an electronic circuit from a schematic diagram to a finished board that can be manufactured and assembled. The process includes circuit design, PCB file creation, board planning, component layout, routing rules, and output generation. A clear…

Gold Finger PCB Chamfer Guide: Process, Angle, Design and Cost What Gold Fingers Are Gold fingers are the row of plated contacts along the edge of a board that plugs into a mating connector, such as the edge of a memory module, a graphics card or an expansion card. They…

PCB Reflow Warpage Prevention: Bending Control Guide PCB reflow warpage prevention is necessary because the board must remain flat while it is heated, soldered, and cooled inside the reflow oven. During SMT assembly, the PCB can bend or warp when it is exposed to the high temperature of reflow soldering.…

PCB Cleaning Guide: Process, Methods, Standards and Cost What PCB Cleaning Is PCB cleaning is the removal of contaminants from a board after fabrication or assembly, using chemical or physical processes to restore a clean, reliable surface. Boards accumulate solder flux residue, ionic contamination, solder paste remnants, dust, fingerprints and…

SMT PCB Assembly Terms: BOM, DIP, SMT and SMD Guide SMT PCB assembly terms such as BOM, DIP, SMT, and SMD are used in almost every electronics manufacturing document. A customer who understands these terms can communicate more clearly with the PCB assembly factory, review the process, and check the…

PCB Trace Width and Copper Weight Chart Guide Why Trace Width and Copper Weight Matter PCB trace width and copper weight decide how much current a conductor can carry, how hot it gets, how much voltage it drops and how reliable the board remains over its life. A trace that…

SMT Component Selection Guide for PCB Assembly SMT component selection is one of the first and most important steps in PCB design. The component package determines how the part is placed, soldered, inspected, and tested. A well-chosen package saves PCB area, improves reliability, and makes the assembly process easier to…

GPU PCB Guide: Layers, Materials, Design and Cost for Graphics Cards What a GPU PCB Is A GPU PCB is the circuit board that carries the graphics processor and every component around it, from memory and power delivery to the PCIe connector and control circuits. The GPU PCB provides the…

Ceramic PCB Materials Guide: Alumina, AlN, BeO and Si3N4 What Ceramic PCBs Are Ceramic PCB materials replace the epoxy glass of a normal FR4 board with a ceramic substrate that carries copper circuitry directly on its surface. The switch to ceramic is driven by applications such as electric vehicles, 5G…