A fine-line HDI PCB is used for compact electronics that require fine-pitch components, microvias, dense routing and stable signal performance. It helps reduce board size while improving circuit density and reliability. This guide covers key design rules, trace width and spacing, materials, stackup, SAP vs mSAP, manufacturing process, quality testing, cost factors and supplier selection. … [Read more…]
Davinder Lotay Davinder Lotay is a respected UK business leader and Managing Director of Altimex Ltd, a UK specialist in high-reliability PCB assembly, bespoke LED lighting, interconnect solutions, and fibre optics. With over 20 years of experience in sectors, Davinder has led the delivery of precision-engineered solutions for a range of industries where quality, compliance, … [Read more…]
What is PCB in IoT, and why does it matter for reliable smart devices? In every connected product, the PCB supports sensors, wireless modules, power circuits, connectors, and control components, making it the hardware foundation of IoT performance. A well-designed PCB in IoT can improve wireless stability, battery life, signal accuracy, assembly yield, and long-term … [Read more…]
Davinder Lotay Davinder Lotay is a respected UK business leader and Managing Director of Altimex Ltd, a UK specialist in high-reliability PCB assembly, bespoke LED lighting, interconnect solutions, and fibre optics. With over 20 years of experience in sectors, Davinder has led the delivery of precision-engineered solutions for a range of industries where quality, compliance, … [Read more…]
Automotive PCB fabrication is more than producing a circuit board for a vehicle. It is about building a reliable electrical foundation for control modules, lighting systems, sensors, power electronics, battery systems, and connected automotive devices where heat, vibration, current load, impedance stability, and long service life all matter. This article explains how automotive PCB projects … [Read more…]
Understanding how PCB assembly works means understanding where projects succeed or fail. It is not just a sequence of steps, it is a controlled process where early decisions affect cost, timelines, and long-term reliability. Design choices influence manufacturability, material and component selection affect performance and availability, assembly methods define density and durability, and testing confirms … [Read more…]
How thick gold conductor printed on ceramic PCB depends on the manufacturing method, conductor paste, firing profile, circuit function, and required reliability level. In thick-film ceramic PCB production, printed gold conductors are commonly around 5–20 μm after firing. Many commercial gold conductor pastes are designed around 6–12 μm fired thickness for one print pass. If … [Read more…]
The cost of PCB assembly is shaped by more than the unit price on a quotation. Design complexity, component availability, material choice, assembly method, testing requirements and delivery expectations all affect the final cost. This matters because many costs are decided before production starts. A layout that is difficult to assemble, a hard-to-source component, or … [Read more…]
Is RT 5880 the right PCB material for your low-loss high frequency design? RF, microwave, antenna, radar, and broadband communication boards need stable dielectric behavior, controlled impedance, and low signal loss. RT 5880 helps these designs because it uses a PTFE-based structure with very low dielectric loss and a low dielectric constant. This article explains … [Read more…]
Printed circuit board assembly has shifted significantly over the past four decades. As electronics moved from large, single-layer boards to compact, multilayer systems, manufacturing methods had to adapt. Surface Mount PCBs emerged as a defining step in that shift. Engineers evaluating SMT vs through-hole assembly now assess more than mounting style. They consider automation, board … [Read more…]