What is blank PCB?

The courteous term for “blank PCB” is the PCB board that is devoid of electronic components, serving as a foundation for PCBA. Blank PCB is an electronic board composed of epoxy fiber, copper film or PCB ink. The simplicity of this board offers ample latitude for engineers and designers, allowing components to be added at will, thus possessing high degree of flexibility and apt for batch production.

What are the components of blank PCB?

The blank PCB (printing circuit board) is mainly composed of the following parts:

1. The substrate: Also known as the circuit board or PCB board, is the main part of the PCB. Generally consisting of insulating material, such as glass fiber enhanced epoxy resin (FR-4). It is the support and connection part of the circuit element on the PCB.

2. Conductive layer: composed of copper foil, covering one or sides of the substrate. The conductive layer is used to connect to electronic components and circuits.

3. pad: The pad is a metal area on the wire layer for welding connection with components. The pad is a metal part on PCB, which is used to connect electronic components and PCB.

4. Welle layer: a green paint film covered on PCB, which is used to protect circuits and pads to prevent short circuits and corrosion circuits.

5. Horcho: Including metal perforated and non -metallic pores, the metal pores are used to connect component pins between layers.

6. Installation holes: used for fixed circuit boards.

7. Wire: Electrical network copper film for connecting component pins.

8. Plug -in: The component of the connection between the circuit board.

9. Filling: Copper for the ground network network can effectively reduce impedance.

10. Electrical boundary: It is used to determine the size of the circuit board, and the components on the board cannot exceed the boundary.

Types of blank printed circuit boards

There are different types of blanks PCBs. In this section, we will look at the following types of blank PCBs:

AIN PCB and Alumina PCB
Both are distinct types of ceramic materials. They both have an impressive thermal conductivity. For IC use, AIN PCBs are the best to apply.

Both alumina and AIN PCBs are ideal for laser electronics, automotive sensors, and high-power LED applications, among many other functions.


High-frequency PCB
Otherwise known as a fast or RF microwave PCB, this is a blank PCB transmitting and receiving signals with top frequency. It is PTFE-based.

These types of blank PCBs have different applications, including their use in missiles, smartphones, global positioning systems, anti-collision mechanisms, antennas, and radars, among several other uses.

When choosing high frequency PCB manufacturers, it is important to look at the kind of technology that they use. This will determine whether or not they are able to reduce contraction and expansion of high-frequency PCBs. This contraction and expansion can take a toll on the performance of the blank printed circuit board. Therefore, thermal expansion needs to be as slight as it can be.

That is why vigilance is important when selecting a blank PCB dealer. You can always trust IBE’s technology in fabrication and assembly of PCBs.


Rigid-flex PCB and flexible PCB
From the name, you can already tell that these blank PCBs can bend. They are based on PET or PI. As for rigid-flex PCBs, their flex area has FR4 PCB layers laminated onto them.

For flexible PCBs, an ED or RA copper foil is applied. This is not the same with rigid-flex PCBs, as they only rely on RA copper.


Metal core PCB
Yet another blank PCB variant is the metal core PCB. They include both copper and aluminum PCBs. Due to their enhanced thermal conductivity, they are an ideal pick for power applications such as LED lighting.

For the insulation of the metallic core and the copper circuit layers, a dielectric is used. This dielectric determines the thermal conductivity.

FR4 PCB

By far the most popular blank PCB is the FR4 version. FR4 is an abbreviation that translates to flame retardant level 4. It has epoxy fiberglass and is quite simple to create. An FR4 quote is lower than most other PCBs. It is even cheaper than PCBs with the same complexity in circuitry.

Test method of blank PCB

The test of blank PCB is a key step to ensure the quality and performance of the circuit board. The following are several common blank PCB test methods:

     1. Ois visual inspection: Use a magnifying glass or calibrated microscope for visual inspection to determine whether the circuit board has defects, poor welding or other problems. This is the most traditional detection method, but its subjectivity and efficiency are low, which may not be applicable for complex PCB.

     2. Online test: identify manufacturing defects through electrical performance testing, and test simulation, digital and hybrid signal components to ensure that they meet the specifications. Common test methods include needle bed tester and flying needle tester. The advantage of this method is that the test cost is low and the test speed is fast, but special test fixtures and programming requires.

    3. Function test: In the middle stage of the production line and the end, the special testing equipment is used to comprehensively test the functional module of the circuit board. This method can confirm the quality of the circuit board, but the test cost is high, and special test equipment and personnel are required.

    4. Automatic X -ray check: Use different substances to absorb X -ray, and perspective needs to be detected to find defects. This method can detect problems such as poor welding and lack of components, but the electrical performance problem cannot be detected.

     5. Laser detection system: It is the latest development of PCB test technology, which has the characteristics of high precision, high speed and high reliability. It can scan the surface of the circuit board by laser to detect tiny defects and poor welding problems.

How a blank PCB is made?

In order to make a blank PCB, you’ll have to design and have PCB manufacturer fabricate the boards.
PCB designing typically follows the process of separating clock and analog signals. Also, the line angles need to be larger than 135 degrees. Lines have to be as short as they can be.

As you complete the PCB design, you’ll have to check on the following factors:

▶ Manufacturability
▶ Small electromagnetic interference
▶ Even impedance
▶ At IBE, we promise to deliver a perfect PCBA DFA and PCB DFM.

 

Conclude

If you are looking for PCB light board suppliers, you can contact us. We produce a variety of light board PCB. There are ceramics, rigidity, flexible, rigidity combination, heavy copper PCB and so on. We provide PCB services for customer service around the world. We also have EMS solutions, PCB manufacturing and assembly. Welcome to leave a message.