While flexible or rigid-flex PCBs are nowadays widely used for most applications, rigid PCBs still hold value and find application in specific segments where rigidity and structural stability are important. Rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities, for any player, depend on different factors, including the complexity of the design, components mounted on the board, number of possible layers, materials used, tolerances, thickness and weight of the board, pad sizes, and much more. These capabilities showcase a player’s flexibility to meet your application’s challenging requirements. An OEM that requires a complex design rigid PCB assembly can easily rely on such players if they have such capabilities and experience. Are you intrigued to know more about rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities? If yes, read this post till the end. The post highlights various aspects of rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities. Stay tuned.
Common Features of Rigid PCB Manufacturing Capabilities
The following list of common factors can be found listed as rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities most PCB assembly service providers offer. Depending on the application requirements, these capabilities are divided into several sub-categories. Their flexibility largely depends on how big is the difference between the upper and lower limits offered.
- Layer Count: The number of layers used in the PCB design directly impacts the prices. A complex design demands more layers, requiring additional materials and manufacturing processes. This results in higher costs. Rigid PCBs comprise four-eight layers which may go up to 40 depending on the application need. Circuit boards with more than two layers are double-sided.
- Material Used: A wide range of materials is used in rigid PCB fabrication, out of which fiberglass or FR4, is the most common one. This is owing to its beneficial physical and chemical properties. Also, it keeps the electronic components intact at their right positions. Conductor materials and adhesives also play an important role in rigid PCB manufacturing. These materials are made by renowned brands such as Du Pont and Rogers which are bought by PCB manufacturers.
- Surface Finish: This is another important aspect of rigid board manufacturing. They serve as a protective layer that ensures the reliability and longevity of the board. Different surface finishes are available for rigid PCBs, each with its characteristics and benefits. The list comprises hot air solder leveling (HASL), electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG), organic solderability preservatives (OSP), and much more. The selection of surface finish depends on various factors, including application, cost, and the PCB’s desired electrical and mechanical properties.
- Solder Mask: It is a thin protective coating applied to copper pads and traces on the circuit boards to prevent them from corrosion, moisture, dust, and chemicals. They are available in different colors, with green being the most commonly used. Aside from green, black, white, red, blue, yellow, gloss, semi-gloss, and matte green are also used.
- Silkscreen: It is a layer coated on the circuit board to identify and locate important symbols, component designators, and other essential information. This can be done using specialized ink of different colors such as red, white, black, and yellow. This ink is resistant to environmental factors and provides contrast against the PCB’s background. Silkscreening improves the accuracy, efficiency, and aesthetics of the circuit board.
- Fabrication Techniques: Different fabrication techniques are used for making rigid PCBs into the required shape and dimensions. This includes bevel, milling, v score, heatsinks, countersink, counterbore, edge plating, routed array, and edge castellation. The selection of the fabrication technique is entirely based on the application requirements.
- Lamination: In this step, the rigid circuit board is laminated between sections, ensuring structural integrity and electrical connectivity. Different laminates are used for rigid PCB manufacturing, including PSA, Nelco, Neltek, Polyclad, FR (406/08/10), and Rogers (3000, 4003, 4353, 5880, 6000).
- Testing and Verification: Like any PCB manufacturing process, rigid PCB manufacturing ends with testing and verification. To fulfill any challenging application demands and ensure accuracy in structure and function, PCBs undergo electrical and functional testing using various manual and automation techniques. This ensures the circuit boards performance, continuity isolation, and quality.
If your upcoming application requires rigid PCBs, consult a reliable PCB manufacturer and assembler that can meet the most niche application requirements. Check their capabilities and certification before partnering with them. Rigiflex Technology stands tall among other competitors. The company has rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities and offers customized end-to-end solutions as per the requirements.
