FAQ
Do you handle Prototype PCBs or Small Volume PCB production orders?
Yes, we can manufacture PCBs in any volume. MOQ =1pcs (One piece, or one PCB Panel).
Are my PCB Design Files safe when submitting them to you for manufacturing?
RichPCBA respect customer's copyright and will never manufacture PCBs for someone else with your files unless we receive written.
Permission from you, nor we'll share these files with any other 3rd parties. At your request, we can sign an NDA for extra security.
How is the cost of prototype PCB assembly estimated?
The following factors need to be considered to estimate the cost of prototype PCB assembly.
1) The total number of components
2) Quantity and the size of the batch
3) The assembly technology used
4) The required manufacturing process
5) The number of layers of bare PCB and materials used
6)The requirements of conformal coating
Do you handle small-batch PCB production orders?
Yes, we do. RichFullJoy focuses on small to medium-volume PCB & PCBA production.
Why should I opt for low-volume low-cost printed circuit boards?
To reduce the probability of defective products in high-volume production.
To decide whether to cooperate with the PCB manufacturer in the future for high-volume production.
Why do I need to panelize my boards?
Panelization is needed when your PCB dimension is smaller than 50mmx100mm, or when your PCB is of any shapes (circular, or odd shape) other than rectangle, your boards must be panelized in an array for assembly. As we also fabricate your PCB for you, so once we start fabricating your boards we will have the panelization file (solder paste data), we will transfer the data to PCBA department to create the stencil to match the panelized PCB.
What exactly is a PCB?
A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board used to hold a chip or other electronic components. To accommodate various design needs, a PCB can be a single layer or consist of multiple layers. PCBs can also be single-sided or double-sided in design.
Several PCBs can be linked in a single device, using either flexible or rigid connectors.
Are PCBs flexible or rigid?
The answer is both. PCBs can be either flexible or rigid in design.
Rigid PCBs are designed not to move, and typically cost less to manufacture than flexible PCBs.
Flexible PCBs, or flex boards, are designed to move, twist and fold into the desired configuration, and can eliminate the need for connectors and other components, which can reduce overall production costs.
RichFullJoy can work with you to determine the ideal solution for your design — one that maximizes efficiencies.
How are PCBs manufactured?
PCBs are typically made of multiple layers, including RF4 material substrate (such as fiberglass) for insulation, and copper to conduct electric current.
Creating a PCB is a multi-step process that includes:
#1 Designing the PCB – advanced software is used to determine the size, dimensions and number of layers needed for the PCB.
#2 Printing the PCB design – a specialized printer called a plotter printer is used to print the design, which is made up of multiple layers for the conductive and non-conductive areas. The print becomes the foundation of the substrate, which holds the components of the structure includes copper on both sides of the layer.
#3 Printing the copper for the interior layers – the design of the PCB is printed to a laminate that includes a film designed to react with ultraviolet light to properly align the board and the layout of the electrical components.
#4 Getting rid of the extra copper – because the design has been cooked and processed with ultraviolet lights, certain areas are hardened and the copper is bonded to the board. The next step is to use a chemical solution to remove the unnecessary copper from the board.
#5 Inspection and layer alignment – once the extra copper is removed, the design must be scrutinized to ensure all the layer and drill holes align properly. A machine drills a pin through the layers to keep them aligned. Then another machine tests the board for errors.
#6 Laminating the PCB layers – once the board passes inspection, an epoxy resin layer is applied to laminate the board. Another layer of substrate is applied, then layers of substrate resin and copper foil are applied and pressed together.
#7 Drilling holes – a computer-guided drill is used to drill holes through the substrate and inner panels at the appropriate places for the design. Once drilling is completed, any copper left over is removed.
#8 PCB plating – an additional copper layer is added to the board, followed by a thin tin guard to protect the outer layer of copper from being etched off. From there, the PCB receives a solder mask, silkscreen with critical information and placed with a solderable finish.
What’s included in the total cost of a PCB order?
Many design factors will help determine the total cost of a PCB. For example, the size, number of layers, type of board laminate used, and the total number of boards produced can greatly impact the overall cost.
What are the advantages of using a printed circuit board?
PCBs provide many benefits for designers and manufacturers of electronic devices. Printed circuit boards:
Save space – They save space in the device by allowing all interconnections to take place on the board itself, without the need for current to be carried through multiple wires.
Allow for easy installation and repair – troubleshooting and diagnostic testing are easy to conduct to address on the PCB, as all components are clearly labeled.
Provide quick assembly – compared to conventional methods of connecting circuits, PCBs save time in assembly.
Stay in place – because all the electronic components are soldered to a single board, they do not shift when moved.
Efficient to mass produce – PCBs can be produced in large quantities at a more cost-effective rate than other power methods of component connectivity.
Provide reliable power – because connections are made with the copper tracks on the board, they are less likely to come loose.
How many PCB layers can RichFullJoy create in one board?
Our experienced team can manufacture rigid 2-68layer boards , Speak with our engineers to help determine the ideal PCB for your needs.
What is PCB made of?
The board itself is made of four key components:
Substrate – the foundation of the PCB, a substrate is usually made of fiberglass or some other non-conductive material. Substrates can be single or multiple layers.
Copper – used to transmit electric current, the copper within a PCB takes the place of wires.
Solder mask – the metal used to create connections between the surface of the PCB and the electronic components. The solder mask protects the electronic traces underneath from unfavorable conditions.
Silkscreen – a layer of ink traces that are used to label electronic components, warnings and other features unique to that device’s connectivity.
Before moving into the production of final PCB production, a prototype must be validated to ensure all components are connected and work properly to power the device.
What color are circuit boards?
It may seem like it’s the substrate that gives the PCB the color, but it’s actually the solder mask. The substrate will typically be green, but the solder mask that goes over it can be blue, yellow, orange, purple, red, black, white, or of course, green
What soldermask colors you have available?
We can support almost all kinds of solder mask colors. However, our most commonly used colors are Red, Green, Black, Blue, White.
What surface finishes are available?
Eiectronic gold plating,ENlG,Hard gold
plating,Gold Finger,lmmersion Silver,lmmersionTin,HASl
LF,OSP,ENEPIG,Soft gold plating
What is the minimum trace width and spacing you can handle?
Trace width: 3 mils
Trace/line spacing: 3mils
When fabricating narrower traces, there is a smaller tolerance to work with, so over-etching can occur. Our controlled etching process produces the proper trace width.
Are you capable of making flex boards?
Yes, we maufacture flexible and rigid-flex PCBs
What electrical testing methods do you use?
We use two types of test methods:
Flying Probe
Test Fixture
Are you capable of manufacturing high RF application PCBs?
Yes, we have the ability to manufacture PCBs for high-frequency and RF applications.
How should I provide special instructions?
You can either send us an email mentioning your special instructions or send us a readme file with your specifications.
Can you make High Density Interconnect PCBs (HDI)?
Yes, we can make HDI PCBs. For more information please visit our PCB Fabrication page.
To achieve higher circuit density than traditional PCBs, HDI printed circuit boards utilize a combination of advanced features and technologies such as blind/ buried vias, laser-drilled stacked micro-vias, via-in-pads techniques, among others.
Does you offer special milling or control depth routing?
Yes, we do provide control depth routing and special milling.
What type of laminates do you use in PCB fabrication?
We use a variety of laminates such as FR4, High TG FR4, Rogers, Arlon, Aluminium Base, Polymide, Ceramic, Taconic, Megtron, etc.
What are the difference of rigid PCB and rigid-flex PCB?
Rigid-flex circuit boards are a combination of rigid circuit boards and flex circuit boards.
What are some of the benefits of using rigid PCBs?
Rigid PCBs are the most widely used PCBs. It’s main benefits are:
High dimensional stability
High reliability
Low-cost