Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

Lithium-based batteries offer high-energy density for devices. However, the materials within the cell are extremely unstable and reactive. Due to this issue, these batteries are considered dangerous and hazardous goods under United Nations regulations.

For decades, 130°C and 150°C Tg FR-4 materials were widely used throughout the printed circuit board industry. Many legacy PCB drawings still specify these materials today. However, PCB manufacturers are finding that traditional 130°C and 150°C Tg FR-4 laminates are becoming increasingly difficult to source.

Printed circuit boards used in extreme environments must withstand temperature extremes, vibration, shock, moisture, chemicals, corrosion, and high electrical stress.

Cable shielding plays an important role in protecting electrical signals from electromagnetic interference, but not every cable assembly requires the same level of protection. Adding a shield can improve signal integrity and reduce susceptibility to interference, but it can also increase cable diameter, stiffness, cost, and assembly complexity.

At the conclusion of our webinar, Tips for Designing Custom Cable Assemblies Used in Medical Diagnostics Equipment, we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Epec Product Manager Team Lead Steven J. Goodman. We compiled these into a readable format on our blog.

Flexible circuits offer advantages that rigid PCBs cannot, including improved reliability, reduced weight, and the ability to fit into compact or dynamic applications. However, these benefits often come with manufacturing considerations that can influence the overall cost of the finished circuit.

In the electronics industry, engineers regularly rely on STEP files to share 3D data between customers and external suppliers of components like cables, battery packs, machined parts, and more.

When designing a battery management system, it is crucial that the correct fuel gauge is selected. Selecting the best-fit fuel gauge for your battery pack will improve both efficiency and overall accessibility.

When starting a new PCB design or revision, considering the end application is usually at the forefront. Most of what we produce here at Epec is built to IPC-6012, the latest revision and Class II. Industry standards, as defined, and, of course, customer specifications, fabrication drawings, and the purchase order related to it are all taken into consideration, but these are typically part of the fabrication-to-quote and occur when the design is complete. So, what should be considered long before the quote and purchase?

Walk outside and look around. Chances are you will interact with several human-to-machine electronic interfaces before the day is over. You may use the keypad at a gas station, enter a code on a garage door opener, check a trail camera in the woods, or navigate using a chartplotter multifunction display (MFD) on a boat.