--- title: Epec's Blog (21) description: A manufacturing blog focusing on posts about customized product solutions that are beneficial to engineers or anyone in the electronics industry. (21) --- [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [About](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - Back - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - [Our History](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/) - [Culture](https://www.epectec.com/about/culture/) - [Industries Served](https://www.epectec.com/about/industry/) - [Acquisitions](https://www.epectec.com/about/acquisitions.html) - [Operations](https://www.epectec.com/operations/) - Back - [Operational Excellence](https://www.epectec.com/operations/) - [Quality Philosophy](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-philosophy.html) - [Quality Assurance Process](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-assurance-process.html) - [Global Operations](https://www.epectec.com/operations/global-operations.html) - [Logistics & Supply Chain](https://www.epectec.com/operations/logistics-and-supply-chain.html) - [Inventory Stocking](https://www.epectec.com/operations/inventory-stocking.html) - [Approvals](https://www.epectec.com/operations/approvals.html) - [ITAR Registered](https://www.epectec.com/operations/itar-registered.html) - [Engineering](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/overview/) - Back - [Engineering Overview](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/overview/) - [Engineering Support](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/support/) - [Design Services](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/design-services/) - [EpecDFx™](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/epecdfx/) - [Free DFM File Check](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/free-dfm.html) - [PCB Impedance Calculator](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/impedance-calculator.html) - [Products](https://www.epectec.com/products/) - Back - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/products/) - [Battery Packs](https://www.epectec.com/batteries/) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBS](https://www.epectec.com/flex/) - [Cable Assemblies](https://www.epectec.com/cable-assemblies/) - [Printed Circuit Boards](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) - [CNC Machining](https://www.epectec.com/cnc-machining/) - [User Interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/) - [Flexible Heaters](https://www.epectec.com/flexible-heaters/) - [EC Fans & Motors](https://www.epectec.com/fans-motors/) - [Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - [Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - Back - Resources - Back - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - Back - [Contact Information](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - [Our Sales Team](https://www.epectec.com/contact/our-sales-team.html) - [Office Locations](https://www.epectec.com/contact/office-locations.html) - [Career Opportunities](https://www.epectec.com/contact/career-opportunities.html) - [InstantPCB*Quote*™](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - Back - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - [Login](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/) - [Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) - [Home](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) Share This Page: [LinkedIn](https://blog.epectec.com/#linkedin) [X](https://blog.epectec.com/#x) [Facebook](https://blog.epectec.com/#facebook) [Email](https://blog.epectec.com/#email) # Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions --- ## [PCB Manufacturing Facilities - Certifications and Compliance Q&A](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-manufacturing-facilities-certifications-compliance-and-security-q-and-a) [![PCB Manufacturing Facilities: Certifications, Compliance, and Security - Q&A](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/social-posts/pcb-manufacturing-facilities-certifications-compliance-and-security.jpg "PCB Manufacturing Facilities: Certifications, Compliance, and Security - Q&A")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-manufacturing-facilities-certifications-compliance-and-security-q-and-a) Written by [Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Posted on March 6, 2023 at 11:54 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) At the conclusion of our webinar, [PCB Manufacturing Facilities: Certifications, Compliance, and Security](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/02-24-2023/pcb-manufacturing-facilities-certifications-compliance-and-security.html) - we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Ed McMahon, CEO at Epec. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-manufacturing-facilities-certifications-compliance-and-security-q-and-a) --- ## [Best PCB Laminate Material To Use For Your Application](https://blog.epectec.com/best-pcb-laminate-material-to-use-for-your-application) [![Variety of PCB laminate materials in stock](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/variety-of-pcb-laminate-materials.jpg "Variety of PCB laminate materials in stock")](https://blog.epectec.com/best-pcb-laminate-material-to-use-for-your-application) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on March 2, 2023 at 8:46 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) As the [oldest production printed circuit board (PCB) company in North America](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/), perhaps in the world, the 70+ year story of Epec Engineered Technologies is connected to the development of the PCB and the electronics industry. Epec’s storied history also includes delivering PCBs for the Apollo 11 spaceflight. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/best-pcb-laminate-material-to-use-for-your-application) --- ## [Determining Root Cause Analysis for Defective Electronics Projects](https://blog.epectec.com/determining-root-cause-analysis-for-defective-electronics-projects) [![Testing a circuit board with a multimeter](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/testing-circuit-board-with-multimeter.jpg "Testing a circuit board with a multimeter")](https://blog.epectec.com/determining-root-cause-analysis-for-defective-electronics-projects) Written by [Justin Bickford](https://blog.epectec.com/author/justin-bickford) Posted on February 22, 2023 at 8:42 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) When it comes to faulty electronics, root-cause analysis is your best friend. Root-cause analysis is a process that helps you identify and correct the causes of problems. You want to find out why something went wrong so you can prevent it from happening again. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/determining-root-cause-analysis-for-defective-electronics-projects) --- ## [Why Tooling Is Important for PCB Manufacturing](https://blog.epectec.com/why-tooling-is-important-for-pcb-manufacturing) [![Master tooling includes coupons, tooling holes, targets, thieving, and other production aids](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/master-pcb-tooling.jpg "Master tooling includes coupons, tooling holes, targets, thieving, and other production aids")](https://blog.epectec.com/why-tooling-is-important-for-pcb-manufacturing) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on February 13, 2023 at 8:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) So, let’s talk about non-recurring charges, better known as NREs, that are applied to most new and new revision first-time orders for manufacturing of [printed circuit boards (PCBs)](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/). These charges help aid in several crucial steps for manufacturing with a cost of processing, programming, testing, and manpower to deliver a quality product. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/why-tooling-is-important-for-pcb-manufacturing) --- ## [Cybersecurity: Our Commitment To Customer Data](https://blog.epectec.com/cybersecurity-our-commitment-to-customer-data) [![Cybersecurity in the workspace](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/cybersecurity-in-the-workplace.jpg "Cybersecurity in the workspace")](https://blog.epectec.com/cybersecurity-our-commitment-to-customer-data) Written by [Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Posted on February 7, 2023 at 9:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Here at Epec, we take cybersecurity extremely seriously, and it's essential to stay up to date on the latest safety measures. That means understanding how hackers and scammers operate so you can protect yourself from them. To do this, it helps to learn about topics like password security, malware protection, data encryption, and firewalls. Taking the time to research these topics now can save you lots of trouble down the road. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/cybersecurity-our-commitment-to-customer-data) --- ## [PCB Prototyping and Troubleshooting with Your Manufacturer](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-prototyping-and-troubleshooting-with-your-manufacturer) [![Broken traces found in netlist](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/trace-break-open-net.jpg "Broken traces found in netlist")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-prototyping-and-troubleshooting-with-your-manufacturer) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on February 1, 2023 at 9:03 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) As a [printed circuit board (PCB)](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) manufacturer for more than 70 years, we have worked with thousands of customers to provide quality products in prototypes of a few pieces to many tens of thousands of circuit boards repetitively. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-prototyping-and-troubleshooting-with-your-manufacturer) --- ## [Guidelines For Designing a Printed Circuit Board](https://blog.epectec.com/guidelines-for-designing-a-printed-circuit-board) [![Example of a high-speed PCB design](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/high-speed-pcb-design-1.jpg "Example of a high-speed PCB design")](https://blog.epectec.com/guidelines-for-designing-a-printed-circuit-board) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on January 24, 2023 at 9:18 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) From a [printed circuit board (PCB)](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) manufacturing supplier’s point of view, often we are consulted about design and layout at the concept phase. Over the past many years, we have seen an increase in customers asking to assist with design, layout, and modifications to the circuit board. From this repeat request, we developed an engineering team to make it happen. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/guidelines-for-designing-a-printed-circuit-board) --- ## [What Type of HMI Is The Best Choice For Your Application](https://blog.epectec.com/what-type-of-hmi-is-the-best-choice-for-your-application) [![FPC circuit membrane switch paired with silicone elastomer keypad](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/fpc-circuit-membrane-switch-paired-with-silicone-elastomer-keypad.jpg "FPC circuit membrane switch paired with silicone elastomer keypad")](https://blog.epectec.com/what-type-of-hmi-is-the-best-choice-for-your-application) Written by [Steven J Goodman](https://blog.epectec.com/author/steven-j-goodman) Posted on January 18, 2023 at 8:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) We hear this a lot when it comes to our [user interface product solutions](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/). The name, or names of these products, vary depending on who is talking. From membrane switches, silicone rubber keypads, keyboards, and touchscreens, these are all considered human-machine interfaces, aka HMI. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/what-type-of-hmi-is-the-best-choice-for-your-application) --- ## [Battery Cell Chemistries and Alternatives Due To Supply Chain Issues](https://blog.epectec.com/battery-cell-chemistries-and-alternatives-due-to-supply-chain-issues) [![Lithium battery cells, tab welded, awaiting BMS for assembly](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/lithium-battery-cells-tab-welded.jpg "Lithium battery cells, tab welded, awaiting BMS for assembly")](https://blog.epectec.com/battery-cell-chemistries-and-alternatives-due-to-supply-chain-issues) Written by [Anton Beck](https://blog.epectec.com/author/anton-beck) Posted on January 10, 2023 at 9:24 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Around the world, [battery pack manufacturers](https://www.epectec.com/batteries/) are dealing with supply chain issues. These issues are impacting lead times when they gain battery cell chemistry and battery management system materials. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/battery-cell-chemistries-and-alternatives-due-to-supply-chain-issues) --- ## [Best Ways to Keep Costs Lower When Developing High-Tech PCB](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-keep-costs-lower-when-developing-high-tech-pcb) [![Multi-layer PCB Design with ground layers omitted](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/blog/example-of-a-multi-layer-pcb-design.jpg "Multi-layer PCB Design with ground layers omitted")](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-keep-costs-lower-when-developing-high-tech-pcb) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on January 5, 2023 at 8:48 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Lowering PCB cost is primarily driven by design decisions made before layout begins, including layer count, board thickness, drill strategy, surface finish, and material selection. Small changes to copper layers, via structures, and panel utilization can significantly impact manufacturability, yield, and overall pricing. [Read More  ](https://blog.epectec.com/best-ways-to-keep-costs-lower-when-developing-high-tech-pcb) [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/page/20) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/page/22) --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (160)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (137)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (121)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (101)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (95)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flex-rigid-flex-pcbs) - [Electronics Industry (61)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/electronics-industry) - [User Interfaces (55)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) - [Quality Solutions (33)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/quality-solutions) - [Flexible Heaters (30)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flexible-heaters) - [Events, Training, and Support (9)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/events-training-and-support) - [RF Products (7)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/rf-products) - [CNC Machining (3)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cnc-machining) - [Fans & Motors (1)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/fans-motors) See All --- --- ### Need Help with A Project? [![Request Design Support](https://blog.epectec.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/design-support-ad.jpg?width=350&name=design-support-ad.jpg)](https://info.epectec.com/request-design-support) Our team of engineers are here to help you with all your product needs. [Request Design Support](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707152/0d3cd574-22cb-48a2-867e-1a7ffba28403) Manufacturing That Eliminates Risk & Improves Reliability [sales@epectec.com](mailto:sales@epectec.com?subject=Website%20Information%20Request) [(888) 995-5171](tel:888-995-5171) ##### Support & Contact Our knowledgeable staff has many years of experience in the industry. We welcome the opportunity to put our skills to work for you! Please contact us with any questions or requests. - [176 Samuel Barnet Blvd, New Bedford, MA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q6JVMv3eQgw29fNY8) - [sales@epectec.com](mailto:sales@epectec.com?subject=Website%20Information%20Request) - [(888) 995-5171](tel:888-995-5171) --- ###### Certifications [![UL Certified Manufacturer](https://www.epectec.com/images/certified-ul.png "UL Certified Manufacturer")](http://www.ul.com/) [![ITAR Registered Manufacturer](https://www.epectec.com/images/certified-itar.png "ITAR Registered Manufacturer")](https://www.epectec.com/operations/itar-registered.html) [![RoHS Compliant Manufacturer](https://www.epectec.com/images/certified-rohs-compliant.png "RoHS Compliant Manufacturer")](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/rohs-compliant.html) [![ISO9001 Certified Manufacturer](https://www.epectec.com/images/certified-iso9001.png "ISO9001 Certified Manufacturer")](https://www.epectec.com/operations/approvals.html) [![ISO27001 Certified Manufacturer](https://www.epectec.com/images/certified-iso27001.png "ISO27001 Certified Manufacturer")](https://www.epectec.com/operations/approvals.html) --- - ##### About - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - [Our History](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/) - [Culture](https://www.epectec.com/about/culture/) - [Industries Served](https://www.epectec.com/about/industry/) - [Acquisitions](https://www.epectec.com/about/acquisitions.html) - ##### Operations - [Operational Excellence](https://www.epectec.com/operations/) - [Quality Philosophy](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-philosophy.html) - [Quality Assurance Process](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-assurance-process.html) - [Global Operations](https://www.epectec.com/operations/global-operations.html) - [Logistics & Supply Chain](https://www.epectec.com/operations/logistics-and-supply-chain.html) - [Inventory Stocking](https://www.epectec.com/operations/inventory-stocking.html) - [Approvals](https://www.epectec.com/operations/approvals.html) - [ITAR Registered](https://www.epectec.com/operations/itar-registered.html) - ##### Engineering - [Engineering Overview](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/overview/) - [Engineering Support](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/support/) - [Design Services](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/design-services/) - [EpecDFx™](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/epecdfx/) - [Free DFM File Check](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/free-dfm.html) - [PCB Impedance Calculator](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/impedance-calculator.html) - ##### Products - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/products/) - [Battery Packs](https://www.epectec.com/batteries/) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBS](https://www.epectec.com/flex/) - [Cable Assemblies](https://www.epectec.com/cable-assemblies/) - [Printed Circuit Boards](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) - [CNC Machining](https://www.epectec.com/cnc-machining/) - [User Interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/) - [Flexible Heaters](https://www.epectec.com/flexible-heaters/) - [EC Fans & Motors](https://www.epectec.com/fans-motors/) ##### Social Community Join our Social Community and keep in touch with all our latest technology investments, current news, upcoming events, and promotions. --- © 2026 Copyright Epec, LLC. 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