--- title: Epec's Blog | Printed Circuit Boards (13) description: Printed Circuit Boards | A manufacturing blog focusing on posts about customized product solutions that are beneficial to engineers or anyone in the electronics industry. (13) --- [![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/) - 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[Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) [![](https://www.epectec.com/images/InstantPCBQuote-logo.png)](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) [Login](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/) [Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) Register to Quote and Order Your PCBs Fast, Easy & Online, 24/7 - [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 --- ## [Urban Legends of PCB Processes: ENIG Black Pad](https://blog.epectec.com/urban-legends-of-pcb-processes-enig-black-pad) [![Black Pad Quality Issue on Immersion Gold PCB](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/black-pad-quality-issue-on-immersion-gold-pcb.jpg "Black Pad Quality Issue on Immersion Gold PCB")](https://blog.epectec.com/urban-legends-of-pcb-processes-enig-black-pad) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on January 19, 2018 at 2:37 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) I can remember the first ‘incident’ of black pad, years ago, when Epec started to use the electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) process. We didn’t notice the issue at the time, as it is not evident on the bare board, but received the complaint from assembly as it was later identified on completed assemblies. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/urban-legends-of-pcb-processes-enig-black-pad) --- ## [Manufacturing Issues with RF Circuit Boards](https://blog.epectec.com/manufacturing-issues-with-rf-circuit-boards) [![PCB Manufactured with RF Laminate Material](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/pcb-manufactured-with-rf-laminate-material.jpg "PCB Manufactured with RF Laminate Material")](https://blog.epectec.com/manufacturing-issues-with-rf-circuit-boards) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on January 5, 2018 at 2:02 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) If you’re a designer of [RF or microwave printed circuit boards](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/microwave-rf-circuit-boards.html) you’ve probably already selected a laminate material that is appropriate to your project, having based your choice primarily on the electrical requirements of the circuit, such as signal speed, loss rate etc. Be careful, however, not to overlook the fact that the specialty materials used in such designs also possess unusual mechanical characteristics; processing is different from that of normal FR4 boards. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/manufacturing-issues-with-rf-circuit-boards) --- ## [The PCB Jump Scoring Process](https://blog.epectec.com/the-pcb-jump-scoring-process) [![Examples Of V-score Cuts That Are Jumped](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/examples-of-v-score-cuts-that-are-jumped.jpg "Examples Of V-score Cuts That Are Jumped")](https://blog.epectec.com/the-pcb-jump-scoring-process) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on October 12, 2017 at 3:36 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) PCB jump scoring is a controlled variation of the [V-score process](https://blog.epectec.com/v-scoring-of-printed-circuit-boards-in-arrays) that preserves panel rigidity by stopping the score before entering the waste rails. This method prevents premature separation of parts during assembly, especially in [printed circuit board (PCB)](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) designs with heavy components or thin laminates. Clear drawing callouts and proper programming of V-score equipment are essential to ensure the intended result. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/the-pcb-jump-scoring-process) --- ## [Outline of Circuit Board Blind Vias Process Costs](https://blog.epectec.com/outline-of-circuit-board-blind-vias-process-costs) [![Printed Circuit Board Using HDI Technology](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/printed-circuit-board-using-hdi-technology.jpg "Printed Circuit Board Using HDI Technology")](https://blog.epectec.com/outline-of-circuit-board-blind-vias-process-costs) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on October 5, 2017 at 11:37 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Miniaturization in electronics drives the need for both component and [printed circuit board designers](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/layout-and-design.html) to work within ever-shrinking footprints in order to remain competitive. The signal routing requirements for many ball grid array (BGA) components are such that through hole via drilling is becoming less and less practical. This makes it necessary in many instances to use blind vias to form interconnections between layer pairs. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/outline-of-circuit-board-blind-vias-process-costs) --- ## [PCB Design Considerations for Tight Spacing](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-considerations-for-tight-spacing) [![Teardrop Smallest Via](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/teardrop-smallest-via.jpg "Teardrop Smallest Via")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-considerations-for-tight-spacing) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on September 14, 2017 at 10:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Printed circuit boards (PCBs) continue to shrink. As each generation of miniaturized components comes along, board designers find themselves able to work within ever-smaller PCB footprint sizes. While this is great news for consumers (compare the size of a 1994 portable phone to one of today’s models) it presents difficulties for fabricators. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-considerations-for-tight-spacing) --- ## [Outsourcing PCB Layout and Design to Reduce Costs and Time to Market](https://blog.epectec.com/outsourcing-pcb-layout-and-design-to-reduce-costs-and-time-to-market) [![Circuit Board Layout Designed With Tight Spacing](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/circuit-board-layout-designed-with-tight-spacing.jpg "Circuit Board Layout Designed With Tight Spacing")](https://blog.epectec.com/outsourcing-pcb-layout-and-design-to-reduce-costs-and-time-to-market) Written by [Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/author/ed-mcmahon) Posted on September 6, 2017 at 9:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Many OEM engineering teams continue to face the same challenge: aggressive development schedules combined with limited engineering resources. As organizations ask engineers to handle a wider range of responsibilities, [printed circuit board](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) (PCB) layout projects can become a bottleneck that delays product development and product launch schedules. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/outsourcing-pcb-layout-and-design-to-reduce-costs-and-time-to-market) --- ## [PCB Layout Manufacturing Best Practices](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-layout-manufacturing-best-practices) [![PCB Minimum Spacing Copper to Copper](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/pcb-minimum-spacing-copper-to-copper.jpg "PCB Minimum Spacing Copper to Copper")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-layout-manufacturing-best-practices) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on August 10, 2017 at 2:12 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) As [printed circuit boards](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) continue to become smaller and more densely populated, design decisions made during PCB layout have a direct impact on fabrication, assembly, and overall manufacturability. Careful planning of via treatment, trace widths, spacing, and solder mask requirements can help reduce manufacturing issues, improve process margins, and support successful production. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-layout-manufacturing-best-practices) --- ## [Poor PCB Silkscreen Legibility Issues](https://blog.epectec.com/poor-pcb-silkscreen-legibility-issue) [![Received PCB Silkscreen Data](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/example-of-received-pcb-silkscreen-data.jpg "Received PCB Silkscreen Data")](https://blog.epectec.com/poor-pcb-silkscreen-legibility-issue) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on July 27, 2017 at 9:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Among the multiple layers of [a printed circuit board (PCB)](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/) lies the PCB silkscreen layer. The placement of the silkscreen markings, whether on the top or bottom layer, in conjunction with the features of the other layers, could affect the final legibility of the printed circuit board markings. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/poor-pcb-silkscreen-legibility-issue) --- ## [How Quick Turn PCB Days Are Counted](https://blog.epectec.com/how-quick-turn-pcb-days-are-counted) [![how pcb quick turn days are counted](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/how-pcb-quick-turn-days-are-counted.jpg "how pcb quick turn days are counted")](https://blog.epectec.com/how-quick-turn-pcb-days-are-counted) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on April 27, 2017 at 4:08 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Early on in the [printed circuit board](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/) (PCB) industry, "quick turn PCB" was a very relative term. Purchase orders were faxed, confirmed with a phone call, and lead time was open for discussion. [Quick turn PCBs](http://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/pcb-online-quick-turns.html)were 7-10 days, maybe as low as 5-days for a fast PCB manufacturer. A 2-day PCB quick turn was a very rare order which designated a person to move through production from process to process, bumping every other board from the line. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/how-quick-turn-pcb-days-are-counted) --- ## [Why Is Lead Free HASL Finish A Hassle?](https://blog.epectec.com/why-is-lead-free-hasl-finish-a-hassle) [![PCB with HASL / Lead Free HASL Surface Finish](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/circuit-board-with-pb-free-hasl.jpg "PCB with HASL / Lead Free HASL Surface Finish")](https://blog.epectec.com/why-is-lead-free-hasl-finish-a-hassle) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on April 11, 2017 at 1:18 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) has always been the main staple of [PCB surface finishes](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/surface-finish-options.html). In the late 1980s, 60/40 tin-lead reflow started to phase out of processes and was replaced with Hot Air Solder Leveling. HASL finish, the long running reliable surface finish, is still used today in military, aerospace, medical, and other applications. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/why-is-lead-free-hasl-finish-a-hassle) [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards/page/12) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards/page/14) --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (162)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (139)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (122)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (103)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (96)](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 (31)](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? 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