--- title: Epec's Blog | Printed Circuit Boards (15) 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. (15) --- [![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) - 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[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) [![](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 --- ## [Epec PCB Engineering Support: Around The Clock Commitment](https://blog.epectec.com/epec-pcb-engineering-support-around-the-clock-commitment) [![Epec's 24/7 PCB Engineering Support](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/Angie-B-Designing.jpg "Epec's 24/7 PCB Engineering Support")](https://blog.epectec.com/epec-pcb-engineering-support-around-the-clock-commitment) Written by [Angie Brown](https://blog.epectec.com/author/angie-brown) Posted on June 21, 2016 at 10:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Epec’s printed circuit board (PCB) engineering team is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have 6 full-time PCB CAM Engineers in the United States, along with 2 more full-time at our Shenzhen, China office. Our U.S. CAM Engineers work on 2 separate shifts, so we really do have assistance available 24/7 for all your [PCB design and manufacturing](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/manufacturing-capabilities.html) needs. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/epec-pcb-engineering-support-around-the-clock-commitment) --- ## [High Tech PCB Manufacturers: Advantages of a Mid-Sized Operation](https://blog.epectec.com/high-tech-pcb-manufacturers-advantages-of-a-mid-sized-operation) [![PCB CNC Drilling Equipment](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/pcb-cnc-drilling-equipment.jpg "PCB CNC Drilling Equipment")](https://blog.epectec.com/high-tech-pcb-manufacturers-advantages-of-a-mid-sized-operation) Written by [Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/author/ed-mcmahon) Posted on May 10, 2016 at 10:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Back when laser drilling equipment was north of $1M, or when plasma etch equipment was so dangerous that it needed to be housed in a special room, only the largest companies could afford to purchase the equipment required to manufacture the [highest technology printed circuit boards](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/) (PCBs). The only way to maintain good yields was to staff a squad of highly experienced engineers who understood the nuances of that specific facility equipment. Today, times and technology have changed dramatically to the point where this is no longer the case, allowing for more efficient mid-sized high tech [PCB manufacturers](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/manufacturing-capabilities.html) to exist. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/high-tech-pcb-manufacturers-advantages-of-a-mid-sized-operation) --- ## [PCB Design For Manufacturability Analysis: Beyond DRC](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-for-manufacturability-analysis-beyond-drc) [![DFM Analysis of Drawing Stackup](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/circuit-board-dfm-analysis-of-drawing-stackup.jpg "DFM Analysis of Drawing Stackup")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-for-manufacturability-analysis-beyond-drc) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on May 4, 2016 at 2:46 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Your [PCB design](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/layout-and-design.html) for manufacturing is critical to the success of your final application. Design features which make your board difficult to build add cost to your product, either by slowing down the production process, or by increasing the scrap rate. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-design-for-manufacturability-analysis-beyond-drc) --- ## [Managing Quality with Asian PCB Manufacturers](https://blog.epectec.com/managing-quality-with-asian-pcb-manufacturers) [![Managing Quality with Asian PCB Manufactures](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/managing-quality-with-asian-pcb-manufactures.jpg "Managing Quality with Asian PCB Manufactures")](https://blog.epectec.com/managing-quality-with-asian-pcb-manufacturers) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on January 28, 2016 at 1:30 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) There was a time when “Made in China” was synonymous with cheaper, poor quality products. "Buyer beware" was the common theme associated with outsourcing to any Asian [PCB manufacturers](http://www.epectec.com/pcb/manufacturing-capabilities.html). So how did Epec approach this challenge and succeed? It was by [managing quality through intense auditing, training, and qualification](http://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-philosophy.html). Epec understood at a very early stage that first-class quality products from Asian manufacturers would require consistent presence, training, and auditing. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/managing-quality-with-asian-pcb-manufacturers) --- ## [PCB Cleanliness Attention to Details](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-cleanliness-attention-to-details) [![Cleaner finishes such as ENIG, are beneficial in attaining a cleaner PCB](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/attaining-a-cleaner-pcb.jpg "Cleaner finishes such as ENIG, are beneficial in attaining a cleaner PCB")](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-cleanliness-attention-to-details) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on October 13, 2015 at 3:13 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Cleanliness of bare circuit boards increases in importance with [advances in PCB technology](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) that continue to decrease conductor spacing. Inorganic contamination within printed circuit board fabrication can lead to electrochemical migration. Electrochemical migration is the dissolution and movement of metal ions in presence of electric potential, which results in the growth of dendritic structures between anode and cathode. These dendritic growths, which were minimal over periods of time, were not a concern of "yesterdays" bare boards. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/pcb-cleanliness-attention-to-details) --- ## [6-8 Layer PCB Online Quoting Made Easy](https://blog.epectec.com/6-8-layer-pcb-online-quoting-made-easy) [![Printed Circuit Boards](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/printed-circuit-boards.jpg "Printed Circuit Boards")](https://blog.epectec.com/6-8-layer-pcb-online-quoting-made-easy) Written by [Ed McMahon](https://blog.epectec.com/author/ed-mcmahon) Posted on September 16, 2015 at 2:08 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Online quoting tools that offer customers the ability to create their own printed circuit board quotes and place orders online has become quite common in the PCB industry today.[InstantPCBQuote](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) from Epec aims to do more than the competitors. Most quoting tools are designed for lower technology parts which don't need much more than the outside dimensions of the board to provide a fast quote. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/6-8-layer-pcb-online-quoting-made-easy) --- ## [Controlling PCB Costs: Part 2](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-2) [![Good-Yielding Sub-Panels for 18X24 Sheet Stock](https://www.epectec.com/images/pcb-18x24-panel-explained.jpg "Good-Yielding Sub-Panels for 18X24 Sheet Stock")](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-2) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on June 19, 2015 at 2:30 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## PCB Laminate Utilization - Part and Panel Size: In our [first post on controlling PCB costs](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1), we detailed many of the common cost drivers people face and ways to avoid them. For part 2 of controlling costs, we are focusing on one example that can cost a lot of dollars: PCB laminate costs and utilization Printed circuit boards are run through the fabrication process in sheet form, typically with rows and columns of identical circuit boards or sub-panels on a single sheet, which are later cut out for shipment. One of the biggest potential cost adders in [PCB manufacturing](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/manufacturing-capabilities.html) is that of a poor-yielding PCB or sub-panel. While this is true for even the least complex PCBs, it is especially true for multilayers. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-2) --- ## [Controlling PCB Costs: Part 1](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1) [![Typical cross-section for a 12-layer PCB with a total of 4 drill cycles and 2 laminations](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/cross-section-for-12-layer-pcb.jpg "Typical cross-section for a 12-layer PCB with a total of 4 drill cycles and 2 laminations")](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on May 29, 2015 at 1:20 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Avoiding Expensive PCB Materials & Processes [Printed circuit boards](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) are only one component of an entire assembly designed to meet the best cost-to-performance ratio possible. The finished product into which the PCB is installed must meet a price point that compares favorably against competing products, so the lower the expenses, the more money your product returns. In order to make the best choices during the design cycle, it is important to first understand what drives the primary costs. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1) --- ## [Engineering From A Woman's Perspective](https://blog.epectec.com/engineering-from-a-womans-perspective) [![Angie Brown Reviewing Printed Circuit Board Data Files](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog/engineering-woman-prospective.jpg "Angie Brown Reviewing Printed Circuit Board Data Files")](https://blog.epectec.com/engineering-from-a-womans-perspective) Written by [Sherry Clowers](https://blog.epectec.com/author/sherry-clowers) Posted on April 7, 2015 at 1:18 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Engineering in most industries, still tends to be primarily dominated by males. When I first entered the field of [Printed Circuit Board](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) (PCB) engineering, it was a bit intimidating. This was because the men always outnumbered the women. I felt we were graded on separate standards "Men vs Women". [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/engineering-from-a-womans-perspective) --- ## [Matte Finish vs Gloss Finish In PCB Solder Mask Design](https://blog.epectec.com/matte-finish-vs-gloss-finish-in-pcb-solder-mask-design) [![Gloss Finish & Matte Finish Solder Mask](https://www.epectec.com/images/pcb-soldermask-gloss-vs-matte.jpg "Gloss Finish & Matte Finish Solder Mask")](https://blog.epectec.com/matte-finish-vs-gloss-finish-in-pcb-solder-mask-design) Written by [Chris Perry](https://blog.epectec.com/author/chris-perry) Posted on March 27, 2015 at 9:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) When selecting [solder mask](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/soldermask-design-basics.html) for a [printed circuit board](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/), designers often focus on color, material, and process requirements while leaving the final surface appearance unspecified. In many cases, the PCB fabricator defaults to a gloss finish because it is the more commonly used option. However, the choice between a matte and gloss solder mask can influence more than appearance. [Read More](https://blog.epectec.com/matte-finish-vs-gloss-finish-in-pcb-solder-mask-design) [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards/page/14) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards/page/16) --- ### 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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