Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

Printed circuit board (PCB) laminates play a crucial role in the performance and reliability of electronic devices. Among the popular choices in the industry are Rogers and Taconic laminates.

In the world of printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, the devil is in the details. Even subtle design features like plated edges, castellated holes, and advanced milling techniques have far-reaching implications in terms of cost and production time.

Wrap plating is a technique used in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) to create a conductive layer that connects the layers of the PCB together. The process involves plating copper onto the walls of through-holes and vias in the PCB, which are then used to make electrical connections between the layers.

As I think about the processing of multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs), I find it interesting that in the early 1980s, I wouldn’t have dreamed of where we are today in terms of technology. I mean, think about it. Where we are in comparison to then is simply phenomenal.

You may be asking: what is an HDI printed circuit board and what makes it different than standard PCBs? Let’s break it down for better understanding from a design and from a supplier point of view. As Epec continues to grow our design business, it has become very apparent that many designers are very good at what they do and have no manufacturing knowledge to proof designs against.

More often than not, a quote will be requested without enough information to price, never mind to manufacture. In 1957, IPC was founded as the Institute for Printed Circuits by Richard Zens (Printed Electronics Corp/Epec), Al Hughes (Electralab), Robert Swiggett (Photocircuits), William McGinley (Methode), and Carl Clayton (Tingstol).

Etch compensation adjusts copper trace widths in printed circuit board (PCB) design data to offset material loss during the etching process. Without it, manufactured traces can fall outside tolerance, impacting reliability and performance. Proper use balances dimensional accuracy with spacing constraints, especially in high-density or heavy copper designs.

In printed circuit board (PCB) designs, through holes are used to connect components and conductors on different layers of the board and can be divided into two types: plated and non-plated through holes.

I am still amazed at how far technology has brought us throughout the years. When asked about printed circuit boards (PCBs) and what they go into, the answer is everything you can imagine, everything you use in most cases.

At the conclusion of our webinar, PCB Manufacturing Facilities: Certifications, Compliance, and Security - 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.