Why Lead-free RoHS Circuit Board Assemblies?

August 14, 2017

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive 2002/95/EC began as a European movement to decrease the deposition into the environment of known carcinogens and to enhance the recyclability of mixed-material waste. The goal was to create a new generation of electrical products that are free of substances hazardous to health and the environment. Initially all

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“Boilerplate”

“Boilerplate”

May 24, 2017

Boilerplate is a good thing to have on the side of a steam locomotive but questionable in the engineering notes for a printed circuit board. There are many options available to which most of us never give a second thought.  The Gerber files contain the traces and outline but rarely the tolerances.  Some common specifications

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The Importance of PCB Finishes

March 29, 2016

The surface finish of your printed circuit board might not be the first design aspect that you address in a new layout but it should be among the top contenders. Where do you usually begin a PCB design?  Mechanical design aspects would lead one to select rigid, flex, or bend-flex.  Operating temperature would dictate if

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COLOR for PCB Control

COLOR for PCB Control

March 11, 2015

Color for PCB Process Control Some colors are so standardized that changing them serves no purpose and could indeed be contra productive or even dangerous.   Change the stop/caution/go lights from red/amber/green to blue/pink /yellow and you will have mass confusion and injury.  If invited to a black tie event you would know what to

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