Few Common Printed Circuit Board Problems while PCB manufacturing Process

Printed Circuit Board is the one that let the electronics function properly. There are 90% chances that device might stop working in case of any malfunction occurs. Few manufacturers don’t take it seriously but PCB issues can create lot of troubles for you. If your single step is wrong then next all the steps will go wrong. Here we have made a list of all those common issues that a manufacturer can face. If you explore these issues then while PCB manufacturing process you can take care about these steps.

If you keep these issues in your mind then the final PCB results will be amazing. So continue to read this Article and bring 100% success while manufacturing.

List of Common Issues while PCB manufacturing Process

Burnt Board

The very first thing that you have to keep in your mind is a burnt board. As we all knows that while PCB manufacturing Process we expose the board to extreme high temperature. If you are a newbie or don’t have much expertise then there are 90% chances of your board burning. As we all knows that each component has a capability to bear a certain amount of heat, if the gap b/w each component is not big then board will be burnt easily. So we recommend you highly to give heat to the board very carefully in order to reduce the chances of burning board.

Poorly Produced Components

Another thing that can create issues while PCB manufacturing process is poorly produced components. Yes poor manufacturing is also a bigger issue for PCB. We recommend you highly to give your 100% focus while working on the components, if you did not succeed in giving 100% focus then there might be results of loose components, connection troubles, and residual flux or a bad solder.

As we all knows that if we accidently drop flux for soldering on the board then it can create lot of troubles for the component so make sure to do the soldering process very carefully and don’t let anything to drop on the board.

Bad Soldering

Well another common issue while PCB manufacturing process can be bad soldering. If you are a newbie and not really good in soldering then your output results will not be as you are expecting. Bad or cold soldering only occurs when designers don’t have much good skills to provide proper heat to soldering. Moisture can spoil the solder, so we recommend you highly to provide proper heat for soldering otherwise be ready to face connection issues or maybe you have to face component burning issues also.

Environmental Factor

Environmental factor is also main factor to consider while PCB manufacturing process. If you are exposing your printed circuit board to elements like dust, moist or cold then there might be possibility of many PCB issues. In case of temperature change PCB components can expand or contract.

Expanding or contracting of board can lead you damaging issues and soldering joints will also disturb. If your PCB has been exposed to too much moisture then let your PCB ready to face oxidation, corrosion and dust. If you are exposing it to the place where temperature is high then dust particles will made clog and will be the reason of overheating of board. So we recommend you highly to consider the right temperature for PCB manufacturing process. Right temperature will keep you safe from lot of troubles.

Age

Aging components is another big issue while PCB manufacturing process. The worst part about this factor is that they are beyond control. With each passing day PCB components gets older, with time this component will lose their originality and start break up. But here is a solution to this issue; you can replace that component for PCB board keeps working. If you succeed in finding that component and replace it then you don’t have to build up the whole board. Finding the older component and fixing it can keep your time, effort and cost safe.

Plating Voids

This issue is really important because it will keep the circuit safe from passing electrical current. As we all knows that while plating thru-hole in the printed circuit board, we normally drill the holes and punctuate the material on the PCB. Then we laminate a copper layer by electroplating process. Electroplating process in actual let you add a thin layer of copper known as deposition.

With the deposition we are able to produce voids in the plating. In actual these voids are gaps or spaces that prevent the current from passing through the whole. If you don’t succeed in adding a layer via deposition then is ready to face air bubbles, contamination and lot of trouble. So we recommend you highly to do deposition process very carefully if you really want your PCB safe from bubbles and contamination.

Insufficient Copper-to-Edge Clearance

As we all knows that copper has conductive properties so we took this metal for PCB manufacturing process. But with lot of advantages it comes up with few downsides also. Though it is one of the most commonly used element by PCB but still it offers some downside.

Copper is vulnerable to corrosion so there might be chances of common issues. But you can make use of it because other components are there to keep the copper safe by covering it up.

While PCB manufacturing process, it is necessary to trim the PCB, if there is enough clearance b/w copper and edge of PCB then there might be chances of trimmed coating and this can expose the copper. So in order to avoid this issue and keeping the copper safe from corrosion we recommend you highly to put extra attention while trimming the edges. Doing this will not expose the copper or you can also make use of less copper in the edges.

Silver

During PCB manufacturing process, solder marks called as silver can form or can create lot of troubles for PCB. There are two possible reason of occurring silver, first one is when thin copper etched away and the second one is when designer cuts the PCB design very deeply. So if you want a successful PCB manufacturing process then we recommend you highly to avoid the production of silver. If you succeed then the results will be beyond your expectations.

Chemical Leakage

Chemical Leakage is another factor that you should consider while PCB manufacturing process. As we all knows that PCB comes into being after the usage of lot of chemicals. Though in each step we wipe out the chemical of traces but if a single chemical trace left behind then PCB will exposed to lot of troubles.  Chemical exposing will not give any affect in the start but with each passing day PCB will have to face corrosion and short circuiting.

So if you want a successful ending at the end then we recommend you highly to wipe out the entire chemical very carefully.

Not Using a DFM

The full form of DFM is Design for Manufacturability. It is a process of inspection of board’s layout for removing issues.  DFM is the one that ensure while PCB is correctly functioning or not. If you are one of those who did not prefer using DFM then you have missed potential errors while PCB manufacturing process.

If you used it then you can fix the malfunction before assembly process. We recommend it highly to all designers out there to make use of DFM strongly if you want to end above with successful PCB results.

Conclusion

We have shared an amazing list of common issues that you can face while PCB manufacturing process. If you took great care about the above mentioned issues and don’t let them come into the PCB then we are damn sure the final results will be extra ordinary. If still you are confused or want to buy PCB from amazing PCB manufacturer then contact HUAFENG. We offer world’s best offer high-quality prototypes and fast-rotating printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Our service will be warranted with high quality durable PCBs. Do you want to know more about our products then call at (+86) 0755-83388898, you can also leave an email at melinda@hfdspcb.com. Our support team is always available to guide you with the best.