People need custom printed circuit boards (Pcbs) for a number of reasons; however, building them by themselves isn’t always an option. Since putting together one’s very own printed circuit board takes a lot of practice and patience, there are few people who choose to take on the project by themselves. For the most part, people in need of a custom pcb are going to select a reputable printed circuit board company and have them fabricate their model. The following are the top 4 things to know before having a custom pcb made by a team of professionals.

 

What Size of Pcb Is Needed

 

The size of the printed circuit board is going to be a very important factor to bring up with the pcb manufacturer that has been chosen. This is because not specifying the size needed can result in the printed circuit board being made too large. Depending on the type of electronic the printed circuit board was created for, the pcb itself might be too large to properly fit into the device.

 

How Many Layers Are Needed

 

There are some custom printed circuit boards that are easy to fabricate; however, there are many different types of pcbs available for production, all of which depend on the complexity of the model. In general, a printed circuit board can have anywhere from one to eight layers, all of which become more complicated depending on the number of layers needed. Printed circuit boards with eight layers are more commonly found in devices like iPhone or smart watches. While simpler models that only have between two to four layers are usually found in small toys or computers.

 

How the Components Are Going to be Placed

 

When a person contacts a pcb manufacturer asking to have a custom printed circuit board built, they are often going to be asked if they prefer Surface Mount Technology (SMT) or Through-Hole Technology. While both these methods are going to work just fine, it is usually up to the client to choose which model works best for their project. SMT is the most common form used and is simplified due to a machine placing the components. The Through-hole option, however, is perfected by drilling lead into holes and placing components through them.

 

Any Additional Information Needs to be Provided

 In order to have the most efficient printed circuit board possible, it is always a good idea to relay as much information as possible to the pcb manufacturer. Doing so can allow for the company to follow specific orders or keep professional services in mind for their clientele. Additional information can be anything from the gerber file used to the thickness of the device.