I'm looking to maximize the desirability of PCBs ordered for group buys and have a few questions about ordering options. Things like colour, copper weight, board material etc...
Please take a moment to vote in the poll, or optionally add comments related to ensuring the highest desirability of the ordered product.
Please take a moment to vote in the poll, or optionally add comments related to ensuring the highest desirability of the ordered product.
OK, so the poll is about colour but let me pose another question...
Which is more desireable, a $10 board in 1oz copper or a $12 in 2oz copper? Are folks willing to pay a little premium for the added copper since it costs more up front?
Which is more desireable, a $10 board in 1oz copper or a $12 in 2oz copper? Are folks willing to pay a little premium for the added copper since it costs more up front?
Does 2 oz copper resist track stripping better ( due to multiple soldering operations) ? 1.6 mm board seems to be a good thickness. FR4 types don't generally flex or twist easily. Green boards look fine !😉
Jason, I suspect there are valid reasons why the overwhelming majority of PWB's in consumer and commercial products are 1.6 mm (0.062") FR4, with nominal 1 oz copper - and "cost" appears toward the middle or end of that list.
Regarding copper weight, both electrical and soldering (trace delamination) performance depends a little on whether it's a "true" 2 oz (or whatever is spec'd) versus "plated up to" that weight. For the great majority of PWB's a heavier copper weight has no disadvantage, but it doesn't justify paying a premium price.
Dale
I hear what you are saying. Really what I'm after is a survey of sorts to help decide what folks look for in a project PCB. If there is a landslide preference for a specific colour, copper weight, board substrate etc. then that is how I would consider ordering PCBs to maximize mass appeal. There may not be any technical advantage to certain choices, but if a DIY'er is waffling between two similar projects I'm curious as to what will tip the balance.
1oz (35um) on a plated through board will end up at 52um, 2oz (70um) will end up at about 87um.
If you don't have the current requirements then you don't need 2oz, plus depending on the design, the size of features may be restricted for 2oz due to etch back compensation etc.
Green is the most widely used solder resist colour, this is from the days of manual visual inspection, we are better at detecting detail with green solder mask and it is also easier on the eyes for manual working and inspection of PCB's.
1.6mm became the de facto because it was the thickness of the sheets used for wiring boards.
Does 2oz prevent track lifting more than 1oz, not really as you tend to have to apply more heat to get a good joints so its swings and roundabouts.
If you don't have the current requirements then you don't need 2oz, plus depending on the design, the size of features may be restricted for 2oz due to etch back compensation etc.
Green is the most widely used solder resist colour, this is from the days of manual visual inspection, we are better at detecting detail with green solder mask and it is also easier on the eyes for manual working and inspection of PCB's.
1.6mm became the de facto because it was the thickness of the sheets used for wiring boards.
Does 2oz prevent track lifting more than 1oz, not really as you tend to have to apply more heat to get a good joints so its swings and roundabouts.
All good points marce. I think in many cases the copper is plated up starting with 1oz as the native weight.
So far the results are interesting, makes the standard green look like the best bet based on the preference for green and the respondents who don't care. I recently did a batch in black and folks seemed to think they looked good too, fitting since that is the runner up to green.
So far the results are interesting, makes the standard green look like the best bet based on the preference for green and the respondents who don't care. I recently did a batch in black and folks seemed to think they looked good too, fitting since that is the runner up to green.
Hi Jason,
As you know, I prefer black but that is really for aesthetics. I'm a strong believer that the inside needs to look as good as the outside. For me, it's not because it's DIY that it needs to look like it. Actually, I think quite the opposite is true. It's also a great way to showcase your work by having a plexiglass top.
I may be the minority here but all opinions are welcome in DIY!
Thank you again. The black boards look amazing! :-D
Bertrand
As you know, I prefer black but that is really for aesthetics. I'm a strong believer that the inside needs to look as good as the outside. For me, it's not because it's DIY that it needs to look like it. Actually, I think quite the opposite is true. It's also a great way to showcase your work by having a plexiglass top.
I may be the minority here but all opinions are welcome in DIY!
Thank you again. The black boards look amazing! :-D
Bertrand
how about high frequency laminate materials like Arlon and Rogers?
are they appropriate for audio
are they appropriate for audio
Not necessary, harder to manufacture PCBs, cost more and will give no benefits. They are designed for high frequency designs, GHz designs. FR4 is good for up to a few gig, all manufacturers know how to handle it so can build boards using their standard processes.
We specify FR4 97% special laminate 3%.
We specify FR4 97% special laminate 3%.
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