Proto-Electronics
Rapid PCB prototyping specialist with X-ray inspection and online quoting (<10 min). 2,300+ customers, 25,000+ orders. Specializes in 1-50 item prototyping.
Processes: SMT Assembly, Soldering, Through-Hole Assembly, PCB Fabrication, Welding, Testing & Inspection
Based on 6 registered capabilities across 6 manufacturing processes
Manufacturing Capabilities(6)
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Location & Structure
Braga, Braga, Portugal
Industries Served(9)
Materials(10)
Certifications & Compliance(4)
Supply Chain Partners(0)
No known partnerships.
Contacts(1)
General Team
General Inquiries
contact@proto-electronics.com
Products(0)
No products catalogued yet.
Additional Metadata
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Get your quote 100% online in less than 10 minutes. Start a project Test the demo Your PCBA prototypes in 4 steps Set up your printed circuit board Import your list of components (BOM) Generate your quote online Complete your order Our assembly plants Proto-Electronics has two production facilities : one in Rosheim (France) and one in Braga (Portugal). Our team of qualified professionals is supported by high-quality equipment in which we are constantly investing: X-ray inspection systems, reflow ovens (vapour phase soldering), SMT Smartline, SMT BGA/QFN stations, automatic visual inspection system, etc. Inspection System… Your PCB specifications Customise your printed circuit board by selecting from a wide range of technical specifications: Double or multi layers, 9 mask colours, 11 base laminate materials, 8 surface finishes, impedance control, gold fingers, Metallographic section, Edge plating, … Electronic components shortage solution Our system instantly checks if your BOM components are available among 4 million existing references from our EMS considered suppliers (Mouser, DigiKey, Farnell, RS Components). If the reference is not available, our search tool will suggest a similar one. Why you should entrust us with your PCBA prototypes: FAST quote Login to the web platform, configure your PCB and choose the quantity, import your BOM. Get your quote 24/7 in only 10 minutes. EXPRESS deliveries Choose your lead time: from 5 to 20 business days. It includes PCB manufacturing (Gerber files needed), components reception, assembly, controls and shipment. Your PCBA prototypes ONLINE Thanks to over 25 000 orders, 2300 customers and a professional team of 32 people, Proto-Electronics is the European specialist in online PCBA prototyping. CONFIDENTIALITY Our teams are subject to strict confidentiality rules and our database is secured. A Confidentiality Agreement (NDA) can be signed if you so wish. QUALITY control Every stage of assembly is controlled by our production team: manual and automatic visual inspections, X-rays. Customer SERVICE Our team is available from Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 7 pm per phone, e-mail or Live chat. Create an account Proto-Electronics.com Blog Find out what’s new in the world of electronics: Stay updated about the next events and platform evolutions. Discover the blog ↗ About Us Online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? 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All your prototypes are assembled in a modern facility specifically tailored to PCBA prototypes. Regular investments are made in production and in recruitment to meet the very strong growth in our activity. All the operators work according to the IPC610 standard to which electronics subcontractors are subjected. Since June 2017, Proto-Electronics.com is ISO 9001:2015 quality certified . You too can create your PCBA prototype in just a few minutes . Access the platform Explore the interactive map and discover a small selection of components (non-exhaustive list) that we can mount on your prototypes (pass the pointer over the symbols ). Our technical capacities for the assembly of your PCBs The assembly of SMT and THT components requires accuracy and know-how: our teams are continuously trained in new techniques. Proto-Electronics is IPC610 standard compliant and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Capacities Assembly types THT (through hole) SMT (surface mount) Mixed assembly 2-sided assembly Press-Fit Quantity per order 1 to 50 PCBs Component types Passive components up to 0201 BGA (until pitch 0.35mm), QFN, POP, uBGA and conductorless chips Connectors Components' Packaging Reel Cut Tape Board dimensions and shape Smallest size: 10 x 10 mm Largest size: 400 x 400 mm Round, rectangular, complex or irregular shape With holes and cut-outs Material Rigid FR4 / SMI/ etc. Flexi-rigid boards (on request after study) Assembly proceeding Lead or lead-free (RoHS) process Required files Gerber RS-274X BOM (List of Materials) Pick-N-Place / XY file PDF format layout drawing Quality control X-Ray inspections for BGA and QFN AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) Visual inspection at each assembly step Impedance testing (on request) Metallographic section (on request) Production report Order lead time Delivery from 5 business days (for a 2 layer PCBA) Soldering SMT Steam phase furnace soldering THT manual soldering Infrared soldering station on sensitive components Certification ISO9001:2015 Files format Gerber 274X, ODB++ How it works About Us Online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. 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Management & Sales Team Damien Rossignon, CEO Christophe Tourbez, Sales Director Angélique Casassas, Communication & Marketing Manager Marc Ludwig, Customer Service Manager & Technical Referent Debora Greco, Country Representative Italy Alejandra Fernandez, Country Representative Spain Sylvain Wagner, Country Representative Germany Caterina D'Ingeo, Purchasing Manager & CS Italy Stella Strubel, Customer Service & Sales Assistant France Yordi Caballero Arias, Customer Service & Sales Assistant Spain Saïd Kerbou, Customer Service & Sales Assistant France About Us Online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? 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Since its creation in 2014, Proto-Electronics keeps working to continuously improve its services and offering you a quality that meets your highest expectations. Our commitments: Quality PCBA prototype manufacturing in short delays We reduce your time-to-market using innovating tools combined with genuine quality commitments. Speed and flexibility Has your design phase taken longer than expected? Is your first prototype just short of being functional so that you need to quickly develop another one to validate your concept? There’s no need to worry, we are used to processing urgent orders and are here to support you. Throughout your PCB production and assembly phase, we are here to listen and fit your needs: our top priority is to deliver your PCBA prototype on time and in full compliance with our quality and service criterias. Innovation We always take into account your views to continuously improve our online electronics subcontracting service . Give us your feedback on our web site, our lead times, our customer support, etc. Your comments help us to improve our services and our solution. Since our platform's creation, we have worked on many criterias: additional delivery lead times, new live chat, interface speed, improvement of our offer, the calculation and component search algorithms, new production plant, machinery investments, our teams' training, new version of the platform, etc. All these optimizations are mainly thanks to you ! Confidentiality When you use our services to produce your PCBA prototype, you give us an important and sensitive part of your project. We are fully aware that confidentiality is an essential commitment for you. This is why all our teams are subject to very strict confidentiality rules and the database is secured to guarantee that your R&D projects remain perfectly discrete. If you require an additional non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to be signed, feel free to request one. Proto-Electronics.com vision: accelerate the prototyping phase Every time a new product is developed, there is necessarily a prototyping phase before starting mass production by an electronics manufacturing subcontractor (or EMS). This prototype is used to validate the product concept and features. Often the sales launch date has been set a long time in advance and it arrives quicker than expected. But the R&D part is barely finished and all the prototyping and testing is still to come… it’s a case of panic on board! Proto-Electronics’ mission is to help you in this crucial prototyping phase by cutting your lead times. Online quotes in 10 minutes and delivery lead times starting from 5 working days will give you more peace of mind to work. Don’t wait several weeks to get a quote and a delivery date from your electronics subcontractor! Our commitment: a time-to-market on average three times shorter for the PCBA prototyping phase along with faultless service and quality. Choose to be happy when you order your PCBA prototypes! Create your free account We are continuously looking for new talents! In constant growth, Proto-Electronics is looking for new talents in many sectors. Apply for a job About Us Online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? 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Read More 2019-07-08 SMD soldering paste: which technology should be used to apply it? Read More 2019-06-27 How to manage electronics obsolescence? Read More 2019-05-28 How a distributor can streamline development of the smart, connected and secure industrial products of tomorrow Read More 2019-05-13 LEDs promise dramatic cost savings and important operational benefits in new generation of sports field lighting equipment Read More 2019-04-04 Our Top 10 printed circuit design software programmes Read More 2019-03-11 How to choose your PCB finish? Read More 2019-01-29 Silkscreen printing PCB: trends for SMD Read More « Older Posts About Us 1st online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Contact us Legal disclaimers - Terms and Conditions of Sale - Privacy Policy - Contact Your privacy is our priority We use cookies to personalize content, provide social media features, and to analyze traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject Read More Privacy & Cookies Policy Necessary Always Enabled Non-necessary Non-necessary", "headings": [], "metaDescription": "All news about Proto-Electronics PCBA manufacturer" }, "timestamp": "20190824094612", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20190824094612id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/about-us/", "bytes": 45436, "digest": "AWCSW6KGTIK7ZCNZCYIDZFYSAV52R7TV", "length": 11527, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "PCB Assembly (PCBA) Manufacturer – Proto-Electronics", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Français Deutsch Italian About us The society Know-how The team How it works The platform Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Rapid and flexible manufacturer for PCB assembly prototype. 1st European platform specialised in PCB prototype production (from 1 to 50 items) offering very short lead times and unrivalled quality. We are passionate about manufacturing your high quality electronic prototypes. At Proto-Electronics.com, our objective is to save you time and give you more efficiency in your R&D cycle PCBA prototyping phase. Since our creation in 2014, we have always worked to continuously improve our services and provide precision Swiss watch style quality. Our commitment: high end electronics prototype fabrication in no time We reduce your time-to-market using innovating tools combined with genuine quality commitments. Speed and flexibility Has your design phase taken longer than expected? Is your first prototype just short of being functional so that you need to quickly develop another one to validate your concept? There’s no need to worry, we are used to processing urgent orders and are here to support you. Throughout your PCB production and assembly phase, we are here to listen and adapt to your needs: our top priority is to deliver your fully equipped PCBA prototype on time and in full compliance with our quality and service criteria. Innovation We always take your feedback into consideration to continuously improve our online electronics subcontracting service. Give us your feedback on our web site, our lead times, our customer support, etc. Your comments help us to improve our services and our solution. Since we went online, we have worked on many criteria: additional delivery lead times, a live chat, our interface speed, the improvement of our offer, the calculation and component search algorithm, new production workshop machinery investments, training for our teams, a new version of the platform, etc. All these optimisations are mainly thanks to you! Confidentiality When you use our services to produce your PCBA prototype, you give us an important and sensitive part of your project. We are fully aware that confidentiality is an essential commitment for you. This is why all our teams are subject to very strict confidentiality rules and the database is secured to guarantee that your R&D projects remain perfectly discrete. If you require an additional non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to be signed, feel free to request one. Register To be amongst the first to check out our innovations, follow us on Linkedin ! The Proto-Electronics.com vision: accelerate the prototyping phase Every time a new product is developed, there is necessarily a prototyping phase before starting mass production by an electronics manufacturing subcontractor (or EMS). This prototype is used to validate the product concept and features. Often the sales launch date has been set a long time in advance and it arrives quicker than expected. But the R&D part is barely finished and all the prototyping and testing is still to come… it’s a case of panic on board! Proto-Electronics’ mission is to help you in this crucial prototyping phase by cutting your lead times. Online quotes in 10 minutes and delivery lead times starting from 5 working days will give you more peace of mind to work. Don’t wait several weeks to get a quote and a delivery date from your electronics subcontractor! Our commitment: a time-to-market on average three times shorter for the PCBA prototyping phase along with faultless service and quality. Choose to be happy when you order your PCBA prototypes! Create your free account Go digital and change the world To reduce the time you need to create your PCBA prototypes, Proto-Electronics has redesigned the electronic prototyping activity and digitised its processes. Digitising. Usually, this term is only partially understood even though it is the future of our economy. Digitising an activity is far from simple and requires efforts from businesses and their teams to adapt. At Proto-Electronics.com, we make a point of putting the customer at the centre of all our support and care. Our action plan for success: to continuously innovate on our platform operation, our customer service and our product quality. Meet the team: more than 20 years experience in electronics manufacturing Our team of passionate and dedicated people will allow you to develop your ideas faster and further! Check out our team We are always looking for new talent Proto-Electronics.com’s continuing growth means it is always looking for new talent in several areas: digital development, business development, View the ProtoJobs About Us 1st online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Contact us Legal disclaimers - Terms and Conditions of Sale - Privacy Policy - Contact Your privacy is our priority We use cookies to personalize content, provide social media features, and to analyze traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject Read More Privacy & Cookies Policy Necessary Always Enabled Non-necessary Non-necessary", "headings": [ "Rapid and flexible manufacturer for PCB assembly prototype.", "We are passionate about manufacturing your high quality electronic prototypes.", "Our commitment: high end electronics prototype fabrication in no time", "Speed and flexibility", "Innovation", "Confidentiality", "The Proto-Electronics.com vision: accelerate the prototyping phase", "Go digital and change the world", "Meet the team: more than 20 years experience in electronics manufacturing", "We are always looking for new talent" ], "metaDescription": "PCB assembly prototype manufacturer since 2014. 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Damien Rossignon Founder & CEO The founder of Proto-Electronics, Damien focusses on the company’s innovation strategy and future growth. If you call the hotline he might take the call. He likes to keep in touch with customers to better understand their needs and improve our service offer. Angélique Casassas Customer Officer & Sales Support France Always happy and with a keen sense of customer service, Angélique is available for you on the phone, on Skype, email and live chat every day of the week. She will help you with your quotes and will be your main contact to communicate with our production facility before, during and after the production of the PCB prototype. Stella Strubel Customer Officer & Sales Support France Stella supports you for all your PCBA prototyping projects. She provides advice throughout the process and works closely with the technical teams to guarantee that production runs smoothly. She is lively, loves challenges and works hard for her customers. If a proverb were to be used to describe her it would be “Possible is only impossible for those who don’t dare”. Debora Greco Customer Officer & Sales Support Italy “The Italian Touch”. Creative and a sportswoman, Debora Greco likes a challenge and aims to find solutions for her customers. She lives life to the full and makes sure she has the means to reach her targets. Give her your projects and she will make sure they are a success! Christophe Tourbez Business Developer A genuine opportunity globetrotter, Christophe is always there when you need him. His dedication and patience will take you on a journey to discover all the power of Proto-Electronics.com. He takes care of his customers and does all he can to make sure they are always satisfied. Olivier Piotrowski Web Project Manager Olivier coordinates Proto-Electronics.com solution development operations. With his excellent soft skills and technical knowledge, he wants to perfectly master the tools to make our digital solutions a success. We are always looking for new talent Proto-Electronics.com’s continuing growth means it is always looking for new talent in several areas: digital development, business development, View the ProtoJobs About Us 1st online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Contact us Legal disclaimers - Terms and Conditions of Sale - Privacy Policy - Contact Your privacy is our priority We use cookies to personalize content, provide social media features, and to analyze traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject Read More Privacy & Cookies Policy Necessary Always Enabled Non-necessary Non-necessary", "headings": [ "The team", "Damien Rossignon", "Angélique Casassas", "Stella Strubel", "Debora Greco", "Christophe Tourbez", "Olivier Piotrowski", "We are always looking for new talent" ], "metaDescription": "Découvrez l'équipe ProtoElectronique qui fait la valeur de notre happy startup !" }, "timestamp": "20190824085407", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085407id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/about-us/the-team/" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/a-new-offer-from-proto-electronics-com-even-lower-prices-and-new-advantages/", "bytes": 38890, "digest": "YI5PUZI3TSLF7NKSGVOAP2MRY4F3UTU6", "length": 10773, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "A new offer from Proto-Electronics.com: even lower prices and new advantages! - Proto-Electronics.com", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012", "+33 3 88 48 04 07" ], "bodyText": "Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Français Deutsch Italian About us The society Know-how The team How it works The platform Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account A new offer from Proto-Electronics.com: even lower prices and new advantages! For your PCB prototype projects, Proto-Electronics.com is changing its offer and now has even more competitive pricing and reworked production lead times. In order to bolster its European n°1 ranking in online PCB prototype production, Proto-Electronics.com has renegotiated its agreements with its partners to offer an even better deal. Electronic component purchases at the best price The component search engine, which was already very effective in its initial version, has had the following features optimised: Stock level checks Optimum packaging selection Search for the best price by comparing the different suppliers Another significant benefit: the purchase terms from our different electronic component suppliers have been renegotiated for even better deals. Increased productivity In order to further reduce costs, we have worked to improve productivity in our production plant while maintaining our quality and service requirements. Greater flexibility with new delivery lead times To bring even more flexibility to project creation, we have reworked our production lead times: A new lead time, called “super-eco” has been added Intermediate lead times have been re-adjusted. Production lead times are now the following: Urgent : Delivery within D+5* business days. Fast : Delivery within D+8 business days. Standard : Delivery within D+12 business days. Economic : Delivery within D+15 business days. Super-eco : Delivery within D+20 business days. *for a 2 layer PCB with wiring services. Test the new offer! If you are a prototyper on the platform, or if you don’t know it yet, this is an opportunity to come (back) and test the new offer on the platform by going to: www.proto-electronics.com . And if you costed a project in the past, now is the time to check the difference in prices and lead times. Feel free to give us your feedback. Awarding your prototyping projects to Proto-Electronics.com means choosing unique know-how, guaranteed confidentiality and specific customer support, but also exclusive preferential prices. An electronic prototype project? Create your free account in just a few clicks and test the Proto-Electronics.com solution. A technical or feasibility question? Feel free to contact our sales department by dialling +33 3 88 48 04 07, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm CET. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 0 Comments Leave a Reply Cancel Comment: Your Name: Email Address: Your URL: More recent stories 2017-07-02 Proto-Electronics.com moves into top gear, article published in Electroniques magazine Read More 2019-04-04 Our Top 10 printed circuit design software programmes Read More 2018-09-20 MLCC Shortage: How to overcome the crisis? Read More About Us 1st online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Contact us Legal disclaimers - Terms and Conditions of Sale - Privacy Policy - Contact Your privacy is our priority We use cookies to personalize content, provide social media features, and to analyze traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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Electronic component purchases at the best …" }, "timestamp": "20190824085209", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085209id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/a-new-offer-from-proto-electronics-com-even-lower-prices-and-new-advantages/" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/about-us/know-how/", "bytes": 142241, "digest": "TVLNJTKZQZHMPXIMYZOAD74DYYKJXP3R", "length": 21845, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Know-how - Proto-Electronics.com", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm Français Deutsch Italian About us The society Know-how The team How it works The platform Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Our electronic prototyping know-how The PCBA below was assembled by one of our operators in our Rosheim production facility in France and illustrates a major part of our technical know-how Explore our interactive electronic map and discover a few of the finishes and components that are the result of our know-how. 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Read More 2018-08-25 The choice of material for your PCB is an important factor Read More 2018-08-24 What’s new on PCBs at Proto-Electronics.com? Read More 2018-08-23 PCB quality: Inspection made to ensure high-end prototypes Read More 2018-08-01 What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times Read More 2018-07-17 Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB prototype Read More 2018-01-01 In 2018, Proto-Electronics.com is ramping up to give you the best! Read More 2017-12-30 Feedback on 2017: a very rich year for Proto-Electronics.com! Read More 2017-11-30 Report: CES 2018 + Proto-Electronics.com = The right trend! Read More « Older Posts Newer Posts » About Us 1st online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? 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Start your project now Use Proto-Electronics.com for your PCBA prototypes and benefit from our expertise and know-how Quotation in 10 min Delivery from 5 days High quality & time savings 4 steps to order your Assembled Printed Circuit Boards online Fill in PCB specifications Choose your material (FR4, IMS…), surface finish (HAL, ENIG…), number of layers (1 to 12), special opions (gold fingers…)… Create an account Select your components Select your components among more than 3 000 000 items: Surface Mounted Devices (BGA, QFN…) and Through Hole components. Start a new project Obtain online quotation Your quotation includes the PCB and component purchases as well as the assembly of your electronic boards. Start a new project Order and track project Your prototypes will be assembled in our French production plant and our delivery times are guaranteed. Access your account Discover our videos Allow yourself to be led through the different steps of your PCBA project thanks to our tutorial videos. Introduction video Tutorial videos Enter the world of Proto-Electronics.com Once you have created your account on Proto-Electronics.com, you just need to fill in your PCB specifications, then select your components among more than 3 million available part numbers and your quotation is ready! Finish by placing the order and receive your PCBAs from 5 working days. About us Latest news Keep informed about Proto-Electronics’ latest news 27 February 2017 Enova Strasbourg 2017 ENOVA Strasbourg 2017 – On 15th and 16th March 2017 in Strasbourg (FRANCE). We would be pleased to welcome you on our stand B2 at Parc des Expositons of Strasbourg in order to give you a live demonstration of our... Read more 3 January 2017 NEW: version 2 of our website now online!!! We are pleased to announce you Verison 2 of our Proto-Electronics.com website. 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Read more Payment 100% secured payment Confidentiality Your data is secured High quality Consistent high quality Expertise and support One-to-one support and assistance © ProtoElectronique 2016 - All rights reserved | Legal terms | Terms and Conditions of Sale", "headings": [ "Use Proto-Electronics.com for your PCBA prototypes and benefit from our expertise and know-how", "4 steps to order your Assembled Printed Circuit Boards online", "Enter the world of Proto-Electronics.com", "Latest news", "Enova Strasbourg 2017", "NEW: version 2 of our website now online!!!", "Midest 2016", "IBS 2016" ], "metaDescription": "Proto-Electronics.com is your prototype partner for all your PCB Assembly needs: quotation in 10 min, availability of components checked, express delivery times from 5 working days." }, "timestamp": "20170522181722", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20170522181722id_/http://www.proto-electronics.com:80/" }, { "url": "http://proto-electronics.com/", "bytes": 24451, "digest": "DG4BCSTKLZL3AKEJT4BQQB6JV7YXS6CX", "length": 5435, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Votre prototype de carte électronique en ligne", "emails": [], "phones": [], "bodyText": "Accueil | Societé | FAQ | Comment ça marche ? | Actualités | Blog | Contact Bonjour, Identifiez-vous Une question ? Nous contacter Linked In Youtube Blog Element 14 Commandez votre prototype de carte équipée Devis en 10 minutes Livraison à partir de 5 jours ouvrés Gains de temps et qualité assurés ! Commencez votre projet Réalisez VOTRE prototype de carte électronique en 4 étapes : Une fois inscrit sur ProtoElectronique.com, il vous suffit de renseigner vos caractéristiques de PCB (FR4, finition HAL, jusqu'à 12 couches...), puis de sélectionner vos composants (parmi plus de 3 000 000 références y compris BGA, QFN...) \u0003et votre devis est prêt. Passez ensuite commande et vos cartes électroniques vous seront livrées en délai express à partir de 5 jours ouvrés ! 1 Spécifiez votre circuit imprimé Choisissez votre matériau (FR4, SMI...), finition (HAL, or chimique...), nombre de couches (1 à 12), ... 2 Sélectionnez vos composants Choisissez parmi plus de 3 000 000 références de composants (CMS, BGA, QFN...) ! 3 Obtenez \u0003votre devis en ligne Votre devis comprend l'achat des PCB et des composants, ainsi que l'assemblage des cartes électroniques. 4 Commandez et suivez votre projet Vos prototypes seront assemblés dans notre atelier de fabrication française et le délai est garanti ! Votre devis en Choix parmi 3 000 000 références Vidéos explicatives Actualités récentes JUIL 25 Interview de L. GAUL à ENOVA Angers 2016 > Consulter l'article MAI 27 ENOVA Angers 2016 > Consulter l'article AVR 20 ProtoElectronique est devenu indépendant > Consulter l'article JAN 21 NOUVEAUTÉ : Encore plus de caractéristiques PCB... > Consulter l'article > Découvrir toutes nos actualités Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant Et laissez-vous guider Dans la réalisation de votre prototype ESpace personnel Mon compte aide & contact Accueil Societé FAQ Comment ça marche ? Actualités Contact Mentions légales Conditions de vente © 2014 - protoelectronique.com", "headings": [ "Commandez votre prototype de carte équipée", "Réalisez VOTRE prototype de carte électronique en 4 étapes :", "Spécifiez votre circuit imprimé", "Sélectionnez vos composants", "Obtenez \u0003votre devis en ligne", "Commandez et suivez votre projet", "Vidéos explicatives", "Actualités récentes", "Interview de L. 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Un concept innovant Fort de l'expérience du groupe Altrics, ProtoElectronique.com est le premier portail internet vous permettant de commander vos prototypes de cartes électroniques câblées en ligne. Ne passez plus des semaines à attendre un devis et une date de livraison de la part de votre sous-traitant de cartes électroniques ! \u0003En optant pour ProtoElectronique.com, vous bénéficiez d'un devis immédiat, d'une disponibilité de tous les composants nécessaires à votre projet et d'une livraison à partir de 5 jours ouvrés ! Un outil simple et efficace Pour commencer, il vous suffit de créer un compte. Démarrez ensuite un nouveau projet. Renseignez les spécificités de votre PCB ainsi que la nomenclature de vos composants, et votre devis est prêt ! Pour de plus amples informations sur les différentes étapes de création de votre projet sur notre site internet, référez-vous à l'onglet \" Comment ça marche \". Aujourd'hui, 95% de nos clients se disent satisfaits de nos services, alors n'hésitez plus et tentez l'expérience! Un partenaire de qualité ProtoElectronique.com s'engage doublement pour vous garantir des produits et un service de la plus haute qualité. Nos prototypes sont certifiés de fabrication française et assemblés par des techniciens spécialisés au sein d'un atelier moderne sujet à des investissements réguliers. Toutes nos équipes sont soumises à des règles de confidentialité très strictes pour assurer une parfaite discretion de vos projets de R&D. INSCRIVEZ-VOUS DÈS MAINTENANT ET LAISSEZ-VOUS GUIDER DANS LA RÉALISATION\u0003 DE VOtre PROTOTYPE de carte câblée ! Je crée mon compte Vidéos explicatives Pour vous accompagner dans la réalisation de vos prototypes, ProtoElectronique.com vous propose de regarder ses didacticiels vidéos pour vous familiariser avec notre outil. Découvrir toutes nos vidéos ESpace personnel Mon compte aide & contact Accueil Societé FAQ Comment ça marche ? Actualités Contact Mentions légales Conditions de vente © 2014 - protoelectronique.com", "headings": [ "Qui sommes-nous ?", "Un concept innovant", "Un outil simple et efficace", "Un partenaire de qualité", "Vidéos explicatives", "ESpace personnel", "aide & contact" ], "metaDescription": "Societé" }, "timestamp": "20150418011316", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20150418011316id_/http://www.proto-electronics.com:80/about-us.html" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/check-out-all-the-ways-you-can-configure-your-pcb?hs_amp=true", "bytes": 8140, "digest": "XQQI5RK6UKD3BFCCVZ7HBA6JXPWCCSHT", "length": 4558, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Discover the blog and the news of Proto-electronics Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB Written by Proto-Electronics | August 1, 2019 at 9:57 AM Using Proto-Electronics.com, order your PCBs online, with or without assembly . Discover the range of specifications to tailor your PCB configuration (material, number of layers, finish, marking, etc.). 28 PCB specifications available: Circuit dimensions Material Thickness Finish Number of layers CMS edges Finished external copper thickness Internal copper thickness Solder mask Mask colour Peelable mask Silkscreen (ink) Ink colour ROHS marking UL marking Date marking Space between tracks Minimum drill hole size Blind via Impedance control Edge plating Press-fit Carbon Via Fill Bevelled edge Contersunk holes Metallographic section Gold fingers An electronic prototype project? Create your free account in just a few clicks and test the Proto-Electronics.com solution. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! A technical or feasibility question? Feel free to contact our sales department by dialling +44 1202 006012 , from Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm CET. View full post", "headings": [ "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB", "28 PCB specifications available:", "An electronic prototype project?", "A technical or feasibility question?" ], "metaDescription": "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB" }, "timestamp": "20260225084807", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260225084807id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/check-out-all-the-ways-you-can-configure-your-pcb?hs_amp=true" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/check-out-all-the-ways-you-can-configure-your-pcb", "bytes": 44956, "digest": "VATBYBFQFUNLTK2QWLO3MVVOL2WH2RSW", "length": 12226, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB Using Proto-Electronics.com, order your PCBs online, with or without assembly . Discover the range of specifications to tailor your PCB configuration (material, number of layers, finish, marking, etc.). 28 PCB specifications available: Circuit dimensions Material Thickness Finish Number of layers CMS edges Finished external copper thickness Internal copper thickness Solder mask Mask colour Peelable mask Silkscreen (ink) Ink colour ROHS marking UL marking Date marking Space between tracks Minimum drill hole size Blind via Impedance control Edge plating Press-fit Carbon Via Fill Bevelled edge Contersunk holes Metallographic section Gold fingers An electronic prototype project? Create your free account in just a few clicks and test the Proto-Electronics.com solution. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! A technical or feasibility question? Feel free to contact our sales department by dialling +44 1202 006012 , from Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm CET. Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB", "28 PCB specifications available:", "An electronic prototype project?", "A technical or feasibility question?", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Check out all the ways you can configure your PCB" }, "timestamp": "20260225084806", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260225084806id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/check-out-all-the-ways-you-can-configure-your-pcb" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-and-where-use-vias-in-pcb-design", "bytes": 53543, "digest": "DLXOMSZXAS6NA4HOGTTUUP6V6IORTU4E", "length": 15011, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How and where use vias in PCB design", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account How and where use vias in PCB design The term via (or via hole) means an electrical connection between different layers of a printed circuit board. Via is basically a small hole made through the PCB laminates that crosses two or more adjacent layers. The hole is covered internally with copper (by galvanic process, riveting, or by inserting a small tube of conductive material), forming an electrical connection in the insulating material that separates the PCB layers. Based on the specific needs of the application, an electronic board may require vias that cross all the layers of the stackup, only one of the two outermost layers, or only two or more inner PCB layers. As we will see later in this article, there is also a particular category of vias, known as thermal vias, whose function is to dissipate the heat produced by the components rather than making an electrical connection between different PCB layers. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! It is also important to underline that vias should not be confused with PTH (Plated Through Hole) holes, which are normally used for the electrical connection of through-hole components on the PCB. The PTH holes, which have larger dimensions than the vias, can also be used to make a mechanical connection on the board of some components, such as connectors. Figure 1 shows a portion of PCB with surface mount components (SMD), in which the presence of a large number of vias is noted. Figure 1: via holes on a PCB Types of via Vias can be grouped into three main classes, based on their position within the stackup and on the number of layers they pass through: through hole via : these via pass through all the layers of the PCB, including the two outer sides of the printed circuit board. They generally have larger dimensions than the other types of vias, and are simpler to make as there is no need to stop the drilling process at the desired point buried via : in this case, the via lies entirely inside the printed circuit board and is therefore devoid of connections to the external layers. In the case of a multilayer board, the internal plating of a buried via must necessarily be completed before applying the two outermost layers to the board. Buried vias are also very useful for reducing the PCB aspect ratio, that is the ratio between the thickness of the PCB and the diameter of the via hole blind via : these vias start from one of the external sides of the PCB and cross one or more internal layers, without however joining with the opposite side of the PCB. From a manufacturing point of view, blind vias present some difficulties, as it is necessary to precisely determine when to stop the drilling process in order to obtain the desired degree of depth. Blind vias are very useful for increasing the number of connections between an internal and external layer, with a possible reduction in the number of traces and therefore in the final cost of the PCB. From the above it is evident that the presence of through hole vias can in theory also be detected with the naked eye, as they can be crossed by light, while for buried and blind vias this is not possible. The three via classes are shows in Figure 2. Figure 2: Types of vias The evolution of electronic components towards an ever greater integration density, with a consequent increase in the number of interconnection pins, has determined the adoption in the design of via holes applied directly on the BGA (Ball Grid Array) pads, also known as via-in-pad. For PCB manufacturers, via-in-pads are an advantage, as they reduce the PCB space required by traditional vias, resulting in boards with smaller size. Via-in-pads, however, can show issues during PCB fabrication. In particular, the soldering process can cause the hole to fill up, rendering it unusable. For this reason, it is generally advisable to minimize the number of via-in-pads. Microvias A class of vias apart is represented by microvia, which unlike the previous types are used exclusively on printed circuit boards with a high number of interconnections (HDI). It is common practice to assume that we can speak of microvia when the diameter of the hole is equal to or less than 150 µm. However, the IPC standard has revised the definition of microvia in 2013, defining it now as a hole with an aspect ratio (ratio between the diameter of the hole and its depth) equal to one. Furthermore, the depth of a microvia must never exceed the value of 0.25 mm. To obtain holes of such small dimensions, it is necessary to use laser micro-perforation, a process in continuous evolution potentially capable of creating microvia with a diameter even lower than 15 µm. Laser microperforation, which inevitably introduces additional costs, is normally performed before the layer lamination process. As shown in Figure 3, microvias have a typical cone shape, an aspect that greatly simplifies the internal wall plating process. Each single microvia can cross at most two adjacent layers. The widespread diffusion of mobile and portable devices, such as smartphones and wearables, have resulted in an evolution of microvia from single unit to more complex structures, composed of multiple microvia. In fact, if the PCB design requires vias that cross several layers, microvias can be overlapped in the stacked configuration. An alternative configuration to the previous one is the staggered one, in which the microvias practiced on adjacent layers are offset from each other. Figure 3: structure and types of microvia Compared to normal via holes, microvias have the advantage of reducing the PCB size in boards with a high number of connections. In addition, microvias are particularly useful in some applications, such as BGA breakout with 0.65 µm pitch. In audio circuits, microvias reduce crosstalk phenomena and, in high-speed and high-frequency applications, provide better protection from electromagnetic interference. The radiant effect, determined by the particular geometric structure of the via, which can behave like a real antenna, is ultimately much lower in microvias than in traditional vias. However, microvias are not free from issues or defects that can compromise the reliability of the electronic board. The main problem is related to the onset of ICD (acronym for InterConnect Defects) near the internal plating of the holes, which can cause open circuits and other intermittent problems when operating at high temperatures. Thermal vias Active components, such as power electronic devices (including MOSFETs, diodes and power modules), high-performance microprocessors and high-frequency components, develop a considerable amount of heat that can be better dissipated through the adoption of thermal vias. Most of the printed circuit boards are based on FR-4, a relatively inexpensive material that however has a high thermal resistance. As a result, heat builds up near the bottom of the component, resulting in a high temperature rise and the potential formation of hot-spots. Thermal vias, placed in direct contact with the active components, favor a better heat transfer, allowing the component to operate at lower operating temperatures, as close as possible to ambient temperature. To be effective, thermal vias must be placed as close as possible (preferably below) to the component that generates heat. Since each thermal path has a higher thermal conductivity than the FR-4 substrate, placing more thermal paths reduces the thermal resistance of the structure and is able to transfer more heat. Thermal vias also have some inductance, so it is preferable to place more vias in parallel, connecting them to the ground plane to provide a return path with lower inductance. As for the physical structure, thermal vias are generally of the through-hole type, internally coated with conductive epoxy resin and subjected to subsequent plating. The thermal path therefore behaves like a tube capable of transferring heat from a component placed on one of the surface layers towards the innermost layers. The thermal channels are also covered with a solder mask on the back side of the board to prevent the solder from going through the holes. The determination of the number, size and positioning of thermal vias is today facilitated by the availability of software tools capable of performing a thermal analysis of the circuit in the various operating conditions and with different values of the ambient temperature. 18/11/2021 Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "How and where use vias in PCB design", "Types of via", "Microvias", "Thermal vias", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Vias can be grouped into three main classes, based on their position within the stackup and on the number of layers they pass through." }, "timestamp": "20260221061904", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260221061904id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-and-where-use-vias-in-pcb-design" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-design-your-bom-and-import-it-properly", "bytes": 47082, "digest": "B4H7DVXSP6PDUKNQ7Q7JC2XYKXMWP44C", "length": 11555, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How to design your BOM and import it properly?", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account How to design your BOM and import it properly? After your PCB configuration step, if your assembled PCB project includes electronic components, you will be able to import a BOM (list of electronic components) in step n °3. Designing a BOM will save you precious time when placing your order. This step consists in checking the availability of the components directly from each of our suppliers and obtaining pricing for each electronic component automatically and instantly. For the import to be successful, your BOM must meet the following criteria: The first row of your BOM must contain the following columns: The designator : matching the designator for each component. Quantity : this is the quantity of components for one PCB. SKU : this is the stock-keeping reference from the indicated supplier. Supplier : the requested supplier. Only the following are accepted: RS / FA / DK / MO. This column is only used if you entered an SKU (see the “Supplier coding” list below for more details). Reference : this is the manufacturer reference (valid for all suppliers). Description : the component description. Manufacturer : the manufacturer’s name. The eight above columns must be present and contain the terms listed above. The order isn’t important. The list of components must begin on the 2nd row of your BOM. The BOM must at least contain the following data (starting on row 2): Quantity Reference And/or: SKU + Supplier Designator The designators must be separated using commas and/or spaces. Please note that the algorithm doesn’t check for duplicates in the designators. The quantity must match the number of designators. It is mandatory for the SKU to be accompanied by the supplier: RS / FA / DK / MO (see below for more details). Spaces are not allowed in the SKU and the reference. Your BOM must be in Excel format (.xls or .xlsx extension). If one of the above criteria is not met, errors can occur when importing. Supplier coding The suppliers we work with are RadioSpare, Farnell, Digikey and MouseR . It is mandatory for the SKU to come from one of those suppliers. Thus, if you enter an SKU, indicate the matching supplier using the following codes in the “Supplier” column: RS for RadioSpare. FA for Farnell. DK for DigiKey. MO for MouseR. Download our BOM template To make it easier to import your component BOM, you can download and use our template. Download the BOM template You will need Excel or an OpenOffice or Numbers (Mac) type software to be able to use it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer support from Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 7 pm CET using live chat, e-mail or call +44 1202 006012. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "How to design your BOM and import it properly?", "Supplier coding", "Download our BOM template", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "How to design your BOM and import it properly?" }, "timestamp": "20260119210941", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260119210941id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-design-your-bom-and-import-it-properly" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-choose-your-pcb-dielectric-material", "bytes": 60116, "digest": "KYDDUDSQ3ZQNQ2AWOX5DC2RPNDJIVNJP", "length": 15596, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How to choose your PCB Dielectric Material", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account How to choose your PCB Dielectric Material Dielectric materials are the basis of every printed circuit board, forming the non-conductive substrate inserted between the conductive layers of the PCB, as shown in Figure 1. Dielectric materials shall be poor conductors of electricity and provide an insulating layer between the conductive layers. As we will see in more detail in the article, one of the most widely used dielectric materials is FR-4, but there are other types of material that the designer must know and select based on the characteristics of the specific application. The selection of the dielectric material shall be carried out based essentially on the electrical, thermal and chemical properties of the material itself. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Figure 1: Basic structure of a PCB Electrical Properties There are two main electrical properties that shall be considered when selecting a dielectric material, namely the dielectric constant and the dissipation factor. Dielectric constant This parameter, represented by the symbol Dk, is also indicated by the term relative permittivity (Ɛr). The dielectric constant is a measure of the degree of electrical insulation provided by the material and is a fundamental factor for ensuring signal integrity and impedance control. Typical dielectric constant values found in dielectric materials commonly used in PCBs are between 3.5 and 5.5, but this value is strictly dependent on the signal frequency and decreases as it increases. When designing a PCB, it is preferable to select materials with a low Dk value, which can therefore function as an insulator for the copper traces and for the power supply planes. Furthermore, the selected material should be able to keep the value of Dk as constant as possible, both as the operating frequency of the signal varies, and for the entire duration foreseen for the circuit. To ensure reliable and stable operation of the circuit over time, a dielectric constant that remains stable over a wide range of frequencies is recommended. Figure 2 shows the trend of Dk as the frequency varies in a dielectric material expressly designed for high frequencies. Figure 2: Dk-frequency curves for some RO4000 series materials (Source: Rogers Corporation) Dissipation factor Represented with the symbol Df and also indicated as loss tangent (Tan δ ), this parameter indicates the ease with which a material introduces power losses. A dielectric material will lose less power the lower its dissipation factor is. The loss tangent of the dielectric materials commonly used for the manufacture of PCBs is between 0.02 and 0.001 and its value increases with the frequency. Particularly significant in analog circuits, this parameter takes on relative significance in digital circuits, at least at frequencies below 1 GHz. Thermal properties When electrical currents pass through a PCB, it develops a certain amount of heat which causes thermal stress on dielectric materials, traces and components. Over time, heat can cause materials to expand, resulting in cracks, damage to tracks and soldering, or even failure. When selecting a dielectric material, it is essential to evaluate its thermal conductivity that is its ability to dissipate heat safely without affecting the operation of the PCB. Other important thermal properties are the thermal expansion rate of the material, also known as the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the decomposition temperature (Td). Tg The glass transition temperature (Tg) indicates the temperature threshold above which a material changes its characteristics when subjected to heat. More precisely, a dielectric material for PCBs softens when exposed to temperatures above Tg, and then hardens again when the heat is removed and the temperature drops. FR-4, the material commonly used in PCBs (Figure 3), has a Tg value between 130 and 140°C. There are also materials with medium Tg (150-160°C) and high Tg (above 170°C). The higher the Tg of a material, the better its resistance to high temperatures. Figure 3: FR-4 is a standard PCB material Td The decomposition temperature (Td) indicates the temperature threshold above which the dielectric material begins to decompose. Unlike what happens for the glass transition temperature (where the material is able to recover its original properties when the temperature returns below the threshold), in the case of the decomposition temperature the effects are not reversible but permanent. Since the temperatures reached during the soldering phase are between about 200°C and 250°C, it is preferable to select a material with a Tg below this range and higher than Td. CTE The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) indicates the rate of expansion of a material exposed to temperatures above its Tg. Measured in parts per million (ppm), the CTE is generally between 10 and 20 ppm along the X and Y axes. The CTE value should be minimized in order to prevent the PCB material from expanding on the plane X, Y. K Thermal conductivity (k) expresses the ability of a material to transfer heat. In most dielectric materials, the thermal conductivity (measured in W/mK or in W/m°C) is generally included in the range from 0.3 to 6W/mK. Conversely, copper has a thermal conductivity of 386W/m°C and is therefore able to transport heat faster than a dielectric material. Chemical properties In general, it is preferable to select materials that have low moisture absorption and high chemical resistance; in particular, a high resistance to methylene chloride. Also very important is the selection of materials with flame retardant properties, capable of resisting flames for several seconds (an example is FR-4, a material with Level 4 flame retardant properties). Moisture absorption expresses the ability of a dielectric material to resist immersion in water. Most dielectric materials used in PCB fabrication have a moisture absorption value between 0.01% and 0.20%. The resistance to absorption of methylene chloride is instead an index of the chemical resistance of a dielectric material. This property, measured by the MCR (Methylene Chloride Resistance) index, generally has values between 0.01% and 0.20% in most materials. Selection of materials The main materials that can be used as dielectrics in the manufacture of a PCB will now be examined. FR-4 FR-4, acronym for flame retardant level 4, is today the standard material used for the manufacture of PCBs. This material, made of epoxy laminate reinforced with woven glass fiber, has flame retardant properties and complies with the UL94V-0 standard. Being the most widely used material in the manufacture of printed circuits, FR-4 is particularly convenient for high-volume production cycles. However, this material exhibits limitations in high frequency signal applications and is not suitable for dissipating large amounts of heat. Furthermore, the dielectric constant of the FR-4 is not kept constant as the frequency varies and this can generate signal integrity problems. DPI/PPO Thermosetting hydrocarbon laminates (DPI and PPO) offer good mechanical stability, high durability and are easy to manufacture. In addition to excellent chemical resistance, these dimensionally stable materials have a high resistance to temperature and represent an ideal solution for all applications with heat resistance up to 110°C and high impact resistance over a wide range of temperatures. Moisture absorption is very low and the material also supports direct contact with boiling water. PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials are proposed as a valid alternative to the more common FR-4. Obtained with a compound of carbon and fluorine, PTFE has a high glass transition temperature (about 120˚C). PTFE has excellent dielectric properties which remain so even at very high frequencies, making it a suitable solution for high speed, high frequency, microwave and high power RF applications. Signal loss is very low, impedance control is simplified, and signal performance is excellent. Polyimides Polyimide materials are usually used to make the flexible layers in flexible and rigid-flexible PCBs, as they can be easily bent and rotated around components without compromising the operation and performance of the circuit. Polyimide also offers excellent high temperature resistance, good heat dissipation, moisture and chemical resistance. CEM-1, CEM-2 and CEM-3 CEM is a family of PCB materials listed by NEMA that includes three categories of materials: CEM-1, CEM-2 and CEM-3. Given its low cost, CEM-1 is the most widely used material for single-sided PCB fabrication. It is a composite material made with a combination of cellulose (paper) and a single layer of fiberglass interwoven epoxy resin (FR-4). This material does not support the application of through-hole plated holes and therefore can only be used for single-layer PCBs. Like FR-4, CEM-1 is also fireproof, but the mechanical characteristics are lower due to the greater fragility of the material. Figure 4 shows a PCB made with CEM-1 material (note the typical whitish color of the same). Figure 4: Example of PCB CEM-1 CEM-2 materials offer higher glass transition temperatures than CEM-1 and are composed of a cellulose paper core and a woven glass fiber surface. CEM-3 materials are glass epoxy compounds widely used for double-sided PCBs with plated holes. Rogers Rogers materials, produced by the Rogers Corporation company, offer several advantages over traditional dielectric materials, such as lower power losses and lower dielectric losses, better thermal management, wide range of dielectric constant values (from a minimum of about 2.55 to a maximum greater than 10), better impedance control. Although the cost is higher, Rogers materials are widely used in PCBs for RF and high frequency applications. Metal Core PCBs Metal Core PCBs, also known as MCPCBs, contain a metal core whose function is to redirect heat away from the hottest components. The core is usually composed of a metal plate of a certain thickness made with aluminum or special alloys. Aluminum is typically the cheapest option considering thermal conductivity, stiffness, and cost. The thickness of metal cores is typically between 30mil and 125mil, but thicker or thinner cores can be made. The main difference between an FR-4 PCB and an MCPCB is the dielectric material with high thermal conductivity present in the MCCPB, which acts as a thermal bridge between the components of the integrated circuit and the supporting metal plate. Figure 5 shows an example of MCPCB for power lighting applications. Figure 5: Example of MCPCB Selection criteria The selection of the most suitable dielectric material depends on the requirements of the specific application, such as voltage and current levels, maximum frequency of signals, power developed by the components, amount of heat to be dissipated. The following guidelines can help the designer at this stage: Use materials with very similar dielectric constant. If you use materials with very different values of Dk, you can create problems of signal integrity and anomalous behavior when the frequency varies Use materials with very similar coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). If this does not happen, the materials could expand with different rates or to a different extent with respect to the two axes X and Y, causing possible damage to the PCB and affecting the Dk value Make sure that the dielectric materials produce perfectly smooth and smooth surfaces, so as not to alter the Dk value Always look for the right compromise between budget and performance. The FR-4 is an excellent material for many applications, while in specific cases (such as high frequency RF applications, power LEDs or HDI circuits, to name a few) it is necessary to focus on materials with higher performance, even if more expensive. Choosing the correct dielectric material allows for the creation of reliable PCBs capable of guaranteeing the same level of performance over time and with varying electrical and thermal conditions to which the circuit is subjected. Conclusion Performance offered by a PCB, as well as its reliability and duration over time, strictly depends on the types of dielectric material used for its manufacture. The thermal, electrical, chemical and mechanical properties are essential parameters for the selection of a dielectric material and, therefore, shall be appropriately considered in the design phase in order to guarantee the optimal operation of the printed circuit and of the electronic device in which it is used. 15.12.2022 Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "How to choose your PCB Dielectric Material", "Electrical Properties", "Dielectric constant", "Dissipation factor", "Thermal properties", "Tg", "Td", "CTE", "K", "Chemical properties", "Selection of materials", "FR-4", "DPI/PPO", "PTFE", "Polyimides", "CEM-1, CEM-2 and CEM-3", "Rogers", "Metal Core PCBs", "Selection criteria", "Conclusion", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "The selection of the dielectric material shall be carried out based essentially on the electrical, thermal and chemical properties of the material itself." }, "timestamp": "20260119210515", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260119210515id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-choose-your-pcb-dielectric-material" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-face-the-impact-on-pcb-of-components-shortage", "bytes": 58801, "digest": "YILLUCOUFBXYXVU5TZIAMPRFMKE2EKNT", "length": 15326, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How to Face the Impact on PCB of Components Shortage", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account How to Face the Impact on PCB of Components Shortage The shortage of electronic components, in particular of some categories of semiconductors and chips, has for some time been creating many problems for the global electronics industry. This crisis of the components, one of the most serious of all, does not yet seem to have come to an end and it is widely believed that it can continue at least for the next 2023. The imbalance between supply and demand, especially for components with high integration density (MCUs, CPUs and FPGAs) has expanded enormously as a result of the growth of some sectors such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and automotive (design and production of electric vehicles ). CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! The global shortage of electronic components has impacted many sectors of electronic manufacturing, including PCBs. For engineers, this resulted in the need to review the design process of an electronic circuit, taking into account from the outset that some components may be difficult to find, or have very long supply times. This article will analyze the main causes that led to the onset of this problem and what measures manufacturers and designers can take in order to limit its effects on the PCB industry. Causes of component shortages The trigger that started the global chip shortage was the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in 2020. This resulted in the closure, or temporary suspension for precautionary purposes, of some wafer and semiconductor production lines. That resulted in a collapse in demand for some raw materials used in the manufacture of electronic components and PCBs (first of all, copper). After the initial shock of the pandemic, the entire electronics sector has undergone a strong recovery (following the classic 'V' trend) with a rebound in global demand for semiconductors. Smart working and electric mobility have increased the demand for electronic components very quickly, resulting in a lengthening of delivery times and higher procurement costs. Smart working, in particular, has increased the market demand for new electronic devices needed by people recovered in their homes for work and study. The semiconductor industry has had to increase production to quickly supply devices such as: Computers, networking, and home office equipment Laptops, tablets and educational systems for students and teachers Mobile phones and remote communication systems (webcams and teleconferencing systems) Home entertainment systems (televisions, video game consoles, etc.) Home automation and home security systems. The main impact occurred on the first link in the supply chain, that is, on the wafer foundries. The number of foundries currently in operation is limited, with a concentration of production sites especially in the Asian area. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), the silicon foundry that controls a large part of world wafer production, is unable to meet the huge number of orders received and therefore, at least for the next few months, cannot guarantee short delivery times. In addition to semiconductor wafers (Figure 1), the supply of other materials has experienced significant slowdowns. These include materials used to make PCB substrates (such as FR-4), copper, cables, connectors, and passive components. The demand for copper sheets has grown both because of the increased production of PCBs and due to the high use of this material in the manufacture of batteries and components for electric vehicles. Demand for aluminum, mainly used in metal-based printed circuit boards (MPCBs), also increased, further worsening supply problems. The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict has also led to a significant increase in prices, limiting the supply of raw materials used in the production of semiconductors. Figure 1: 12-inch silicon wafer This gap between supply and demand is increasingly extending delivery times which, for different categories of semiconductors, can even reach fifty weeks and beyond. With the lengthening of delivery times, prices have also increased. This occurred from wafer manufacturing to all other stages in the electronic component development chain. Impact on the PCB industry One of the sectors most affected by the phenomenon was the automotive industry. Due to the large number of electronic devices present on board vehicles (Figure 2), the number of printed circuits and electronic components required is very high. This need for chips has grown in recent years thanks to the introduction of numerous electronic systems aimed at increasing safety (such as ADAS systems), the implementation of the first levels of autonomous driving and connectivity between vehicles (V2V and V2X). The lack of chips has led in some cases to the suspension or reduction of vehicle production, resulting in an increase in the price of new cars. Figure 2: The number of electronic devices installed on board vehicles is constantly growing Other sectors impacted by the lack of chips are that of mobile devices (especially medium or low-end smartphones) and the IoT sector. The demand for chipsets and IoT modules is in fact growing strongly, mainly due to the need for greater connectivity in smart devices and support for new 5G technologies. Due to the scarcity of raw materials and semiconductor wafers, the production of some high-end electronic components used in automotive applications took priority over the production of simpler components used in the IoT sector, which was further penalized. How to deal with the chip shortage The shortage of semiconductors has shown that the current production of wafers, the basic element of every electronic component, is insufficient to cover global demand and is too concentrated in some geographical areas. To boost chip production, some manufacturers and foundries are making large investments to build new factories. In addition to Asian countries, these investments will affect the United States and Europe. All countries have understood how electronic materials and components represent a strategic sector to support the country's economy. Clearly, this is not a quick fix. The new production sites will be at full capacity no earlier than the end of 2023. In addition to private companies, governments are also taking steps to solve the problem of semiconductor shortages, preventing the consequences from happening again in the future. The United States government, for example, approved the CHIPS Act in the summer of 2022, which provides for the allocation of several tens of billions of dollars for the research and production of semiconductors in the American territory. The goal is to reduce US dependence on global semiconductor manufacturers, alleviating the supply problems that are plaguing the electronics and PCB industries. Similar initiatives are currently being studied by the European Union and other countries in various parts of the world. The European Commission has announced an investment of several tens of billions of euros in the European semiconductor industry. As most semiconductors are produced in Asia (especially Taiwan), this was done in the hope of strengthening Europe's presence in the market. While this may not solve the immediate problem, it puts the continent in a better position for future manufacturing supply. In addition to these initiatives taken globally, there are some actions that a manufacturer or designer of electronic circuits and PCBs can take to better address the problems arising from the shortage of components. Infineon Technologies, for example, inaugurated the Villach plant in Austria in September 2021, one of the most modern in the world and intended for the production of 300 mm (12 inch) wafers. Any company operating in PCB manufacturing and assembly can apply the following actions to limit the consequences and impacts on their business of the semiconductor shortage: Close cooperation with suppliers of raw materials and electronic components. This allows you to stay aligned on investment plans and technology roadmaps, making sure in advance that materials will be available when needed Diversification of suppliers. The availability of several suppliers, selected on the basis of reliability and solidity criteria, makes it possible to compensate for a temporary unavailability of one supplier by drawing on the stocks of another. This also makes it possible to reduce the risks associated with the concentration of procurement with a single supplier Plan production, if possible, well in advance. Orders can thus be forwarded to suppliers in time, giving them the ability to manage procurement with a greater safety margin Accumulation of the most critical components. Some components, such as the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transceivers essential for the realization of IoT devices, displays, uncommon integrated circuits, can be stored in the warehouse when there is greater availability of the product, making up for any shortcomings that may occur in future Always rely on official distributors. The scarcity of components can lead the designer or manufacturer to use third-party suppliers, thus increasing the risk of finding unreliable or even counterfeit components Take into due consideration, from the initial stages of the project, the possible obsolescence of some components. Semiconductor manufacturers indicate in advance when a component is destined for obsolescence and this aspect becomes very important if the designed circuit is to have future developments. The same holds true for components produced discontinuously; to avoid their possible shortage, it is essential that the designer foresees in advance alternative components as a second or third choice In order not to block the production and assembly of a printed circuit (Figure 3 shows an assembly machine with SMT technology), also consider the possibility of using drop-in alternatives. Drop-in alternatives are components that can be used to replace components that are no longer available. The spare parts must necessarily have the same type of pinout, power supply pin and connection to ground For the creation of prototype or demonstration PCBs, an extreme option is the recovery of critical components from reference or evaluation boards. While not a permanent solution, this approach can provide temporary relief from a shortage of components while waiting for them to become available again. In fact, it is often the case that development boards and evaluation kits containing non-stock components are still widely available. Figure 3: An equipment for the automatic assembly of PCBs with SMT technology Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Russia-Ukraine conflict had negative repercussions on the entire supply chain of materials and electronic components globally. If not planned properly, the shortage of components and raw materials can hinder the design and assembly of PCBs. Proper preparation and optimization of supplier and component selection can help reduce the impact of unplanned needs for PCB designs. To address these challenges, while preventing negative consequences from occurring in the future, it is first necessary to have a greater production capacity of wafers, the basic component of every electronic circuit. Individual companies producing PCBs and electronic boards can then take targeted actions in order to anticipate, mitigating the risks of a possible shortage of raw materials and semiconductors. 09.01.2023 Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "How to Face the Impact on PCB of Components Shortage", "Causes of component shortages", "Impact on the PCB industry", "How to deal with the chip shortage", "Conclusion", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "The shortage of electronic components, in particular of some categories of semiconductors and chips, has for some time been creating many problems for the global electronics industry." }, "timestamp": "20260119204650", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260119204650id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-face-the-impact-on-pcb-of-components-shortage" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com", "bytes": 71342, "digest": "3CEVFRETE3T5B6GPVJRI3HXS2JU2Q4OT", "length": 13713, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Rapid PCB Assembly Prototypes - Proto-Electronics", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language English Deutsch Español Français Italiano Nederlands Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account PCB Assembly Manufacturing for fast prototyping Proto-Electronics is a European PCB, SMT and standard component fast online prototyping platform. Get your quote 100% online in less than 10 minutes. Start a project Test the demo Your PCBA prototypes in 4 steps Set up your printed circuit board Import your list of components (BOM) Generate your quote online Complete your order Our assembly plants Proto-Electronics has two production facilities : one in Rosheim (France) and one in Braga (Portugal). Our team of qualified professionals is supported by high-quality equipment in which we are constantly investing: X-ray inspection systems, reflow ovens (vapour phase soldering), SMT Smartline, SMT BGA/QFN stations, automatic visual inspection system, etc. Inspection System… Your PCB specifications Customise your printed circuit board by selecting from a wide range of technical specifications: Double or multi layers, 9 mask colours, 11 base laminate materials, 8 surface finishes, impedance control, gold fingers, Metallographic section, Edge plating, … Electronic components shortage solution Our system instantly checks if your BOM components are available among 4 million existing references from our EMS considered suppliers (Mouser, DigiKey, Farnell, RS Components). If the reference is not available, our search tool will suggest a similar one. Why you should entrust us with your PCBA prototypes: FAST quote Login to the web platform, configure your PCB and choose the quantity, import your BOM. Get your quote 24/7 in only 10 minutes. EXPRESS deliveries Choose your lead time: from 5 to 20 business days. It includes PCB manufacturing (Gerber files needed), components reception, assembly, controls and shipment. Your PCBA prototypes ONLINE Thanks to over 25 000 orders, 2300 customers and a professional team of 32 people, Proto-Electronics is the European specialist in online PCBA prototyping. CONFIDENTIALITY Our teams are subject to strict confidentiality rules and our database is secured. A Confidentiality Agreement (NDA) can be signed if you so wish. QUALITY control Every stage of assembly is controlled by our production team: manual and automatic visual inspections, X-rays. Customer SERVICE Our team is available from Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 7 pm per phone, e-mail or Live chat. Create an account Proto-Electronics.com Blog Find out what’s new in the world of electronics: Stay updated about the next events and platform evolutions. Discover the blog ↗ About Us Online PCBA prototyping production platform ProtoNews Follow all the news of Proto-Electronics.com on the blog. News Contact us A question ? An advice ? 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Receive your wired electronic boards within 5 working days." }, "timestamp": "20260119203845", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260119203845id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-our-production-and-delivery-lead-times", "bytes": 48127, "digest": "YXENRHUYB3EO3ICLO3QHPT3EEP7FPG4O", "length": 12247, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times When you place your order for PCB prototypes, you have a choice of several production lead times starting from only 5 days. These lead times allow you to choose the date you will be delivered your prototypes on time. They vary from 5 to 20 business days and include: PCB production The purchase of electronic components (including availability checks) The assembly of the electronic components on the PCBs The checks The packaging Delivery to you To provide more flexibility in your PCB prototype projects, you will see that, depending on the selected lead time, your project costing varies. Thus, by ordering on Proto-Electronics.com, you have perfect control of your deadlines and your project. Production lead times are the following: Urgent D+5* business days Fast D+8 business days Standard D+12 business days Economic D+15 business days Super-eco D+20 business days *for a 2 layer PCB with wiring services. If you supply electronic components, remember to take the lead time you selected into account! CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Questions about your project’s feasibility? The entire Proto-Electronics team is there to give you advice or support: by phone at +44 1202 006012 by e-mail via live-chat on our web site www.Proto-Electronics.com We hope to hear from you soon! Your Proto-Electronics.com team Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Everything you need to know about our production and delivery lead times" }, "timestamp": "20260110010849", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260110010849id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-our-production-and-delivery-lead-times" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-our-production-and-delivery-lead-times?hs_amp=true", "bytes": 10498, "digest": "IYD4HL4YN4KV7S3T3VBRZEI22MTSS4RC", "length": 4902, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Discover the blog and the news of Proto-electronics What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times Written by Proto-Electronics | August 1, 2018 at 9:18 AM When you place your order for PCB prototypes, you have a choice of several production lead times starting from only 5 days. These lead times allow you to choose the date you will be delivered your prototypes on time. They vary from 5 to 20 business days and include: PCB production The purchase of electronic components (including availability checks) The assembly of the electronic components on the PCBs The checks The packaging Delivery to you To provide more flexibility in your PCB prototype projects, you will see that, depending on the selected lead time, your project costing varies. Thus, by ordering on Proto-Electronics.com, you have perfect control of your deadlines and your project. Production lead times are the following: Urgent D+5* business days Fast D+8 business days Standard D+12 business days Economic D+15 business days Super-eco D+20 business days *for a 2 layer PCB with wiring services. If you supply electronic components, remember to take the lead time you selected into account! CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Questions about your project’s feasibility? The entire Proto-Electronics team is there to give you advice or support: by phone at +44 1202 006012 by e-mail via live-chat on our web site www.Proto-Electronics.com We hope to hear from you soon! Your Proto-Electronics.com team View full post", "headings": [ "What to know on our PCB prototypes production and delivery lead times" ], "metaDescription": "Everything you need to know about our production and delivery lead times" }, "timestamp": "20260110010849", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260110010849id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-our-production-and-delivery-lead-times?hs_amp=true" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-and-where-use-vias-in-pcb-design?hs_amp=true", "bytes": 16206, "digest": "CG3XTR6MBG6J5DAEVSIEVS3Z5PKU6UDZ", "length": 7651, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How and where use vias in PCB design", "emails": [], "phones": [], "bodyText": "Discover the blog and the news of Proto-electronics How and where use vias in PCB design Written by Proto-Electronics | November 19, 2021 at 8:12 AM The term via (or via hole) means an electrical connection between different layers of a printed circuit board. Via is basically a small hole made through the PCB laminates that crosses two or more adjacent layers. The hole is covered internally with copper (by galvanic process, riveting, or by inserting a small tube of conductive material), forming an electrical connection in the insulating material that separates the PCB layers. Based on the specific needs of the application, an electronic board may require vias that cross all the layers of the stackup, only one of the two outermost layers, or only two or more inner PCB layers. As we will see later in this article, there is also a particular category of vias, known as thermal vias, whose function is to dissipate the heat produced by the components rather than making an electrical connection between different PCB layers. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! It is also important to underline that vias should not be confused with PTH (Plated Through Hole) holes, which are normally used for the electrical connection of through-hole components on the PCB. The PTH holes, which have larger dimensions than the vias, can also be used to make a mechanical connection on the board of some components, such as connectors. Figure 1 shows a portion of PCB with surface mount components (SMD), in which the presence of a large number of vias is noted. Figure 1: via holes on a PCB Types of via Vias can be grouped into three main classes, based on their position within the stackup and on the number of layers they pass through: through hole via : these via pass through all the layers of the PCB, including the two outer sides of the printed circuit board. They generally have larger dimensions than the other types of vias, and are simpler to make as there is no need to stop the drilling process at the desired point buried via : in this case, the via lies entirely inside the printed circuit board and is therefore devoid of connections to the external layers. In the case of a multilayer board, the internal plating of a buried via must necessarily be completed before applying the two outermost layers to the board. Buried vias are also very useful for reducing the PCB aspect ratio, that is the ratio between the thickness of the PCB and the diameter of the via hole blind via : these vias start from one of the external sides of the PCB and cross one or more internal layers, without however joining with the opposite side of the PCB. From a manufacturing point of view, blind vias present some difficulties, as it is necessary to precisely determine when to stop the drilling process in order to obtain the desired degree of depth. Blind vias are very useful for increasing the number of connections between an internal and external layer, with a possible reduction in the number of traces and therefore in the final cost of the PCB. From the above it is evident that the presence of through hole vias can in theory also be detected with the naked eye, as they can be crossed by light, while for buried and blind vias this is not possible. The three via classes are shows in Figure 2. Figure 2: Types of vias The evolution of electronic components towards an ever greater integration density, with a consequent increase in the number of interconnection pins, has determined the adoption in the design of via holes applied directly on the BGA (Ball Grid Array) pads, also known as via-in-pad. For PCB manufacturers, via-in-pads are an advantage, as they reduce the PCB space required by traditional vias, resulting in boards with smaller size. Via-in-pads, however, can show issues during PCB fabrication. In particular, the soldering process can cause the hole to fill up, rendering it unusable. For this reason, it is generally advisable to minimize the number of via-in-pads. Microvias A class of vias apart is represented by microvia, which unlike the previous types are used exclusively on printed circuit boards with a high number of interconnections (HDI). It is common practice to assume that we can speak of microvia when the diameter of the hole is equal to or less than 150 µm. However, the IPC standard has revised the definition of microvia in 2013, defining it now as a hole with an aspect ratio (ratio between the diameter of the hole and its depth) equal to one. Furthermore, the depth of a microvia must never exceed the value of 0.25 mm. To obtain holes of such small dimensions, it is necessary to use laser micro-perforation, a process in continuous evolution potentially capable of creating microvia with a diameter even lower than 15 µm. Laser microperforation, which inevitably introduces additional costs, is normally performed before the layer lamination process. As shown in Figure 3, microvias have a typical cone shape, an aspect that greatly simplifies the internal wall plating process. Each single microvia can cross at most two adjacent layers. The widespread diffusion of mobile and portable devices, such as smartphones and wearables, have resulted in an evolution of microvia from single unit to more complex structures, composed of multiple microvia. In fact, if the PCB design requires vias that cross several layers, microvias can be overlapped in the stacked configuration. An alternative configuration to the previous one is the staggered one, in which the microvias practiced on adjacent layers are offset from each other. Figure 3: structure and types of microvia Compared to normal via holes, microvias have the advantage of reducing the PCB size in boards with a high number of connections. In addition, microvias are particularly useful in some applications, such as BGA breakout with 0.65 µm pitch. In audio circuits, microvias reduce crosstalk phenomena and, in high-speed and high-frequency applications, provide better protection from electromagnetic interference. The radiant effect, determined by the particular geometric structure of the via, which can behave like a real antenna, is ultimately much lower in microvias than in traditional vias. However, microvias are not free from issues or defects that can compromise the reliability of the electronic board. The main problem is related to the onset of ICD (acronym for InterConnect Defects) near the internal plating of the holes, which can cause open circuits and other intermittent problems when operating at high temperatures. Thermal vias Active components, such as power electronic devices (including MOSFETs, diodes and power modules), high-performance microprocessors and high-frequency components, develop a considerable amount of heat that can be better dissipated through the adoption of thermal vias. Most of the printed circuit boards are based on FR-4, a relatively inexpensive material that however has a high thermal resistance. As a result, heat builds up near the bottom of the component, resulting in a high temperature rise and the potential formation of hot-spots. Thermal vias, placed in direct contact with the active components, favor a better heat transfer, allowing the component to operate at lower operating temperatures, as close as possible to ambient temperature. To be effective, thermal vias must be placed as close as possible (preferably below) to the component that generates heat. Since each thermal path has a higher thermal conductivity than the FR-4 substrate, placing more thermal paths reduces the thermal resistance of the structure and is able to transfer more heat. Thermal vias also have some inductance, so it is preferable to place more vias in parallel, connecting them to the ground plane to provide a return path with lower inductance. As for the physical structure, thermal vias are generally of the through-hole type, internally coated with conductive epoxy resin and subjected to subsequent plating. The thermal path therefore behaves like a tube capable of transferring heat from a component placed on one of the surface layers towards the innermost layers. The thermal channels are also covered with a solder mask on the back side of the board to prevent the solder from going through the holes. The determination of the number, size and positioning of thermal vias is today facilitated by the availability of software tools capable of performing a thermal analysis of the circuit in the various operating conditions and with different values of the ambient temperature. 18/11/2021 View full post", "headings": [ "How and where use vias in PCB design", "Types of via", "Microvias", "Thermal vias" ], "metaDescription": "Vias can be grouped into three main classes, based on their position within the stackup and on the number of layers they pass through." }, "timestamp": "20260101212230", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260101212230id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-and-where-use-vias-in-pcb-design?hs_amp=true" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/our-top-10-printed-circuit-design-software-programmes", "bytes": 59658, "digest": "JEJUYWR4HAD5YFVJLH2SEWGB437SUO6W", "length": 15722, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Our Top 10 PCB design software programmes", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Our Top 10 PCB design software programmes There are many software programmes to design printed circuits, whether free of charge or not, from the prototyping phase through to industrialisation. How to choose between freeware for DIY fans and complex software suites costing tens of thousands of dollars ? Based on Proto-Electronics client preferences, we have drawn up the top 10 best electronics CAD software programmes. 1. Eagle EAGLE is a PCB design software developed by the German CadSoft Computer GmbH created by Rudolf Hofer and Klaus-Peter Schmidiger in 1988. The company was acquired by Farnell in 2009 and by Autodesk in 2016, a world class software heavyweight with over 2 billion euros of turnover. EAGLE stands for Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor. Autodesk EAGLE: The software is available in 3 versions: EAGLE Free: the limited trial version for DIY fans EAGLE standard: 99 diagram sheets, 4 signal layers and a 160 cm² printed circuit area EAGLE Premium: the professional version with 999 diagram sheets, 16 signal layers and an unlimited printed circuit area Features and specifications Diagram editor (connected to the library, electric rules, generation of an interconnection list) Annotation of changes between the diagram and the PCB Diagram hierarchy Layout diagram with advanced features EAGLE has the advantage of being one of the PCB design software heavyweights. At a reasonable cost of $500/year, it has a significant community that puts tutorials online. It also has an extensive component library and runs in a Mac OS X or Linux environment. However, John Teel, the electronics design expert on the PredictableDesigns.com blog finds the EAGLE graphic interface both complex and not user-friendly. 2. Altium Founded in 1985 as Protel Systems in Australia, the company changed its name to Altium in 2001. Currently American, it is a PCB modelling creation software leader. The firm has 6000 new users every year and is aiming for a 200 million dollar turnover in 2020. Altium Designer On the Altium website you can download a full free trial version for 15 days, including virtual workshops. Features and specifications Design environment with diagrams, layout-routing, documentation and simulation Design for Manufacturing (DFM) to guarantee that your PCB designs are functional, reliable and easy to produce Easy data migration using powerful conversion tools 3D flex-rigid design Printed circuit design Diagram design Production file output With a licence starting price at $7000, the Altium software suite is especially suited for electronics engineers working for major industrial groups or in the Internet of Things. It is also extensively used by universities and leading schools. On the down side, it requires a long learning phase that will discourage DIY PCB fans. Altium Design only runs on Windows according to the specifications available on their website. 3. Proteus The Proteus electronic CAD solution , was developed by Labcenter Electronics Ltd., a company founded by John Jameson in 1988 in the United Kingdom. Widespreaded, Proteus is marketed in over 50 countries Features and specifications This suite has two main software programmes: Proteus ISI: diagram creation and electric simulation Proteus ARES: printed circuit routing solution with automatic component positioning Other available Proteus modules Proteus VSM Full built-in workflow Diagram design Simulation Measurement and analysis Bug correction Troubleshooting Proteus PCB design software PCB design with up to 16 layers of copper 14 million components in the library Interactive manual routing Proteus Visual Designer Combined with Proteus VSM, it provides a complete solution to edit flow diagrams and a hardware gallery for a built-in Arduino and Raspberry Pi development environment. 4. KiCad KiCad is an open source, free printed circuit design software suite. It was developed by Jean-Pierre Charras from the Grenoble IUT in France in 1992. This design software includes diagram management, PCB routing and 3D modelling possibilities for electronics engineers. Features and specifications Kicad: project manager Eeschema: electric diagram editor Pcbnew: printed circuit editor Cvpcb: utility to select the physical imprints of components used on the diagram Gerbview: Gerber file viewer Pcbcalculator: design aid tool to calculate resistance values, track widths, etc. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! 5. Cadence OrCAD PCB Designer Born in 1988 of the merger of SDA Systems and ECAD, Cadence Design Systems is currently a leader on the electronics CAD software market. Based in San José in California, it is a NASDAQ listed company with a turnover of about 2 billion dollars. Cadence publishes Allegro PCB Designer and OrCAD . Features and specifications Diagrams, layout and routing Interactive, real time routing with built-in constraints Automatic shape creation and update Automatic BGA assistance PSpice simulation and analysis Performance and reliability improvement while optimising costs Automatic circuit validation Electronic circuit mechanical and electric simulation OrCAD diagrams Symbol editor Built-in electronic component search Built-in design constraints 6. DesignSpark DesignSpark is an electronic CAD software programme born of the collaboration between the world leading component distributor RS Components and the Number One Systems software developer. Features and specifications Diagram entry Routing and automatic component positioning Project interface to organise design files 3D viewer Gerber and Excellon drilling file generation 7. Protel Some people still use Protel, the former version of Altium Designer. The reasons vary from one user to the other and, as seen above, software assessments can be very subjective: Latest version too expensive? Not enough new features to justify the upgrade? Not user-friendly and not easy enough to use? Difficulties encountered by some users to adapt to the new graphic interface? 8. Cadstar Cadstar is another design tool for the simplest to the most complex multi-layer PCBs. Originally developed by Rascal-Redac, this software entered the Zuken portfolio, a Japanese multinational that pioneered electronics CAD software, founded in 1976 in Yokohama. Cadstar is a full printed circuit board design environment, from initial design to product manufacturing. Features and specifications Printed circuit topology and routing Diagram capture Mechanical integration for data transmission using STEP or ACIS Analysis, measurement and checks (reliability, signal integrity) Library management Design review for project managers 9. Sprint-Layout Sprint-Layout is an electronic prototype design software published by Abacom. Using good ergonomics and capacities worthy of professional software, combined with a very competitive price, Sprint-Layout has become unavoidable for electronics engineers. Features and specifications Automatic PCB routing on two sides Extensive traditional and CMS component library New component creation Gerber and Excellon file generation Anti-aliasing Design-Rule-Check 10. PADS PCB PADS is another drawing software programme developed by CADLOG, the European leader in industrial electronics software. Based in Italy, the chairman is Filippo d’Agata and the French headquarters is in Cannes. Features and specifications Diagram entry Component libraries (ParQuest integration, Digikey integration) Project rules PCB topology (powerful, interactive routing, DFM and DFT checks, RF module) Archive management And you, tell us which one do you use? Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "Our Top 10 PCB design software programmes", "1. Eagle", "2. Altium", "3. Proteus", "Proteus VSM", "Proteus PCB design software", "Proteus Visual Designer", "4. KiCad", "5. Cadence OrCAD PCB Designer", "6. DesignSpark", "7. Protel", "8. Cadstar", "9. Sprint-Layout", "10. PADS PCB", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "How to choose between freeware for DIY fans and complex software suites costing tens of thousands of dollars ?" }, "timestamp": "20251224154739", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251224154739id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/our-top-10-printed-circuit-design-software-programmes" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-moisture-and-sensitive-devices-on-pcb", "bytes": 61825, "digest": "S2TGPX72FAHKE4K4I4KX4DM3LZPIZDKB", "length": 15934, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "How to deal with moisture and sensitive devices on PCB", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account How to deal with moisture and sensitive devices on PCB In recent years, electronic devices have undergone a continuous evolution that has led to ever smaller footprint, accompanied by ever higher performance and speed. Smaller, more complex and denser PCBs require appropriate protection of the electronic parts in order to avoid possible corrosion phenomena when exposed to moisture and contaminants. Those agents can in fact degrade the circuit performance, or cause short circuits and failures. Moisture, for instance, can cause different types of failures on a PCB, depending on which components or conductive traces come into contact with it. The most common issues related to moisture include a lag in the signals transmission, as well as increased propagation delays. Once a certain threshold is exceeded, the circuit may stop working entirely. Electronic devices can suffer internal damage if not handled and stored by applying industry specific standards. Components with Ball Grid Array (BGA) and chip scale packages are particularly sensitive to moisture, and even worse, damage to these components can be difficult to detect during inspection. Figure 1 shows an example of damage caused to the PCB by moisture. Figure 1: Damage produced by moisture on the PCB Sensitive components and MSD A few drops of water may be enough to irreparably damage a PCB, but an even lower amount of moisture can be harmful. Moisture represents an issue not only during the operation of the circuit, but also during the storage of the boards, before they are installed. Pure or demineralized water has a resistivity of approximately 1.8 x 10 7 Ω x m at 25°C, making it a much better insulator than an electricity conductor. Actually, the water with which a PCB can come into contact contains dissolved salts and minerals, chlorides, sulphates and carbonates. The presence of these materials makes water highly conductive, representing a potential threat to the integrity of the printed circuit board, causing short circuits and corrosion processes. An even worse threat is condensation, which occurs when the PCB surface is colder than its surroundings. Condensation can form both on the external faces of the board and inside the component packages, which must therefore be selected taking this aspect into consideration. Electronic components that are particularly sensitive to moisture, identified with the acronym MSD (Moisture Sensitive Device), require an appropriate protection both during the PCB assembly process and during the storage phase of the finished boards in the warehouse. When a component has a moisture absorption coefficient that is too high, there is the potential risk of damaging the board, the components, or the electrical connections among them. Excessive moisture during the soldering process can cause damage to the material used for the board substrate. These types of defects are not easily detectable and have a tendency to manifest themselves only on the final product or after a certain time of use, drastically reducing the possibility of remedying them. The greatest risks occur during the reflow soldering process, when MSD components are placed on the PCB. Even large and sudden variations in ambient temperature can cause expansion or cracking of the package. A very common effect produced by moisture is the internal delamination of the material used to build the PCB. The common FR-4, for example, is a highly hygroscopic material and is therefore particularly sensitive to environmental humidity, regardless of the packaging methods. Any moisture not eliminated during the welding phases turns into steam, causing delamination and microcavities in the most sensitive areas of the board. IPC standards for sensistive devices The first standards relating to moisture control in PCB were released in 2010 by the IPC, the organization initially known as Institute for Printed Circuits. By following these standards, electronic boards can last longer, provided proper techniques are used to diffuse moisture. In addition, boards protected by a suitable coating can maintain their solderability for longer periods, provided that measures are taken to prevent moisture from entering them. According to the same guidelines, baking is a practical method for removing moisture from PCBs if it had not been possible to prevent its entry previously. However, baking in oven inevitably leads to an increase in costs, an extension of production times and a lower solderability. This method should therefore be avoided as much as possible, preferring instead preventive maintenance techniques during assembly and storage of PCBs. There are currently two ICP-issued standards that can guide electronic manufacturers in handling moisture sensitive components: IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020E and IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033D. IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020E This standard offers a classification system for determining the initial reliability qualification. After identification, manufacturers can package, store and handle devices to reduce thermal and mechanical damage during the reflow process. IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033D This standard provides an end-user methodology for handling, packaging and shipping MSDs, as well as procedures to increase yield and limit reliability degradation. Both standards divide moisture sensitivity levels, or MSL, into classes numbered 1 to 6 depending on their susceptibility to moisture-induced damage. The higher levels apply to sensitive components that offer greater resistance to moisture. In particular, for each class, it is indicated how long the component can remain outside a moisture protection system before requiring baking in oven to remove the absorbed moisture. As you can seen in the table in Figure 2, the MSL 6 level corresponds to the most sensitive components, which need to go through baking even before being used. Figure 2: The MSL classes (Source: TI) PCBs, as well as finished boards, should instead be stored and shipped using special protective bags (which generally provides both ESD and moisture protection), known as MBB (Moisture Barrier Bag) bags. An example of such bag is shown in Figure 3. * Figure 3: MBB protective bags How to protect components and PCB To protect PCBs from moisture, the best approach is to intervene appropriately in all phases of PCB manufacturing, as well as in the subsequent storage or shipping phases. Manufacturing During the production of PCBs, the lamination process must be carried out in an environment with controlled temperature and moisture using, if necessary, suitable drying agents. Staff should always wear clean gloves whenever a new production batch is started, thus avoiding contamination between different components. During the PCB lamination process, the different layers that make up the PCB are positioned and glued to form a single board. During this phase, some manufacturers apply a low-pressure vacuum effect, avoiding the formation of gaps that could trap moisture inside them. Another common technique is to use copper plates with a meshed structure, in order to create stronger bonds and prevent the movement of moisture between the different layers of the PCB. However, it should be noted how these structures can affect the electrical performance of the board and their use must therefore be properly considered. After PCB fabrication, a surface finish can be applied for protective purposes. In this way, the properties of the PCB are kept intact until the next assembly stage. Assembly To prevent ambient moisture from adversely affecting the PCB, soldering of components should be performed at high temperatures with a humidity level below 0.1%, or at low temperatures with a humidity level below 0.2%. High temperature soldering is performed around 260°C, while low temperature soldering occurs around 230°C. After completing the assembly of the components on the board, cooking in oven is a common and effective practice for removing moisture. However, it is necessary to ensure that the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of the material used for the PCB is not exceeded, thus avoiding delamination or cracks. Arguably, the best form of protection for an assembled PCB consists in applying one among the several available types of conformal coating. Conformal coating protects not only from moisture, but also from fluids, contaminants and even ultraviolet rays. Conformal coating consists of a thin polymer film applied to the PCB to protect the board and its components from the environment and corrosion. The film typically has a thickness between 25 and 250µm and has the property of adapting to the shape of the board and its components, covering and protecting solder points, terminals and pins of electronic devices, exposed traces and other copper areas from corrosion, thus extending the operating life of the PCB. Figure 4 shows the corrosive effects produced on the PCB by moisture or other aggressive agents in the case of a board without conformal coating (image on the left) and with conformal coating (image on the right). These coatings form a uniform layer that covers the surfaces of the board, providing excellent repellency to moisture, oils, dirt, fingerprints and other environmental contaminants. Conformal coating provides protection from various corrosive agents such as moisture, water, salt spray, haze and sulfur. Figure 4: Board with and without conformal coating (Source: 3M) Encapsulation, which consists of fully inserting an assembled PCB inside a protective enclosure, can also prove to be a very effective method, as long as the enclosure allows trapped moisture to escape to the outside, for example through air vents. An alternative to full encapsulation consists in the partial coating of the board using appropriate epoxy resins that cover only some areas of the PCB particularly sensitive to humidity. Storage Printed circuit boards (assembled or not) should be stored in the appropriate MBB protective bags and not in envelopes that only provide ESD protection. Designers should also observe the guidelines contained in the IPC standards, which provide valuable recommendations for packaging and storage of electronic devices, minimizing the chance of moisture diffusion. Failure to apply PCB moisture protection to boards can cause PCB failures and unnecessary costs for repairs or replacements. However, by applying the techniques listed above for manufacturing, assembly, and packaging or storage, it is possible to greatly reduce the possibility of moisture and other similar agents threatening the functioning and reliability of the PCB. Conclusion With the current trend towards miniaturization and component density growth, designers face new challenges to provide PCBs with an adequate level of protection from moisture and corrosive agents. Moisture Sensitive Devices, or MSDs, have an increased sensitivity to moisture which can render the devices inoperable. The article has described the main techniques which, applied during the production, assembly, storage and shipping phases of an electronic board, allow to provide valid and lasting protection to the electronic circuit. 20.03.2023 CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "How to deal with moisture and sensitive devices on PCB", "Sensitive components and MSD", "IPC standards for sensistive devices", "IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020E", "IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033D", "How to protect components and PCB", "Manufacturing", "Assembly", "Storage", "Conclusion", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Moisture can cause different types of failures on a PCB, depending on which components or conductive traces come into contact with it." }, "timestamp": "20251212072240", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251212072240id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-moisture-and-sensitive-devices-on-pcb" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/flexible-pcbs-advantages-disadvantages", "bytes": 56964, "digest": "EH4YKQLMP4QIQ4VV6TNNIZ6BGP6S4B73", "length": 14135, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Flexible PCBs: advantages and disadvantages", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Flexible PCBs: advantages and disadvantages Flexible PCB technology, also known as FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), is continuously growing, with applications in the main electronics sectors, such as consumer, automotive, electro-medical devices, wearables, telecommunications and aerospace. The introduction of flexible PCBs has revolutionized the legacy electrical interconnection techniques, traditionally used to connect multiple parts of the same circuit or of multiple electronic devices. Thanks to the flexible nature of the connection, its compactness, and the high density of electrical connections that can be achieved, the solution based on flexible PCBs allows to obtain a considerable reduction of space, weight and costs compared to an equivalent solution based on rigid PCBs. Flexible printed circuits have replaced many types of wiring, often done by hand, in several applications, reducing the total cost of electrical wiring by up to 70%. The heart of an FPC is represented by flexible films and thin layers of conductive material that make the electrical connection by replacing the traditional wires (think, for example, of the connection between a microcontroller board and an LCD or OLED display), and on which electronic components can be directly attached via soldering or conductive adhesive. Figure 1 shows an example of flexible printed circuit. Figure 1: A flexible printed circuit (Source: Hoyogo) Structure of a flexible PCB As happens for rigid PCBs, FPCs can be divided into single layer, double layer or multi- layer circuits. The main elements of a single layer flexible printed circuit are the following: dielectric substrate film: the base material of the PCB. The most commonly used material is polyimide (PI), characterized by high resistance to traction and temperature; electrical conductors: made of copper, they represent the traces of the circuit; protective finish, made with cover lay or cover coat; adhesive material (polyethylene or epoxy resin), used for joining the various parts of the circuit together. The first phase of the FPC manufacturing consists in etching the copper to obtain the traces, while the protective coating (cover lay) must be drilled so as to allow access to the soldering pads. After a cleansing treatment, the components are joined together by rolling. The external terminals/pins, necessary for the electrical connection of the circuit, are protected from oxidation by immersion in tin for welding or in gold. If the circuit has a high complexity, or requires the presence of copper ground shields, it is necessary to switch to a double layer or multi-layer FPC. The manufacturing technique is very similar to that used for single layer flexible circuits, with the difference that in multi-layer FPCs it is necessary to insert PTH (Plated Through Hole), so as to create, where required, the electrical connection between different conductive layers. The union of these materials forms a flexible circuit, in which the adhesive material serves to join the conductive tracks with the dielectric substrate or, in multi-layer flexible circuits, to join the individual layers together. In addition, the adhesive film can also be used for protective purposes, preventing moisture, dust or other external agents from corroding or oxidizing the flexible circuit. In Figure 2 we can observe the structure of a multi-layer FPC. The example shown in Figure 2 includes four conductive copper layers, PTHs (on the right side of the image) and holes for accessing the conductive material (on the left side of the image, on both external layers). Figure 2: Structure of a multi-layer FPC (Source: Altium) Advantages of flexible PCBs Being flexible, FPCs can bended and flexed, allowing greater freedom in the design and operation of the application. Flexible circuits can also adapt to small or irregularly shaped spaces, a feature not supported by standard rigid circuits. Another advantage of flexible circuits is that they take up less space, reducing the weight on the application's motherboard. The optimal use of the available spaces allows also for better thermal management, reducing the amount of heat to be dissipated. Compared to rigid PCBs, flexible printed circuits can also prove more reliable and long-lasting, especially in applications where the circuits are subjected to continuous vibrations and mechanical stress. The standard interconnection techniques, based on soldered wires and hand-wired connectors, are replaced by flexible printed circuits, characterized by extremely low weight and thickness, which are accompanied by high mechanical resistance, resistance to high temperatures and atmospheric agents as well as good electromagnetic immunity (EMI). Think, for example, of the wiring of multiple electronic devices in the automotive sector, such as dashboard, display and man-machine interfaces (rotary controls, buttons, etc.). All these devices require a reliable connection in all operating conditions of the vehicle, being furthermore subjected to continuous mechanical stresses and vibrations. In the automotive sector, flexible printed circuits guarantee reliability, durability and maintenance interventions tending to zero. Figure 3 shows an automotive application of the FPC technology, here used in a car light switch. Figure 3: example of FPC application in the automotive industry In addition, the use of FPC can reduce the incidence of human errors during wiring, with consequent improvement in quality and reduction of costs. FPC technology contributes to significantly reduce both the size and weight of the application, a key factor for the creation of reliable, compact and highly integrated electronic devices. Disadvantages of flexible PCBs Although there are several and meaningful advantages, the FPC technology has also some drawbacks, or disadvantages. First of all, compared to traditional rigid PCBs, FPCs have a high one-time initial cost. Since flexible circuits are designed for very specific applications, the initial costs related to circuit and prototype design are higher than for rigid PCBs. If the cost is a determining factor in the choice of the type of PCB, it is better to use the FPC technology only for production volumes that are not too low. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of repairing or modifying the PCB when it needs to be reworked. In this case, in fact, it is first necessary to remove the protective film that wraps the circuit, perform the intervention and then restore the protection. Flexible PCBs are a relatively new technology and not all manufacturers are equipped to provide this type of product to their customers. Furthermore, during the assembly phase, great care must be taken, as the circuit can be easily damaged if handled incorrectly, or by unauthorized personnel. Conclusion Flexible printed circuits are used in several applications that we encounter in everyday life, such as smartphones, tablets, cameras, printers and laptops. They can even be hosted inside our body, being a fundamental component for the creation of pacemakers, cochlear implants and defibrillators. Over the past few years, the FPC industry has grown considerably, driven by the spread of increasingly smaller and lighter wearable and electro-medical devices. In many applications, flexible PCBs can eliminate the need (and cost) of connectors and cables, improving connection reliability and reducing assembly time, assembly costs and overall device dimensions. In conclusion, we can affirm that flexible PCBs have allowed the implementation of new and interesting applications, not achievable with traditional rigid PCBs. However, during the preliminary analysis of every new design, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages deriving from the use of a flexible PCB, compared to a rigid one; for many applications, the choice of a flexible PCB is mandatory, for others it depends on results of the costs and benefits analysis. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "Flexible PCBs: advantages and disadvantages", "Structure of a flexible PCB", "Advantages of flexible PCBs", "Disadvantages of flexible PCBs", "Conclusion", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Flexible PCB technology, also known as FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), is continuously growing, with applications in the main electronics sectors, such as consumer, automotive, electro-medical devices, wearables, telecommunications and aerospace." }, "timestamp": "20251212071210", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251212071210id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/flexible-pcbs-advantages-disadvantages" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/coronavirus-outbreak", "bytes": 44949, "digest": "UD4FC4U3H57OWBPIBVBM7CIZT3WY36K5", "length": 10622, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Coronavirus: Proto-Electronics maintains its lead times", "emails": [ "contact@proto-electronics.com" ], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Coronavirus: Proto-Electronics maintains its lead times Dear valued customers, In this period of Coronavirus outbreak, Proto-Electronics remains operational and maintains its 5 lead times (from Urgent to Super-Eco). Our 2 European production plants have been, in fact, sized to meet the high demand and meet your needs. We have noted a large increase in orders and measures were taken immediately to support it. All the teams have been reinforced (Production, Sales, Customer Service) and will continue to help you through your projects and answer all your questions. If you need any further information, please, feel free to contact us at +44 1202 006012 or by email ( contact@proto-electronics.com ). We thank you again for your trust and your loyalty, and we still remain at your disposal. Best regards Your Proto-Electronics' Team Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "Coronavirus: Proto-Electronics maintains its lead times", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "In this period of Coronavirus outbreak, Proto-Electronics remains operational and maintains its 5 lead times (from Urgent to Super-Eco)." }, "timestamp": "20251212070854", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251212070854id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/coronavirus-outbreak" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/damien-rossignon-wishes-2021", "bytes": 69963, "digest": "VGZJ2V3ST3T4H3JFRP3V6BPBQPK4TU7A", "length": 13292, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "2021 Wishes from Damien Rossignon, Proto-Electronics' CEO", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account 2021 Wishes from Damien Rossignon, Proto-Electronics' CEO Damien ROSSIGNON, CEO of PROTO-ELECTRONICS , Petite Serie Electronique and Altrics, looks back on this very special year 2020, its achievements, as well as its projection for 2021. 2020, we all agree , will not have been an ordinary year . As we enter 2021, it is important for us once again to thank you all for your loyalty , especially in recent months . For Proto-Electronics, 2020 has certainly been turned upside down, but it will nevertheless have enabled us to continue to invest and maintain our objectives : 13 people were hired ( including 5 in our production in Portugal) in order to consolidate the teams, both in production, as in IT and customer service s ; We have maintained our activity during periods of confinement following the Covid-19 epidemic , always respecting very strictly the safety instructions and hygiene rules . This has enabled our clients to find a solution to their needs during these difficult months ; In June 2020, we obtained the renewal of our ISO9001 certification : improving processes is essential in order to best meet your requests and expectations, namely time, price and of course quality ; The growth of our export sales continued (30% of our turnover), thus confirming the constant evolution of our market , driven by the digital transformation of companies ; In November , we were one of the 31 winners of the France RELANCE plan , set up by the French government last September with the aim of reviving the French economy following the economic crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic : the € 320,000 subsidy granted to us will contribute to the acquisition of new high-performance machines as well as to the development of new processes and application software ; We closed the year with 4.5 M ° of turnover (12% growth compared to 2019) and many new customers , so thank you ! What to wish for 2021? We hope that 2021 will be a prosperous year for you , for the whole world, and that life as we have known it will return to normal. We want 2021 to bring growth to our country so that we can hire , competitiveness and innovation to continue to sell in the global market . We suspect that 2021 will mark French industry with reindustrialisation and relocation to France. We want 2021 to be synonymous with reunions , especially at trade shows, where we used to meet you , so few in 2020. As every year, the entire Proto-Electronics team will strive to renew itself and develop new tools so that our platform remains intuitive, fast, and efficient. We will continue to offer our customers comprehensive, high-quality and local support, while maintaining our daily responsiveness. Today , you are more than 12,000 members r egistered on our platform to order your prototypes , and we thank you ! We are thus moving towards one of our main objectives, more quantitative this time: to reach 10 M ° of turnover in 2023. Thanks to you , to the commitment of our collaborators and our partners , we have succeeded in making Proto-Electronics a strong brand, recognized in our industry . We are happy to cross 2021 once again by your side , and remain mobilized to support you in your projects . All our best wishes for happiness , health and prosperity to make this New Year a positive and successful year ! Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "2021 Wishes from Damien Rossignon, Proto-Electronics' CEO", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Damien ROSSIGNON, CEO of PROTO-ELECTRONICS , Petite Serie Electronique and Altrics, looks back on this very special year 2020, its achievements, as well as its projection for 2021. " }, "timestamp": "20251212070534", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251212070534id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/damien-rossignon-wishes-2021" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/hints-improving-thermal-management", "bytes": 55871, "digest": "P5VTTH6DET6RVUPSCEA34QPHIYGHPQHN", "length": 14384, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Hints for improving PCB thermal management", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Hints for improving PCB thermal management Printed circuit boards, the heart of any electronic device, are designed to allow electrical conduction and the transmission of analog and digital signals between different electronic components. During its travel inside the PCB, electricity generates a more or less high amount of heat, which depends on the amount of resistance it encounters. In addition to traces, power components, such as MOSFETs, IGBTs, converters and drivers, are primarily responsible for heat generation. Although power supply voltages of highly integrated logic devices, such as DSPs, SoCs and FPGAs are progressively decreasing, these devices also develop a non-negligible amount of heat, due to both high operating frequencies and the intensive use of highly complex algorithms. Thermal management is one of the most critical and insidious aspects that designers face when designing a PCB. On the one hand, it is necessary to ensure the correct functioning and reliability of the circuit with every value of voltage, current and admissible frequency; on the other hand, it is necessary to respect the budget constraints imposed by the manufacturer, limiting the use of cumbersome and expensive cooling solutions such as heatsinks, fans or liquid cooling. Importance of thermal management Current silicon-based components have a junction temperature between about 125°C and 200°C. However, it is necessary to avoid reaching this value, otherwise the residual life of the component will deteriorate rapidly. In fact, it is estimated that an increase in operating temperature of 20°C, due to inefficient thermal management, can reduce component life by up to 50%. High brightness LEDs, for instance, convert over 60% of the absorbed power into heat and therefore require special printed circuit boards capable of handling high temperatures without damaging the components. The growing popularity of wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, such as gallium arsenide (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), has allowed components to reach higher operating temperatures than silicon-based technology. This, however, has not eliminated the need for accurate thermal management, capable of evenly distribute the generated heat, avoid the formation of dangerous heat accumulation points (hot spots) and minimizing power losses. Figure 1 shows an electronic circuit subjected to thermal scanning by infrared camera: the red colored parts correspond to the points of greatest heat concentration. Figure 1: PCB thermal imaging. Hints for a proper thermal management The first step to achieve satisfactory thermal management even in the presence of high-power loads is to identify, based on the technical characteristics of each component, the semiconductor junction temperature T J and thermal resistance R T . The first can be deduced from the component datasheet, while the second is defined as the temperature difference that occurs along the thermal path. In particular, R T can be minimized by reducing the length of the thermal path, or by increasing the thermal conductivity of the material and the area of the PCB pads. Both of these factors concern the PCB layout, which therefore shall be designed from the beginning to meet these requirements. The growing race towards the miniaturization of power circuits places serious limits on the increase in pad areas. Therefore, to improve thermal management, the designer can intervene on the following two factors: the length of the thermal path on the PCB shall be as short as possible; the materials and substrates which make up the PCB, as well as any heat sink, shall have the highest possible thermal conductivity . The first requirement can be met by adopting special precautions during the design of the printed circuit board, while the second requires a careful choice of materials to be made during the preliminary stages of the project, for example the feasibility study. PCB layout The techniques available to the electronic designer to reduce the thermal path length on the PCB are different. First of all, it is advisable to increase the distance between the tracks , thus obtaining a more uniform distribution of heat on the layer, reducing the risk of creating hot spots. This solution, however, is often limited by the need (as in the case of wearables) to obtain miniaturized PCB size. In addition to distance, the geometry of the tracks is also a very important factor. Tracks connecting power components should be as short and wide as possible, using copper with thick heights for the tracks traversed by high currents. The minimum recommended values for track width, a function of the intensity of the current flowing through it, can be obtained from the charts contained in the IPC-2221 standard for PCB design. If too small tracks are used for a given current, there is the risk of obtaining degraded performance or even to destroy some electronic components; if in doubt, it is always preferable to use tracks with a wider width. Another commonly used technique is to insert thermal vias along the thermal path. Thermal vias, which can be plated or not plated, connect different layers to each other, enabling the circulation of fresh air and evacuating heat. Plated thermal vias are more efficient, as the copper coating allows for more heat to be accumulated. In addition to thermal vias, another technique capable of subtracting heat from components consists in creating large copper planes in the PCB , thus increasing the useful surface capable of dispersing heat. Although the best dissipation is obtained with copper planes made on the upper and lower layers of the PCB, where the amount of heat exchanged with the surrounding environment is greater, these plans can also be created on the internal layers of the PCB. In power applications, a way to achieve effective heat dissipation is to use heavy copper technology, developed to increase the maximum tolerable current and temperature resistance of the PCB, without incurring failures or degraded operations. While standard PCBs have tracks that are about 0.5 to 3 ounces (105 µm) thick, heavy copper technology uses traces that can be up to 60 ounces (2.1 mm) thick, able to withstand currents of several amps. Figure 2 shows an example of a PCB made with heavy copper technology. Figure 2: A heavy copper PCB. Material selection Although FR-4 (Flame Retardant Level 4) is able to meet the heat dissipation requirements for many types of electronic circuits, there are several applications where it is necessary to use specific materials and substrates. Such applications include circuits where high frequency and/or power signals are present, radio frequency (RF) applications and devices where, due to the extremely small footprint, it is not possible to use heat sinks or other cooling systems (electro-medical and wearables, mainly). To obtain a better thermal dissipation, the material must have a high dielectric constant (D k ). Although they involve a higher cost, Rogers laminates meet this requirement thanks to a D k between about 6.15 and 11, compared to a D k of about 4.5 offered by FR-4. Furthermore, this material has a high stability as the temperature and frequency vary, thus reducing power losses in all operating conditions. Another manufacturing technique, known as MCPCB (Metal Core Printed Circuit Board), consists in combining substrates of materials with different thermal conductivities with metal planes, typically made with copper. The MCPCB technology uses a thermally conductive prepreg placed between the PCB layers, with the function of extracting heat from the components and routing it towards the metal planes. The MCPCB technique, which can employ a single or double metal plane (both the upper and lower layers of the PCB), is widely used in lighting applications with power or high brightness LEDs. If the heat produced is concentrated in a small number of components, the copper coin technology can also be used. Taking advantage of the high thermal conductivity of copper, pieces of the same metal are inserted inside or on the surface of the PCB, typically under the high-power components. CREATE AN ACCOUNT Create your free account on Proto-Electronics.com and get your PCBA quote within the next 10 minutes! Conclusion Successful thermal management begins with proper PCB design. Designers now have a wide variety of techniques available to reduce the amount of heat generated and improve its dispersion. The choice of materials, manufacturing techniques and the definition of the layout are the main steps that shall be taken to obtain satisfactory results. The availability of software tools capable of performing a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) thermal analysis , also in 3D, allows designers to simulate how heat transfer occurs in the entire circuit, orienting them in advance towards the most suitable solution for the specific application. Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks! Start your project Subscribe to ProtoNews ABOUT US Online PCBA prototyping production platform Proto-ELECTRONICS Order your electronic board prototype! Visit the Website CONTACT US A question ? An advice ? Our customer service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm CONTACT US Legal Notice Terms and Conditions of Sale Privacy Policy Contact Clear cookies", "headings": [ "Hints for improving PCB thermal management", "Importance of thermal management", "Hints for a proper thermal management", "PCB layout", "Material selection", "Conclusion", "Order your electronic boards prototypes in just a few clicks!", "Subscribe to ProtoNews" ], "metaDescription": "Thermal management is one of the most critical and insidious aspects that designers face when designing a PCB." }, "timestamp": "20251212065458", "waybackUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251212065458id_/https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog/hints-improving-thermal-management" }, { "url": "https://www.proto-electronics.com/blog", "bytes": 60080, "digest": "EZUWBONZMAQQ74I4YXWEFPBXGZDMZ5UK", "length": 9580, "fetched": true, "cachedAt": "2026-04-25T18:44:47.034Z", "mimetype": "text/html", "extracted": { "title": "Discover the blog and the news of Proto-electronics", "emails": [], "phones": [ "+44 1202 006012" ], "bodyText": "Select your country to view the content in your preferred language Phone +44 1202 006012 • Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 7 pm About us The company Key dates and figures Know-how The team How it works The platform PCB options PCB materials Production and delivery lead times Services and delivery terms BOM import Free demo Blog FAQ Contact Sign in Create an account Proto-Electronic's Blog Discover the blog and news from Proto-electronics.com. 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More Advancements in multi-layer PCB design for high-frequency applications The need for high-performance devices with expanded functionality is increasing in the ever-changing field of electronics. The need for printed circuit board (PCB) technology has resulted in notable... More PCB design hints for IoT and small-scale embedded systems In today's interconnected world, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become an integral part of our lives. From smart homes to wearables, IoT devices continue to revolutionize various industries.... More Exploring novel substrates for high-performance PCBs Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) serve as a fundamental infrastructure for electronic devices, facilitating the connecting of diverse electronic components. The advancement of electronic devices... 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dd4e3198-1087-40e7-926d-217159810e82Slug: proto-electronicsCreated: 4/25/2026Updated: 4/25/2026







