PCB Design and Fabrication Institute

Etch Factor

David Duross — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:43:42 +0000

An etch factor or etch compensation is a process modification made by the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturer to compensate for the chemical etching process. The chemical etching process is a subtractive operation that removes copper gradually when forming the circuit pattern. The size of the features at the end of the process are smaller [...]

Simple Yield Improvement. (Part 2)

David Duross — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:20:16 +0000

In the previous post we discussed what happens to the printed circuit board structure when it is heated. We discussed how different materials expand at different rates and the effect the expansion rates have on the warp and twist of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). We also discussed how moisture absorption can increase the degree [...]

Simple Yield Improvement. (Part 1)

David Duross — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 04:34:04 +0000

Over the past 15 years we have seen some very amazing advancements in technology. Our electronic devices have become smaller, faster and more powerful. The capabilities of these new devices have brought science fiction to life for many of us. What the common consumer does not realize is that these advancements have occurred in a [...]