Enhance Productivity with Macro Pad PCBs from RUSH PCB UK

Rush PCB UK makes macro pad PCBs or printed circuit boards that resemble miniature keyboards. The major use of these miniature keyboards is to supplement the functionality of a regular keyboard by offering more options for customization. As their name suggests, users can map the keys in macro pad PCBs to specific functions or a specific sequence of keys. This way, the user can create shortcuts for specific functions while increasing their productivity and efficiency.

Types of Macro Pad PCBs

Macro Pad PCBs can be made in many sizes, shapes, and budgets. While some may have only a few programmable keys, others may be the equivalent in functionality to full-size keyboards. Macro pad PCBs may also house mechanical switches to offer users the best typing experience.

Macro pad PCBs are also useful for gaming. Users can optimize the keyboard to obtain an edge when they play games. For instance, along with the usual programmable keys, gaming macro pad keyboards may also feature advanced features, such as RGB LED lighting, built-in analog sticks, and pressure-sensitive keys.

Gaming Macro Pad Keyboard

Although these look like traditional macro pad PCBs, they are optimized for gaming. They offer the user the best performance, as they have 24 programmable keys along with two scroll-wheels.

Despite the simple looks, the gaming macro pad keyboard is an innovative technology that stands out. This is because each key can have two actuation points. With pressure-sensitive keys, users can configure the half-press to one function, while they can configure the full-press to another function.

Gaming macro pad keyboards usually come with a solid build quality. A brushed aluminum frame is common, and some may even have a detachable padded wrist rest. Markings on the ABS key caps identify individual keys. Each key can also have RGB lighting. Users have the option of choosing their own key switches for the best typing experience.

With multiple actions, gaming macro pad keyboards are suitable for both gaming and office environments. The keyboard PCB is best suited for gaming because of the multiple action keys that can map two actions to a single key. The keypad is small enough to fit into a workplace while providing extended functionality to users because of their conservative design.

Mechanical Macro Pad Keyboard

These are traditional macro pad keyboards with a grid layout. Users can fit 23 keys with letters printed on them for identification. Although very simple in layout, these mechanical macro pad keyboards allow up to four layers. Therefore, the user can program the keyboard to have up to several sets of key bindings. They can also have additional function keys for switching between the layers.

Mechanical macro pad keyboard PCBs are compact, such that they can fit into limited space. With a detachable USB-C cable, the keyboard PCBs may be about 5 X 3.5 X 1.2 inches only, and is easy to transport.

The mechanical macro pad keyboard PCB is a one solution fits all, as it works beautifully for both gaming and office applications. Although there are no advanced features, the keyboard PCB gets the job done, and does not cost much.

Conclusion

Macro pad PCBs for keyboards are best suited for gaming, while they are fully functional for office use also. They offer users an external numbers keypad with the ability to map and remap keys and program macros. Considering its low price, the macro pad PCBs for keyboards from Rush PCB UK are a viable alternative to their more expensive rivals.

PCB Shields: Types, Materials, and Benefits

Many electronic circuits require protection from electromagnetic interference. Without protection, they can suffer unusual issues leading to degradation of performance and even failure. Electromagnetic interference may also affect sensitive electronic components. For these reasons, Rush PCB UK suggests installing PCB shields onto printed circuit boards. This technology ensures the safety and longevity of the circuit board by blocking most types of radiation. This article deals with the type of PCB shields available and their benefits.

What are PCB Shields

Shielding for electromagnetic interference typically protects sensitive circuits and components from external electromagnetic signals. It also ensures that signals generated internally do not escape and disturb neighboring circuits and components. Some electromagnetic frequencies may interrupt a safety-critical signal or disturb a communication line. Typically, such safeguards work well with sensitive components, including ICs and interconnecting wires on PCBs. The shielding feature, therefore, prevents signal degradation, disruption, data corruption, component failure, and software defects in circuits and components on PCBs.

RF PCB Shields

Effective RF shielding typically blocks radio frequencies and electromagnetic radiation by reducing the coupling between electromagnetic fields and radio waves. These shields behave as Faraday cages, impeding electrostatic fields also.

Types of PCB Shields

Many types of shielding materials are available in the market, providing practical and straightforward solutions. Although traditional methods involving good layout practices and filters do help in reducing EMI/EMC issues, but may not be effective. To improve the situation, designers typically use:

Shielding cans: Typically made of metals, these custom-made shield boxes surround noise-generating circuits, thereby restricting electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic Shielding Materials: These are elastomer materials applied to special components to limit electromagnetic radiation.

Ferrite beads, plates, and rods: Most ferrite beads, plates, and rods behave like EMI filters.

Mesh Materials: Rather than using rigid shielding cans, these flexible high-conductivity materials are useful for flexible and rigid-flex boards.

Uniform Ground Planes: These grounding planes can supply several grounding points while allowing the grounding of conductive shielding materials.

Combining shielding along with following best practices for PCB layouts can allow designs to pass EMI/EMC tests.

PCB Shield Materials

PCB shields are made from various ferromagnetic metals. The most popular are:

• Tin-Plated Phosphor Bronze
• Stainless Steel
• Nickel Silver
• Tin-Plated Copper
• Tin-Plated Cold Rolled Steel

For shielding electromagnetic waves below 100 MHz, tin-plated steel is the most recommended by Rush PCB UK. For shielding from signals higher than 200 MHz, tin-plated copper is a better choice. Tin plating on the shield material makes it easier to ground it by soldering to the PCB. Aluminum is not ferromagnetic and is not useful as a shielding material.

Benefits of PCB Shields

Using PCB shields on printed circuit boards offers many benefits. Apart from protection from EMI/EMC, these shields offer benefits like:

• Unlimited design possibilities
• Variable Footprints
• Surface mount or through hole
• Configuration can be low-profile
• Multi-cavity patterns
• Double security—cover and fence
• Input/Output holes
• Cutouts for connectors
• Ventilation holes
• Removable for easy access
• RF absorbers for extended shielding
• Protection against shock and vibration through a secure lock mechanism
• Insulation padding
• ESD protection

Read About: What are Optical Printed Circuit Boards?

Conclusion

Custom circuits can have the necessary protection with PCB shields. However, the designer must ensure that the circuit meets its requirements with the shield in place. They have the freedom to use a special material that works best for a specified frequency range. With RF shields, it is possible to block out unwanted radio frequencies and electromagnetic radiation. Various affordable materials for PCB shields are available in the market.

Professional-Grade PCB Manufacturing for Hobbyists at Rush PCB UK

Every electronic device needs at least one printed circuit board (PCB) for it to function. Without a PCB, the device may not function as intended. For any type of PCBs, hobbyists in the UK and Europe can contact professional PCB manufacturer Rush PCB UK.

Hobbyists require different types of PCBs as they tinker with and build their own electronic projects. They can use many free applications available as tools for starting with PCB design. However, fabricating a PCB requires a professional service, and for hobbyists, this must be available at a comparable price.

PCB Manufacturer for Hobbyists

Hobbyists looking for PCBs at a reasonable price tag, can avail of the professional services from Rush PCB UK. We produce high-quality boards with fast turnaround times. We offer a single-window customer service, and our simplified manufacturing process offers professional-grade fabrication. The net result is that hobbyists receive a fully commercial-grade product, but at prices that hobbyists can afford.

Rush PCB UK is an open hardware community. Therefore, whether the hobbyist is just starting to learn, or an expert with a large project, or anything in-between, our professional service will cover all their needs.

High-Quality PCB Materials

Using PCBs as a hobby does not mean using low quality materials to cut corners. We provide only high-quality materials to all our customers, irrespective of whether they are from the industry or are hobbyists.

Fast Prototyping

Even hobbyists are impatient to verify their design with a completed PCB. That requires a fast turnaround time. The longer a hobbyist has to wait for their board, the less time they will have for testing their project. We always ensure that all boards are available with fast turnaround times.

We offer 24 hour turnaround times for prototype PCBs. If the board is a complex one, the turnaround time may take up to three days for the prototype. We typically take up to 10 days for production.

Single-Window Service

As with any commercial service, we also offer our hobbyist customers the benefit of our single-window service. We help the hobbyist with all their requirements for design, prototyping, and manufacturing.

At Rush PCB UK, we pride ourselves with on-time shipping. Our delivery rates are over 99%. To us, it does not matter whether the customer is a large conglomerate or a hobbyist. We always strive for on-time shipping at all costs.

Our Capabilities

We manufacture all our boards in our facilities in the UK. We have the latest facilities of the best PCB manufacturing technology available, and that makes us the most trusted PCB source for hobbyists as well. Our capabilities are:

• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10-layer boards
• 4-mil trace/spacing
• 062” thick FR-4 PCB material
• ENIG or HASL finish
• White legend on green solder mask
• Assembly on both sides

Innovative Simplified Manufacturing Process

Most customers prefer to keep the manufacturing process as simple as possible, but innovative. Our environmentally-friendly-initiatives offer a simplified manufacturing process that results in a seamless transition to superior products. Our manufacturing process requires less water, and our manufacturing philosophy use the idea of reduce, re-use, and recycle.

Professional-Grade Fabrication Services

We manufacture all our products with a professional-grade fabrication process. Just because we are manufacturing for hobbyists, we do not skip out on any part of the manufacturing process that we give to commercial products. With our innovative processes, we increase the capabilities of any PCB design.

We always strive to make our products function optimally. To this end, we offer comprehensive testing and inspection for all our products, including those of hobbyist PCBs also. Our expertise is available to make sure the board will function the first time as planned. For this we offer:

• Free BOM checks
• Free DFM checks
• Free DFA checks

For hobbyists willing to take their projects to the next level, Rush PCB UK is always available. Our professional-grade services will endeavor to bring the PCB hobbyist projects to life.

PCB Prepregs: Crucial Dielectric Materials in PCB Design

Prepreg is the insulation layer sandwiched between a core and a copper foil or between two cores in a multi-layered PCB. The prepreg also functions as a binding material to hold the two cores together or to bind the copper foil to the core—it plays a crucial role in PCB design and manufacturing. Prepregs are special dielectric materials and the manufacturer can modify them by adding certain catalysts and additives.

For the selection of the right prepreg material, it is necessary to consider factors like mechanical and thermal compatibility, while looking at its properties to accommodate the requirements of the board.

What is Prepreg

As its name suggests, a prepreg is a woven glass fiber cloth impregnated with an agent such as a bonding resin. The manufacturer interweaves the glass fibers to form a cloth fabric. After impregnating with the bonding resin, the manufacturer lets the cloth dry partially so that it forms a B-stage material. The manufacturer follows the grain direction of the material during the prepreg preparation, as this allows modifications according to requirements. The weave of the cloth has a certain number of fill and warp counts that help to determine the amount of resin the cloth can retain.

Choosing a Prepreg

Depending on the PCB thickness and other requirements there can be various types of prepregs. For instance, prepregs are available in High Resin (HR), Medium Resin (MR), and Standard Resin (SR) formats, based on their resin content. The higher the resin content, the more expensive the prepreg will be. To measure the resin content or resin percentage, it is necessary to dissolve the resin in acid and measure the difference in weight of the PCB before and after dissolving.

Resin content is important as it decides the thickness of the laminate when pressed while fabricating the PCB. Other parameters depending on the resin content are the coefficient of thermal expansion or CTE, the dielectric constant, and the drilling and etching quality.

Prepreg Resin Flow

During PCB lamination, the fabricator applies heat and pressure. This melts the resin and it flows. The amount of flow depends on the pressure applied and the rate of application of heat. The resin only flows freely for a limited period after which it gets over. The lamination process must be completed before the resin hardens.

Therefore, the process of the resin flowing is critical to the operation of lamination, as it can significantly affect the lamination quality. The actual flow affects the properties of the inter-laminar bond, bonding to the laminate to the ED copper foil, and bonding to the inner oxide layer of the copper foil. The resin flow also affects the effectiveness of the prepreg as the bonding material.

Difference Between Core and Prepreg

Due to the similarities in the properties of core and prepreg, it is easy to confuse the two. The core also has a fiberglass cloth with epoxy impregnation. It has to meet the Flame Retardant characteristic (FR4) and has copper on both sides. The major difference between the core and prepreg is the epoxy in the core is fully cured, whereas in the prepreg, the epoxy is semi-cured. The process of lamination cures the epoxy in the prepreg.

The other difference between the two lies in the dielectric constant. While the dielectric constant is constant for the core, it varies for the prepreg before and after lamination.

Conclusion

Prepregs are essential to manufacturing multi-layered PCB boards. Rush PCB Ltd has extensive knowledge and experience in PCB fabrication using prepregs. We have mastered the science of prepregs, and we can create boards that will function to any specifications.

PCB Connections: Versatile Solutions for Interconnecting Electronics

Printed circuit boards often require interconnections between themselves and other components in the system. Whether the application is for industrial, automation, or appliance, interconnection systems require many types of compact, high-quality wire-to-board, and boar-to-board connections that must be reliable and economical. This is necessary for the large variety of packaging and interconnection requirements existing in the market.

For instance, military aircraft require backplane connectors to provide rugged connections between components of embedded computing systems. Business equipment and consumer devices often require CT or Common Termination and mini CT connections for economical wire routing for signal or power needs. In residential ovens and stoves, connections offer a reliable means of communication to and from the printed circuit board. Spring finger connections are present in mobile phones for low-voltage power and grounding. Special connections in routers and servers allow them to operate with extremely low insertion loss, low noise, and little-to-no skew. This enables flexibility of design along with a high design margin. PCB board connections, provided by connectors, allow tremendous gain of flexibility for customization of designs and pushing the bandwidth through ruggedized packages as solutions for all solutions of unique connectivity challenges.

PCB Connection Systems

Printed circuit boards house electrical components on conductive tracks on the board. Some electrical equipment contains more than one PCB and utilizes a variety of connection systems to intercommunicate.

PCB communication systems consist of connectors mounted on the PCB. They typically transfer signals or power from one board to another or transfer them to or from one PCB in a unit to another.

PCB connection systems offer an easy method for designers and manufacturers. The PCBs are not hard-wired to each other, and they can be assembled later in the production process.

PCB connection systems may consist of various types of connectors and these can have several roles to play on the board. The final application defines the size, weight, and power properties of the connectors that PCB design uses.

For instance, connectors within a mobile phone must be smaller and lighter than high-current connectors that cars typically use.

Varieties of PCB Connection Systems

A printed circuit board can have several types of connection systems mounted or processed on it. These include signal and power interconnections with a wide variety of high-speed, high-density, board-to-board, board-to-cable, or cable-to-cable connections meant for automated assembly. Applications of these PCB connection systems include eDP or embedded DisplayPort and LVDS or low-voltage differential signaling. PCB receptacles offer wire-to-board terminations, while PCB board taps offer power to the board. There are FPC or flexible printed cables suitable for situations where small centerline spacing is more suitable rather than larger wire-to-board interconnections. Some examples of PCB connection systems are:

• Wire-to-Board Connections
• SAS & MiniSAS Connections
• PCB Headers & Receptacles
• Accessories for PCB Connections
• Memory Card Connections
• Internal I/O Connections
• Card Edge Connections
• Board-to-Board Connections
• Board-In Connections
• Battery Connections and Holders
• Backplane Connections
• and many more

PCB Connection System Orientation

PCB connection systems may have multi-pin connectors typically in a rectangular layout. Board-to-board, wire-to-board, or cable-to-board connection systems typically use a mating pair.

Such board-to-board connection system layouts can provide a wide range of connector orientations, mostly in 90-degree increments:

• Mezzanine or Parallel Orientation — both mating connectors are in a vertical orientation.
• Motherboard to Daughterboard, 90-degree Orientation — One connector is horizontal, and the other is vertical.
• Edge-to-Edge, Coplanar, 180-degree — both connectors are in horizontal orientation.

Conclusion

The industry uses a wide variety of PCB connection systems or connectors with designs to meet all types of specific requirements. Some connectors can withstand vibrations and environmental shocks with a high degree of stability.

Optimizing PCB Trace Routing: Challenges and Solutions by RUSH PCB UK

Rush PCB UK fabricates all types of PCBs. We also design some boards, where it is necessary to route the traces. However, as designs grow in complexity and size, routing traces can be highly challenging. It requires judicious decisions on the part of the designer to optimize the trace width and spacing.

This is because the designer may have to address each net with its unique routing characteristics for it to function as intended. Additionally, nets may require routing in different layers apart from the specific areas that the designer can use. This calls for different PCB trace widths and spacing that the designer must manage.

Challenges in Routing

For simple circuit boards, routing traces is typically a straightforward procedure, with the designer assigning all traces with a default width and spacing. This works fine, except for power and ground connections that may require wider tracks or a copper area. However, with the growing complexity of circuit boards, the requirements for trace width and spacing become more complicated. For instance, a circuit board may have some or all of the following:

• Specified widths and spacing for controlled impedance routing.
• Wider spacing of sensitive high-speed traces to prevent cross-talk.
• Wider traces but close spacing for power and ground connections.
• Multiple trace widths to handle different currents in power supplies.
• Wider spacing between analog and digital traces to isolate them from each other.

In addition, the functionality of a circuit may dictate the various widths and spacing requirements. This requirement may also come from the location of the traces. For instance:

• Traces passing in between closely spaced pins of a connector may require using a smaller width.
• Escape routing from fine-pitch components like small outline packages or quad-flat packages may need trace width reduction.
• Traces routing in and around pins and vias of ball grid arrays may require shrinking widths.
• Vias may also dictate the width and spacing of traces. Apart from regular vias, a designer may also use microvias for high density interconnect designs that require thinner traces and spacing.

Signal Integrity in Digital Circuits

Although most trace routing for digital circuits is adequate with default trace widths and spacing, some high-speed signals may require specific trace widths and spacing to meet controlled impedance. Usually, the board layer stacks up design factors in the calculations for specific trace widths. To avoid cross-talk in high-speed but sensitive traces, designers may have to increase the spacing.

Analog Circuits

Analog circuits also require varying trace width and spacing depending on the purpose of the circuitry. Some constricted areas may require thin traces closely spaced, but the designer must also take care that PCB fabrication will not compromise the connections.

Ground and Power Routing

Depending on the current flow in the track, traces for routing ground and power may need to be wider. Wider tracks have lower resistance that allows them to remain cool while passing high currents. Tracks handling ground and power in the inner layers may need to be wider to enable them to disperse heat more effectively, as compared to traces on the top and bottom surfaces of the board, where they are exposed to air.

Wider traces also help to reduce inductance, thereby improving the noise sensitivity of the board. High voltage operation may require more spacing between traces to prevent arcing between them.

Ease of Fabrication

It is easier to fabricate wider traces. As making the traces requires chemical etching, it is more effective for wider traces and larger separation. Making the trace as wide as possible and keeping them far apart is advantageous for PCB fabrication. However, this may not always be possible, considering the circuit functionality requirements.

Circuit Board Assembly

Assembling components on very wide traces may be troublesome, as the extra width may conduct heat away from the joint very quickly, resulting in a dry solder joint. During reflow, the presence of a large ground or power track may result in uneven heating, leading to several poor solder joints, tombstoning, and other effects that call for manual touch-up activities.

Conclusion

Designers need complete control over rules defining trace routing, their widths, and spacing. Most PCB CAD Design software packages allow defining multiple widths and spacing for traces, along with the necessary simulation for inductance and signal integrity verifications.

Flux Cleaning in PCB Assembly: Importance and Methods

Rush PCB UK recommends the use of flux when soldering components on printed circuit boards. Flux is a synthetic agent capable of removing adulterants from metal surfaces, making them ready for proper wetting by molten solder. The electronic industry commonly uses solder flux for PCB assembly.

Flux has additional functions as well. It melts and covers the metal surfaces during the soldering process, thereby preventing them from being oxidized by air coming into contact with them. Flux also removes adulterants that may be present on the metal surfaces, enhancing their wetting capabilities. However, although flux has several good attributes, the residue it leaves on the PCB surface is a matter of concern.

The residue that flux leaves on the board after completion of soldering looks like white or yellowish powder sticking on the PCB. Unless the assembler cleans the residue properly, it can cause long-term damage to the assembly such as reducing the surface resistivity, leading to current leakage and unpleasant results. Ignoring the flux residue can result in unexpected results:

• A weak ion flow path between copper traces and pads under different conditions.
• The presence of a trace amount of flux is good enough for creating the leakage paths.

The above issues has resulted in solder manufacturers offering no-clean solder that leaves little or no residue.

Why is Flux Necessary?

Solder is the process of anchoring metallic components on a printed circuit board. Molten solder wets the copper pad and the metal lead of the component to form a metallurgical connection. As the solder cools, it solidifies and also anchors the component to its pads. This process requires the metal surface of the board to be as clean as possible. Cleaning the surfaces prior to soldering prepares them for a perfect bonding with solder.

Solder manufacturers offer flux as a synthetic cleaning agent useful during and after the soldering process. Flux ensures the surfaces are ready for soldering by cleaning and removing any pollutant like oil and grease from them. It also establishes a film over the metal surfaces, preventing them from coming into contact with air, as pollutants present in air can lead to oxide formation on the metal surfaces. It is difficult to solder metallic surfaces when there is oxide on them.

Flux also serves as a protection against deoxidizing the metal surfaces undergoing soldering. It contains chemicals and additives that not only hamper oxidization, but also aids the soldering process. Flux is available in various forms like paste, liquid, or solid form depending on its usage.

Types of Flux

The electronic industry uses three types of flux, depending on the application:

Selective Soldering — This is liquid flux. The operator must spritz it on a select portion of the PCB. They do this by a specific process of jet drizzle.

Wave Soldering — This is also liquid flux. The operator must spritz it on the entire board during the preheating stage before the PCB assembly goes for the final soldering. The hot flux removes pollutants and oxidized layers that could hinder the soldering process.

Reflow Soldering — This is a paste type of flux mixed with solder paste. The operator applies the paste through a stencil. The process controls the amount of solder paste deposit. It deposits a small amount of paste on the solder pad of the board. This paste holds the component in place until the heat of the oven melts the solder paste and anchors the component to the board. Prior to the solder melting, the flux cleans the surfaces while also covering the metal surfaces, preventing them from oxidization.

Why is it Necessary to Clean Flux

Flux residue is often present on the soldered elements, especially on the PCB surface. This could cause issues in the long run. Therefore, cleaning the flux residue is an important part of the PCB assembly process. Major benefits of cleaning the flux residue are:

Preventing Corrosion of PCB and Components

The flux residue after soldering is acidic and, therefore, hygroscopic. Allowing it to remain on the PCB surface for a long duration may attract water from the surrounding air, leading to corrosion of the metal surfaces. Cleaning the flux residue prevents this corrosion.

Enhancing the Appearance of the PCB

Presence of flux residue on the PCB not only makes it look unattractive, it can also lead to the misconception of an ineffective quality control procedure. Customers might find the PCB assembly repulsive, and this can also lead to a reduction in business volumes.

Improving the Integrity of the Manufacturer

As a vital aspect of business, integrity helps sustain competitiveness. PCB manufacturers sustain their competitiveness by systematically providing good values and earning customer satisfaction in return. By presenting a clean PCB bereft of flux residue, PCB manufacturers make their products more dependable and durable. This maintains relevance, while upholding the manufacturer’s integrity.

How to Clean Flux Residue From PCBs

Using Acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol — Acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol dissolves flux residue readily. The technique is to use a brush dipped in the liquid and gently remove the flux residue from the board. The operator must be careful and apply gentle strokes with the brush to avoid damaging soldered joints. After removing the flux residue, the operator must wipe the excess liquid using a parched cloth, and allow the board to dry up.

Using Industrial Cleaning Agents — Solder manufacturers offer various types of cleaning agents, especially suited to remove flux residue left by the solder paste they make.

Application of these chemical agents may require spraying or brushing it on the board. In some cases, it may also require immersing the PCB assembly in the cleaning solution.

As the cleaning liquid dissolves the flux residue, the operator can wipe the excess with a soft cloth, and allow the board to dry.

Using No-Clean Flux

Manufacturers also offer no-clean flux that produces very low amounts of flux residue deposits on the PCB surface. It is a combination of some inorganic agents blended with organic resins. The operator must use it with the solvent compositions that the manufacturer specifies, to achieve the best results. With proper use, it is not necessary to clean the quantity of flux residue that remains on the board, and the operator may safely ignore it.

Conclusion

Cleaning the flux residue is a tactical approach that PCB manufacturers use to maintain their competitiveness in the industry. Rush PCB UK recommends cleaning flux residue for sustaining the competitive advantage, as it improves the reliability and aesthetics of the PCB