Fineline Global Single Sided PCBs Overview
Single Sided PCBs are the least complicated type of PCB. They are made of a single conductive layer of copper above the substrate.
The electronic components are then soldered or mounted on to one side of the board and the etched circuit can be seen on the other side of the board. This type of PCB has been around for many years and is still the most widely used compared to double sided boards and multilayer boards, if considered by volume alone. Single layer boards are the most cost-effective platform in the industry because they are easily designed and quickly manufactured. In PCB manufacturing, a single sided PCB is made using one layer of insulating dielectric, laminated with copper. Soldermask is usually applied on top of the copper to insulate from the outside world.
Fineline Global produces prototype, mid and high volume single sided PCBs, with a copper thickness ranging from 1 to 20 ounces. Operating temperatures range from 130 C to 230 C, depending on base material type. Single sided boards are available with many surface finishes including Organic Surface Protectant (OSP), Immersion Silver, Immersion Tin, Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) and either leaded or lead-free Hot Air Solder Level (HASL).
Fineline Global Double Sided PCB Overview
Double sided printed circuit boards (PCBs) are found in all types of electronic applications. As the name implies, a double sided PCB has copper layer laminated onto the top and bottom layers of an insulating material, most commonly FR4, usually with a solder mask applied to both layers. Plated Through Holes (PTHs) connect features on both sides of the PCB to one another. This type of PCB allows for higher technology applications than single layer boards, but less circuit complexity or density than a multilayer PCB, enabling the most cost effective PCB manufacturing solution.
Advantages of a double sided PCB over single sided PCB:
More space for electronic components
Increased circuit density and complexity
More complex designs can be adopted, potentially allowing different single-sided designs to be incorporated into one double-sided design.
Keeping things simple and basic will yield the most cost effective solution.
Fineline Global produces prototype, mid and high-volume double sided PCBs, with a copper foil thickness ranging from 1 to 20 ounces. Operating temperatures range from 130 C to 230 C, depending on base material type. Double sided PCBs are available with many surface finishes including Organic Surface Protectant (OSP), Immersion Silver, Immersion Tin, Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) and either leaded or lead-free Hot Air Solder Level (HASL).
Fineline Global Multilayer PCB Overview
A multilayer PCB will, by definition, have 3 or more conductive copper layers, each separated from the others using either fully cured core material, or partially cured prepreg material. A multilayer PCB is more complex and dense than either single sided or double sided PCBs and can be used for higher technology applications. Using alternate core and prepreg materials, the required multilayer stack is created and copper foils used to form what will become the top and bottom layers of the PCB. The application of heat and pressure in the bonding press fully cures the prepreg material to create the finished multilayer. PTHs take connections from layer to layer in the same manner as a double sided PCB.
Advantages of a multilayer PCB over both single sided and double sided include:
- Increased circuit density and complexity
- More complex designs can be adopted, potentially allowing different single sided and/or double sided designs to be incorporated into one multilayer design
- Reduction in size due to extra routing space from additional layers
- Improved distribution of power, better ground shielding and good return paths for signals
- Segregation of critical design aspects e.g. digital and analogue or high speed/high frequency.
- Better EMC compliance from use of ground or power plane layers
This is an example.
Every application is different so please contact our experts to discuss your requirements, in full.
