PCB Knowledge

Guide for KiCad users: Export complete PCB designs to Elecrow for prototyping. Covers vital pre-export checks (DRC, 3D), generating Gerber/drill files, and configuring Elecrow's order parameters (layers, surface finish). Stresses online preview and post-receipt inspection, ensuring your digital design successfully transforms into a physical PCB. Essential for manufacturing.

Online dual-sided PCBA AOI leverages advanced optical imaging and AI algorithms for efficient defect detection in modern PCB assembly. It enhances quality, improves throughput, and enables data-driven process control by inspecting both sides of a PCB. Crucial for high-density designs, AOI technology is evolving with 3D capabilities and greater AI integration.

Shield sensitive PCBAs from environmental hazards like humidity, dust, and salt with conformal coating, a vital process enhancing electronic reliability. It involves meticulous cleaning, masking, and precise application methods—manual or automated. Professional PCB assembly services, like Elecrow's full-chain solutions including expert coating, ensure a high-quality, uniform protective layer for lasting performance.

Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) is the foundation of modern electronic products. Before entering mass production, creating a PCBA prototype is a critical step that helps validate your design, test real-world performance, and minimize costly mistakes. Whether you're a startup building a proof of concept or an engineer refining a new product, PCBA prototyping sets the stage for successful manufacturing.

If you checked out our What is a Printed Circuit Board? a couple of weeks ago, you already know what a printed circuit board is and what it does. Now, let’s take the next step and look at how a plain PCB becomes a working electronic unit—also known as a PCBA. In this post, we’ll explain what a PCBA is, why it’s important, and where you’ll find it in everyday electronics.

Learn to generate essential PCB manufacturing files like Gerbers and drill data using EDA software. This guide emphasizes the critical Design Rule Check (DRC) process for ensuring manufacturability and avoiding costly errors. It concludes with file verification and selecting a suitable PCB fabricator to bring your electronic designs to life successfully.

Master the PCB trade-off! This guide helps you balance speed, cost, and quality when placing your PCB order. Discover strategies for rapid PCB prototypes, cost-effective custom PCBs, and selecting a quality PCB manufacturer. Make informed decisions for optimal results on every project.

This blog compares KiCad and Altium Designer, two leading PCB design tools. KiCad is free, open-source, and ideal for beginners, educators, and budget-conscious users. Altium offers advanced features, collaboration tools, and professional-grade capabilities suited for complex, high-speed designs. The choice depends on your project's complexity, team needs, and budget.

Intrigued by what makes electronics tick? Go behind the scenes of PCB assembly! Discover the fascinating, precise process – from solder paste printing and robotic component placement to reflow soldering and rigorous testing. This hidden artistry brings complex devices, including innovative LoRa technology for the IoT, from digital design into functioning reality.

In today’s tech-driven world, nearly every device you use—from your smartphone and TV to your washing machine and electric toothbrush—relies on a silent, essential component: the Printed Circuit Board, or PCB. For beginners, sourcing professionals, or anyone curious about electronics, understanding PCBs is a great first step toward understanding how modern technology functions.