Tag Archives: pcb fabrication and assembly in USA

Printed Circuit Boards

What is a PCB Silkscreen on Printed Circuit Boards?

If you grew up taking apart radios, computers, or video game consoles just to see how they worked, you’ve likely studied a printed circuit board (PCB) up close. Among the intricate metallic traces and soldered components, you might have noticed small white letters, numbers, and symbols printed across the board’s surface. These markings aren’t random—they’re part of a critical layer called the PCB silkscreen.

Understanding the PCB Silkscreen Layer

The PCB silkscreen is a printed layer that provides human-readable information on a circuit board. Typically created with special inks, the silkscreen identifies important features such as:

  • Component reference designators (like R1, C5, U2)

  • Test points

  • Warning symbols

  • Company logos

  • Part numbers and date codes

  • Polarity indicators for diodes, LEDs, and capacitors

Most PCB silkscreens are printed in white ink because it contrasts clearly with the traditional green solder mask. However, silkscreen inks can also be black, red, blue, or yellow, depending on the board’s color scheme or specific customer requests.

Why Is the Silkscreen Important?

The silkscreen acts as a visual guide for anyone who assembles, repairs, or tests the PCB. It tells workers how components should be placed and identifies key features to assist in troubleshooting and maintenance. Without a clear silkscreen, identifying the purpose or placement of components could quickly become confusing, leading to costly mistakes or longer assembly times.

Additionally, the silkscreen enhances safety by marking high-voltage areas or other hazards clearly.

How Silkscreens Are Applied

Printed Circuit Board FabricationAdding the silkscreen is typically the final step in PCB fabrication, done while the boards are still panelized. The ink used must be carefully chosen to withstand the chemicals and heat involved in soldering and assembly. Once printed, the board moves to the final finishing or routing phase.

There are several methods for applying a silkscreen:

  • Manual Screen Printing: Traditional, cost-effective for low-volume runs

  • Liquid Photo Imaging (LPI): Offers higher precision for dense, complex boards

  • Direct Legend Printing (DLP): Uses inkjet printers for extremely accurate and fast printing

Each method is selected based on the PCB’s design complexity, production volume, and budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Silkscreen Design

Even experienced PCB designers can make mistakes when preparing the silkscreen layer. Some key things to watch out for:

  • Avoid printing over pads: Silkscreen ink can interfere with soldering and create defects.

  • Keep text legible: Fonts should be large enough to read easily, even after solder mask application.

  • Allow for registration tolerance: Slight shifts during manufacturing mean text and symbols should have enough spacing to stay clear and readable.

A well-designed silkscreen makes the PCB easier to work with and improves overall product quality.

Turnkey Yun IndustrialTrust ACME PCB for Quality PCB Manufacturing

At ACME PCB, we take pride in handling every detail of your PCB project—including the silkscreen layer. Our team ensures that every marking is clear, correct, and perfectly aligned, giving you boards that are not only functional but also easier to assemble, maintain, and troubleshoot.

Need a reliable PCB manufacturer that gets the details right? Contact ACME PCB today to get started!

How to Choose the Right Printed Circuit Board for Your Application

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are at the heart of nearly every electronic device we use today—from smartphones and medical monitors to aerospace controls and industrial machines. Choosing the right PCB for your specific application isn’t just about picking the cheapest option—it’s about ensuring your product functions reliably, efficiently, and safely.

So how do you know which type of PCB is right for your needs? Let’s walk through the key factors to consider when selecting a PCB during the PCB Fabrication process.

Printed Circuit Board Fabrication1. Understand Your Application Requirements

Start by clearly identifying the role the PCB will play in your device. Ask yourself:

  • Will the board be used in a high-temperature environment?
  • Does it need to be flexible or rigid?
  • Will it handle high frequencies or power loads?
  • Are there space constraints or weight limits?

Understanding the physical and functional demands of your application will help guide your PCB design, material choices, and layout.

2. Choose the Right Type of PCB

There are several types of Printed Circuit Boards, each serving different purposes:

  • Single-sided PCBs – Great for simple, low-cost electronics like calculators and toys.
  • Double-sided PCBs – Common in consumer electronics where moderate complexity is needed.
  • Multi-layer PCBs – Ideal for high-performance, compact designs like smartphones, servers, and aerospace tech.
  • Rigid PCBs – Best for durable, permanent structures.
  • Flexible PCBs – Perfect for wearables, medical devices, or curved applications.
  • Rigid-Flex PCBs – Used in high-performance electronics that require both flexibility and strength.

The right type depends on both your performance needs and your product’s design limitations.

3. Select the Proper Materials

In PCB Fabrication, the choice of materials affects durability, conductivity, heat resistance, and cost. Common materials include:

  • FR-4 – A widely used fiberglass-reinforced epoxy laminate; affordable and versatile.
  • Polyimide – Offers better flexibility and heat resistance, great for aerospace and military uses.
  • Ceramic – Provides high thermal conductivity and is used in high-frequency or high-power applications.

Choosing the right substrate and copper thickness is crucial to match your performance and environmental needs.

4. Consider Signal Integrity and Thermal Management

For applications involving high-speed signals or high power, signal integrity and heat dissipation become critical. Your PCB layout, trace widths, spacing, and use of thermal vias must be optimized to prevent overheating and maintain performance.

This is especially true for industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical—where failure isn’t an option.

5. Work with an Experienced Manufacturer

Your PCB is only as good as the partner who fabricates and assembles it. At BoardAssembly.com, we specialize in high-quality PCB Fabrication tailored to your application’s unique needs. Whether you’re working on a prototype or full production run, we deliver precision, reliability, and expert support throughout the process.

Electronic circuit boardChoosing the right Printed Circuit Board isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. By understanding your application, selecting the right materials, and working with a trusted manufacturer, you’ll set your project up for long-term success.

Ready to get started? Visit our PCB Fabrication page to learn more about our capabilities or contact us to discuss your project.

Cable Harness Assembly

Our Cable and Wire Harness Assembly Services

Cable Harnesses (Wire harness, cable assembly, wiring assembly) is an assembly of electrical cables or wires which transmit signals or electrical power. Cable harnesses are different from wire harnesses and it is important to understand the difference. A wire is a single conductor, while cables are two or more wires that are insulated being wrapped in a larger jacket. These two technologies demand their own set of unique tools, fixtures, and machinery to help reduce production costs. Knowing exactly what type of product being used is crucial to perfectly create your designs.

·         Wire harnesses generally do not need much to work with and is generally an inexpensive and cost-efficient way for many people to solve their electrical needs. With a single machine, one can increase their production capabilities because of the relative simplicity of wires in general.

·         Cable harnesses are more complex in nature and may require different machinery and tools to be consistent with production. Creating slits and windows in cables demand specialized equipment to handle the various conductors within the insulation

Both technologies are held to the standards like IPC WHMA-A-620 and should be evaluated by their designated class level.

Located in Carson, California, ACME PCB Assembly utilizes top of the line technology from Schleuniger to perfectly cut, strip, and process any wire or cable you need. After 25 plus years in the business, ACME PCB Assembly has the experience to be your contract manufacturer for cable & wire harness projects. As an IPC-A-610 certified assembler with a certified trainer in house, you can be rest assured the cables and wires that come out of ACME will exceed the standards.

You can rely on ACME PCB Assembly for timely, cost-effective service.

Contact Us for more information. 

 

What Does It Mean to Be a Full-Service PCB Assembly Provider?

If you are in need of fully assembled printed circuit boards (PCBs) for your products, but you don’t know where to start, this article will guide you in the right direction. If  you don’t have any printed circuit boards or any of the parts, and you certainly don’t want to burden your limited staff with the task of putting all those PCBs together, you will need a full-service PCB assembly provider.

Printed Circuit Board FabricationACME PCB Assembly is an ISO 9001:2015 certified EMS. We make sure you get best price with highest quality, on time delivery schedule. All PCBs are meet the high standards established by the IPC 600. Since ACME PCB Assembly is a IPC certified trainer for IPC A-610, we know how important the quality of bare board is, and we know what can drive the PCB Assembly labor higher.

Being a full-service PCB assembly provider means that we handle every aspect of the project. You just give us your specs, and we’ll do everything else, including:

At Acme PCB Assembly, we have the experience, the vendor relationships, and the well-trained staff of fulfill your PCB order. The great thing about full-service PCB assembly is that you don’t have to worry about a thing. You don’t have to find the right parts vendors or ship materials to us. We handle everything.

We closely match new incoming inquiries to board house equipment and capabilities, ensuring you receive only those inquiries that you are interested in Acme Circuit board assembly provide PCB fabrication service in the development and manufacturing of quality single, double sided and Multi-Layers printed circuit boards for the computer, medical, transportation, communication, aircraft, aerospace and related industries.

Of course, if you already have printed circuit boards on hand and the PCB components you need, then you can also opt for partial service.

Contact us today to learn about all of our service options, including our add-on services.

 

PCB Fabrication and Assembly

Understanding the PCB Manufacturing Process: From Design to Production

PCB Fabrication near mePrinted Circuit Boards (PCBs) are the backbone of modern electronics, found in everything from smartphones to medical devices.

At Board Assembly, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive PCB manufacturing process, which ensures top-quality products for a wide range of industries. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the PCB manufacturing process, from initial design to the final product.

1. Design and Layout

The PCB manufacturing journey begins with the design phase. Engineers use specialized software to create a detailed layout of the circuit. This design includes the placement of components, electrical connections, and layer configuration. Ensuring a robust design is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire manufacturing process.

Key Steps in Design:

  • Schematic Capture: Creating a schematic diagram to represent the circuit.
  • Layout Design: Using CAD software to design the PCB layout.
  • Design Rule Check (DRC): Ensuring the design meets manufacturing specifications.

For more details on our design capabilities, visit our PCB Design Services.

2. Prototyping

Once the design is finalized, a prototype is created. Prototyping is essential to test the design for functionality and performance before mass production. At Board Assembly, we utilize advanced prototyping techniques to ensure quick and accurate results.

Prototyping Steps:

  • Material Selection: Choosing the appropriate materials for the PCB.
  • Initial Fabrication: Creating a small batch of PCBs for testing.
  • Testing and Validation: Conducting thorough tests to verify the design.

Explore our Prototyping Services to learn how we can assist in bringing your designs to life.

3. Material Procurement

The next phase involves procuring the necessary materials. This includes the substrate, copper cladding, and various components like resistors, capacitors, and ICs. Quality materials are vital for the reliability and longevity of the PCB.

Considerations in Material Procurement:

  • Component Quality: Sourcing high-quality components from reputable suppliers.
  • Supply Chain Management: Ensuring timely delivery of materials.
  • Cost Management: Balancing quality with cost-effectiveness.

Find out more about our Material Procurement Process.

4. PCB Fabrication

PCB fabrication is where the actual manufacturing begins. This process involves several steps to transform the design into a physical PCB.

Fabrication Steps:

  • Etching: Removing excess copper to create the circuit pattern.
  • Lamination: Stacking and bonding multiple layers of the PCB.
  • Drilling: Creating holes for component leads and vias.
  • Plating: Adding a layer of conductive material to the drilled holes.

Learn about our PCB Fabrication Techniques for a detailed overview.

5. Assembly

After fabrication, the PCB moves to the assembly phase. This is where components are placed and soldered onto the board.

Assembly Methods:

Discover our PCB Assembly Services to see how we ensure precision and reliability.

6. Testing and Quality Control

Quality control is a critical step to ensure the final product meets all specifications and performance criteria. At Board Assembly, we perform rigorous testing and inspection.

Testing Techniques:

  • Automated Optical Inspection (AOI): Using cameras to inspect the PCB.
  • X-Ray Inspection: Checking for hidden defects.
  • Functional Testing: Ensuring the PCB performs as intended.

Visit our Quality Control Process page to learn more about our commitment to excellence.

7. Final Product and Delivery

Once the PCBs pass all tests, they are ready for delivery. We ensure that each board is packaged securely and delivered on time to our clients.

Delivery Considerations:

Learn more about our Delivery and Support Services.

The PCB manufacturing process is complex and requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage. At Board Assembly, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality PCBs that meet your specific requirements. Whether you need design assistance, prototyping, or full-scale production, we have the expertise and technology to bring your projects to life.

For more information on our services, contact us and let us help you with your next PCB project.