Multiple Markets Merge for PCBs at H&T Global
August 19, 2016 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
DiGiovanni: Insulated metal substrate are your metal circuit boards, and there are several acronyms for it, like I stated above. Now, IMS happens to be a patented acronym from a North American manufacturer of a specific brand. They went off and patented the phrase IMS. We work with all the top brands, you'll also hear IMPCB, insulated metal printed circuit board. Aluminum backed. A very common acronym is metal core, although it's actually inappropriately used.
Goldman: It's incorrect. It's not really a core, it's just on the back.
DiGiovanni: That's right. However, it is possible to make a metal core part.
Goldman: You could laminate to both sides of it.
DiGiovanni: Yes.
Goldman: Then it seems like the heat wouldn't come out so easily.
DiGiovanni: Again, that’s depending on the application. Years ago I did a blinking light for an F-35 wing tip. A completely sealed unit, nowhere for the heat to go. The board had to be completely self-sustained and heat-dissipating by itself. There was nowhere to put the heat except internally so we created acopper core circuit board. What it did is it pulled the heat away from the components into the center of the board using a 0.060 copper core, and the copper just melted the heat away. A very interesting design. Not completely uncommon, but very small applications now due to cost.
Goldman: I can imagine with a copper core. Nice.
Goldman: Anything else you’d like to talk about?
DiGiovanni: Are you a hockey fan?
Goldman: You asked me that because I live in the Pittsburgh area. I'm not really a hockey fan but I did pay attention and know the Penguins won the Stanley Cup! We beat the San Jose Sharks, but my colleagues from California are not really hockey fans either. There was a cute comic in the Post-Gazette but it was lost on them, darn it.
DiGiovanni: All right, good enough.
Goldman: Well, Rob, thank you very much for your time.
DiGiovanni: You're very welcome.
Page 2 of 2Suggested Items
The Chemical Connection: Reducing Etch System Water Usage, Part 2
05/02/2024 | Don Ball -- Column: The Chemical ConnectionIn my last column, I reviewed some relatively simple ways to reduce water usage in existing etch systems: cutting down cooling coil water flow, adding chillers to replace plant water for cooling, lowering flow rate nozzles for rinses, etc. This month, I’ll continue with more ways to control water usage in your etcher. Most of these are not easily retrofittable to existing equipment but should be given serious consideration when new equipment is contemplated. With the right combination of add-ons, it is possible to bring the amount of water used in an etch system to almost zero.
Designer’s Notebook: What Designers Need to Know About Manufacturing, Part 2
04/24/2024 | Vern Solberg -- Column: Designer's NotebookThe printed circuit board (PCB) is the primary base element for providing the interconnect platform for mounting and electrically joining electronic components. When assessing PCB design complexity, first consider the component area and board area ratio. If the surface area for the component interface is restricted, it may justify adopting multilayer or multilayer sequential buildup (SBU) PCB fabrication to enable a more efficient sub-surface circuit interconnect.
Insulectro’s 'Storekeepers' Extend Their Welcome to Technology Village at IPC APEX EXPO
04/03/2024 | InsulectroInsulectro, the largest distributor of materials for use in the manufacture of PCBs and printed electronics, welcomes attendees to its TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE during this year’s IPC APEX EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center, April 9-11, 2024.
ENNOVI Introduces a New Flexible Circuit Production Process for Low Voltage Connectivity in EV Battery Cell Contacting Systems
04/03/2024 | PRNewswireENNOVI, a mobility electrification solutions partner, introduces a more advanced and sustainable way of producing flexible circuits for low voltage signals in electric vehicle (EV) battery cell contacting systems.
Heavy Copper PCBs: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Fabrication, Part 1
04/01/2024 | Yash Sutariya, Saturn Electronics ServicesThey call me Sparky. This is due to my talent for getting shocked by a variety of voltages and because I cannot seem to keep my hands out of power control cabinets. While I do not have the time to throw the knife switch to the off position, that doesn’t stop me from sticking screwdrivers into the fuse boxes. In all honesty, I’m lucky to be alive. Fortunately, I also have a talent for building high-voltage heavy copper circuit boards. Since this is where I spend most of my time, I can guide you through some potential design for manufacturability (DFM) hazards you may encounter with heavy copper design.