Valley Services Electronics

Silicon Valley’s Premier Electronic and PCB Assembly Blog

Why We Use Back Drilling in PCBs

I’m extremely prone to moments of forgetfulness. Whether I’m working at the house or out on backcountry trails, it’s very easy for my head to get lost in the literal or figurative clouds. Regardless if I’ve set my phone (or my keys, or my wallet) somewhere I can’t remember or I’ve wandered past a junction onto trails unknown, I’ve learned to accept and adapt: I’ve mastered the art of retracing my steps.

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Circuit Board Design: Programming The Power of the Sun

Several summers ago, I took up jogging to break up the monotony of my current cardio exercises. I love cycling, but jogging offered something more personal: an ability to explore the outdoors leisurely, without any tool or gear beyond clothing. I quickly discovered a favorite route and began to relish the feeling of the sun on my skin and breeze through my hair. Unfortunately, as I continued my daily routine, I failed to account for the intensifying weather of the season and was left with a nasty sunburn.

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3D Printing PCB Components for Manufacturing

When I’m packing for vacations, I tend to overpack. Especially when camping, I like to make sure I have any tool I could need. Unfortunately, I built up my gear by purchasing items that serve one purpose instead of a multi-use functionality. While I have the tools to perform the tasks I need, my bags can get heavy with so many single-use tools. Lately, I’ve learned to lighten my load with multi-use tools.

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PCB Design Software Comparison: The Right Tool for the Right Board

A competitive PCB software market benefits end-users, but getting started picking software may be daunting. As with most things in the consumer world, users are saturated with choice. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it deters beginners or startup companies looking to prepare their designs for manufacturing. Professional PCB software licenses are not cheap. These design suites are packed with more tools and functions than even the most expert designer will use, along with many features that appeal to a wide range of users.

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Exploring the PCB Prototype Design Process

When it comes to cooking and baking, one often hears the delineation: the former is an art, while the latter is a science. If that’s true, consider me a jazz musician in the kitchen – I work from mental fragments of recipes, adjusting the quantity based on what’s on hand and substituting items with impunity. This strategy allows for significant tinkering with cooking time, spices, and ingredients, allowing me to construct a dish as I see fit and as tastes evolve.

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