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Choosing which PCB manufacturer to partner with on production is the first step to realizing an electronic device. There are many aspects to weigh for manufacturing; most often, cost will be top-of-mind. However, manufacturing in the USA has significant benefits compared to overseas manufacturing: quality/build repeatability is higher, specific certifications (e.g., ITAR) are US exclusive…

Rigid-flex PCB applications are vast due to the numerous advantages of replacing bulky wire harnesses with flexible printed circuits.

Going from a design to a finished board is a complex process. Even with the sophistication of modern simulation tools, actual and expected performance can differ sharply. It’s essential not only for a board’s contents (i.e., components and circuitry) but also for its spatial orientation and material properties. While designers could safely omit the contributions…

Over the past decades, the demand for faster computing and higher data throughput has increased signal speeds by magnitudes. Unfortunately, faster speeds reveal performance issues with design, materials, and manufacturing that are trivial at relatively slower speeds. High-frequency PCB manufacturers can use several methods to navigate these issues while optimizing cost and performance. At VSE,…

Rigidity is not always a bad thing in the design world, but it can be limiting. Historically, rigid PCBs provided the requisite functionality for a wide range of electronic applications, but form always follows function. Flexible printed circuits can accommodate designs and operate where simpler rigid PCBs cannot. A flex circuit board assembly overlaps with…

Change is expected in electronics development, as new designs incorporate fresh ideas and necessary enhancements over previous products. However, continual modifications to correct problems can slow down, delay production, and cause development costs to escalate rapidly. For the most efficient design development, it is essential to streamline the approval process for engineering change orders (ECOs)…