To put it simply, a blank PCB board is an empty circuit board free from any contacts and devoid of pieces used and installed to create an actual circuit board or PCB. A blank PCB board has many compositions; however, the most prominent and most commonly used are coated with copper or those widely known as copper-clad circuit boards. With the copper coating, the flow of electricity is more efficient and accurate when all contacts and components have been established.
The standard blank circuit boards sold in the market usually come in standard sizes; however, other sizes are available for various purposes and size needs.
Nevertheless, the dimensions of the blank circuit board can always be reduced to the user’s preferred size and design or layout. In addition, the standard color for blank circuit boards is brown.
However, it can also come in any color preferred by buyers; nevertheless, the color variations do not have a massive effect on effectiveness.
What is a Blank Printed Board?
Think of a blank printed board as the backbone or electrical foundation of a printed circuit board.
Before a PCB becomes a functional circuit board, it is usually a blank piece. A blank printed board has no components on it.
PCB blanks are typically topped with copper to give the board near-perfect electrical conductivity.
However, the inclusion of copper on a PCB blank is not guaranteed every time.
Before laying the tracks or holes, the blank printed board is an insulated laminate with electrically conductive copper foil.
What is it used for
All PCB designs and setups start on a blank circuit board. It is the primary and most fundamental part of a circuit board.
While it provides a station where the components are secured, it also ensures that each member follows its designated locations depending on a given design.
With adequately secured features, efficient and proper current flow is achieved, thus eliminating issues such as overheating, electromagnetic issues, starved thermals, and others.
A blank circuit board is always essential for designing and making any circuit board. This enables the proper flow of current through the design and makes the system function properly.
How to use a blank PCB board
To use a circuit board to make PCBs, the user usually prints the layout or design over the board. The plan would come with symbols as to which component should go to a specific part of the board.
As soon as the final design has been printed on the panel, the holes are then cut according to the specified locations and dimensions.
Blank PCB Board—Composition
Although most blank circuit boards are made from copper or termed as ‘copper-clad, it doesn’t mean that they are entirely made from copper, and their interior is only made of copper alone.
Using copper as a coating for the board makes it more resistant to heating than other conductors.
It is added to other materials, such as silicon, to make the blank circuit board sturdier and resistant to rust.
With its high endurance to heat, the board will have lesser chances of bending or curling whenever a considerable heat is an amount or overheating occurs within the components.
Look For These Types of Blank Printed Circuit Boards
Common Applications of Blank PCBs
printed circuit board
PCB are common across virtually every industry using electronics. From small consumer household goods such as vacuum cleaners to industrial-level machines such as communication satellites and MRI machines.
These are some detailed common applications of black PCBs.
Running Tests
Etching is a final process during PCB production. Therefore, skilled manufacturers and engineers will use blank PCBs to perform functionality tests before etching. It ensures there are fewer or no faulty PCBs in the final batch.
Creating Prototypes
While blank PCBs are good for tests, they can also be a valuable resource in creating prototypes. They enable you to make different variations of a product to see the best design strategy for it.
Teaching and Instruction
Blank PCBs make a solid instruction manual for anyone learning about electronic design and circuit board function. Since they have no components for a start, they are used every day to show how to build PCBs from scratch.
Custom Designing New PCBs
Blank PCBs are good backgrounds for creating circuit boards that only fit specific components to create custom products. The manufacturer can design hyper specific designs only fit for one purpose. Furthermore, the custom blank PCB can be a reference point if the manufacturer decides to do bulk orders.
PCB Repair
If a blank PCB lets you design and customize PCBs in mass production, it would be the perfect board to repair or rework faulty PCBs in an assembly. Since they’ll have a common design, you can easily replace a damaged PCB and use a blank one to create a new one with the same design.
Making A Blank PCB Board
automated manufacturing soldering and assembly pcb board
There’s a difference between making printed circuit boards and making a blank PCB. To make the circuit board, assemble these materials.
- Protective gear such as nitrile gloves
- Copper laminate board
- Acetone or isopropyl alcohol
- Etching tray
- Ferric chloride etchant
Making blank PCBs is a four-step procedure.
Line Draft
The manufacturer first makes sketches in a layout program such as PROTEL. Then, the sketch is printed on laser printer toner transfer paper or tracing paper and left to dry fully.
Light Exposure
At this point, the blank board is still light-sensitive. To solidify the line sketch imprint, the board is put under a lamp.
Developing the Board
This step might involve toner transfer. The paper print goes on the copper board with the layout side facing down. The manufacturer wipes the sensitizer to present a sketch of the developed area.
Etching
The ferric chloride etchant is poured into the etching tray. The board is then dipped into the etchant to remove the unwanted copper foil.
What remains is a fully done blank PCB ready for component insertion.
Blank PCB Testing
Blank PCB tests ensure the boards meet the highest standards before component connection.
Visual Testing
Before anything else, a blank PCB must pass the visual inspection stage for cracks or spills.
In-Circuit Testing
This testing is an electrical test to check whether the bare board has total conductivity. It also tests for capacitance and resistance on the board.
Automated Optical Tests
This process is automated. It checks the board’s physical aspects and ensures they align with the design specifications. At this stage, aspects such as thickness, area, and component placement points must meet design guidelines.
PCB test
Automated X-RAY Testing
Blank PCB X-ray testing checks for any flaws below surface level. It’s different from the first visual test. It checks target sections for hidden visual defects.
Functional Tests
A functionality test on blank PCBs is the penultimate stage of inspection. It looks at the entire batch of blank PCBs produced. It checks whether all the blank boards are working as per guidelines and design.
The blank PCBs might be placed in a simulated environment and passed through rigorous quality control checks.
Flying Probe Testing
A flying probe test is almost similar to an in-circuit test. However, unlike the in-circuit test, the flying probe uses hovering fixed movable tests to test the board’s functionality above and below. On the other end, an in-circuit test uses a nail bed to test board functionality.
Pros of Blank Circuit Board for Milling
digital circuit board with microchips
Milling is a preferred process of over-etching, especially when you’re dealing with small surface mount devices.
A manufacturer might pick milling for these advantages.
- It allows the manufacturer the freedom to avoid automatic leveling. The final product still maintains fitting and pathway flexibility.
- Milling is good for mass production. Machining ensures a uniform final product.
- Precise milling on blank circuit boards ensures top-grade modularity.
- It is highly affordable. Furthermore, it is a safe cost-cutting strategy.
- Given the time, it also saves time.
For all its advantages, there are also downsides.
Cons of Blank Circuit Board for Milling
- There is a risk of losing too much copper or leaving some copper traces. The etching process is usually responsible for this mismatch, which eventually interferes with the board circuitry.
- Small flaws compromise the entire board’s functionality. Flaws include any missed imperfections during milling or testing.
- It might not yield the best results for complex designs. Also, it might be less accurate if you’re dealing with designs that need a lot of designs.
Consider These Key Factors When Sourcing Blank PCBs
Before you start checking off your considerations, look for a qualified blank PCB board supplier. One supplier will have all these considerations in place.
First things first, you should check the supplier’s certifications. If they meet standard ISO certifications plus RoHS and REACH environmental compliance, you know you’re in good hands.
Blank Circuit Board Material
Since the material determines electrical and thermal conductivity, durability, and structural integrity, choose carefully the material used for the board.
You have a range of substrate material options, including flexible substrates, FR-4, and aluminum.
Lead Time
If you’re running a time-sensitive operation, you need to work with a manufacturer that can provide reliable lead times for the entire production. That way, you can also allocate time for checks, repairs, and corrections.
Blank PCB Board Price
If you’re going to need blank PCB boards in bulk, the issue of costs becomes sensitive. You need to consider a manufacturer that gives you substantial cost savings.
They’ll need to find a cost and quality balance to produce high-quality flawless boards at a good price.
Quality Control
Quality control of electronic components on PCB
Your source needs to be able to test and provide quality assurance at the point of production before delivery. Check how many quality checks they run on the boards before releasing the final batches to you.
Logistics
Can your manufacturer handle packaging and delivery? A manufacturer having the ability to handle shipping and logistics means you can consolidate production and delivery of the PCBs and probably cost you less.
Customer Service
Don’t overlook customer support when picking a provider for your PCB blanks. You need an open and active channel of communication if there are errors in the final product. Also, they need to be responsive to extra orders on short notice.
Blank PCB Board—Where to buy
Finding a blank PCB board was quite a challenge back in the day because of the limited providers available and the limited technology that could mass-produce this product. However, with our current advancements, we can procure blank circuit boards for our PCB design needs anytime and anywhere.
Today, however, with the increasing number of providers with different prices and quality of products, it becomes challenging to choose which company to buy from. When it comes to quality and the quality of blank PCB boards, however, one name is more popular than others, and this is WellPCB.It comes with a range of blank circuit boards and PCB services that are all compliant with standards. While they supply users with the best quality of PCB products, they also advise clients and customers of the best options to choose from for their specific PCB designs.