Your Leading Double Sided PCB Supplier in China

Venture Double Sided PCB is fabricated by using a reduced board size. This extremely helps in decreasing the overall cost. If you want your board to provide current for other slaves or shields, then, Venture Double Sided PCB is your best choice!

Venture Double Sided PCB is also called as two-layer PCB. These types of PCBs have conductive layers on the board’s sides. Construction of Venture Double Sided PCB is the same with single-sided PCB except that Double-Sided PCB layers are laminated on both sides of the board.

Venture Double Sided PCB offers you more flexibility. It can also give an intermediate level of circuit complexity and a relatively lower cost. Venture Double Sided PCB has an advantage over single-sided boards in terms of complexity. Venture Double Sided PCB is best if your board is populated and you want to put a lot of components.

The base of our Double-Sided PCB is consists of insulating material that is commonly known as substrate primarily a fiberglass epoxy resin. A copper foil is also equipped into our Double Sided PCB. Venture Double Sided PCB offers optimized circuit density and lower cost.

Venture Double-Sided PCB comes with limitless applications both for new and old designs. Typically, our Double-Sided PCB is suitable for DSPT applications including ultra-high-copper build, fine line surface mount, silver, gold, solder coated, and high/low-temperature finishes.

Venture Double-Sided PCBs are also perfectly suitable for applications like:

• industrial controls
• vending machines
• hard drives
• traffic systems
• printers
• amplifiers
• phone systems
• test equipment
• power monitoring
• line reactors
• automotive dashboards
• LED lighting
• power supplies
• HVAC
• converters
• power conversions
• control relays
• UPS systems
• regulators
• instrumentation

With our vast manufacturing experience, we can assure you that Venture can give you the best quality Double-Sided PCB! You trust our more than 10 years of experience to give you great and valuable services!

Venture takes advantage of advanced production facilities and high-technology to assure you an on-site quality of every Double-Sided PCB process steps. We are always ready to help and assist you in every electronic project. We will give you a total solution for your Double-Sided PCB requirements!

As a professional manufacturer, Venture offers you competitive pricing and easy communication. We have professional and expert engineers who designed your high-quality Double-Sided PCB.

If you are a retailer or electrical engineer who needs top-quality Double-Sided PCB, Venture is your best choice! Make Venture Electronics your trusted supplier of Double-Sided PCB!

Contact us for more information about our Double-Sided PCB!

Double-Sided PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

If you have any question about double-sided PCB, all your answers are right here.

In this guide, you will learn both basic and advanced concepts about double-sided PCBs such as design, fabrication, assembly, material type, and a number of layers, amongst others.

Let’s dive right in.

What is Double Sided PCB?

A double-sided Printed Circuit Board  is a PCB that has both of its sides printed.

You can use both sides to incorporate various components on the PCB board.

Double-sided PCB

Where do you use Double Sided PCB?

You can use double-sided PCBs in any of the following applications:

• Power supplies
• Control relays
• Instrumentation
• Industrial controls
• Converters
• HVAC
• Amplifiers
• Traffic systems
• Vending machines
• Power monitoring
• Power conversion
• Printers
• Phone systems
• UPS systems
• LED lighting
• Hard drives
• Regulators

What Determines Double-sided PCB Board Price?

Some of the main factors that determine the price of the double-sided PCB price include:

PCB Material Choice

The type of material used in a double-sided PCB will determine the overall cost of the board.

Normally, the materials used will vary depending on the following factors:

a. Thermal reliability

b. Temperature reliability

c. Heat transfer

d. Signal performance

e. Mechanical properties

PCB Size

The size of the PCB will vary depending on the dimensions.

More importantly, the number of layer will affect the price of the double sided printed circuit board.

Number of Layers

The number of layers affects the price of a PCB.

PCBs with more than one layer like double-sided PCB will tend to be more expensive.

That is when you compare it with single sided PCB.

Surface Finish Type

The costs incurred to obtain the final finish of a double-sided PCB will determine the price.

Double-sided PCBs with high-grade finishes tend to be more expensive as they are more durable.

Size of Hole

The sizes of holes in a double-sided PCB will determine the final cost of the PCB.

More holes are challenging to drill.

This is mainly due to the thickness and tininess of the circuit board.

As a result, it increases the price of the PCB.

Minimum Trace and Space

Double-sided PCBs with sufficient trace width do not overheat easily.

Such PCBs tend to be more expensive.

Thickness of the PCB and Aspect Ratio

Thicker material implies the PCB will be costlier.

Normally, a PCB with a larger aspect ratio is also costlier than that with a lower aspect ratio.

Custom or Unique Specifications

Customizing double sided PCB may also contribute to higher expenses.

This is because it may require specialized PCB fabrication tools and equipment.

Some custom PCB may have contoured edges, side plating, and solder mask clearance among other specifications.

Custom PCB

What is the Best Double-Sided PCB Design Software?

There are many PCB design software you can use during double sided PCB design process.

Some of the best double-sided software designs include:

• Altium designer: this is the most popular software for double-sided PCB design.

It offers a range of functionalities and features for double sided PCB design.

• PCB artist by advanced circuits: this is a famous software tool for different electronic engineering products.
• Solid works PCB: you can use this software for many electronic circuit designs.

This is because it has a high powerful technological design that makes work easier.

• Ulti board by national instruments: this is a software platform designed by national instruments.

It helps in an expanded technologically advanced PCB production process.

This software saves hours of development time.

• Dip trace: it helps in board design and automatic routing.

The software is robust and easy to use.

• XCircuit: This is also a robust PCB design software allowing for seamless design process.

It allows for circuit design via schematic capture.

• Ki Cad EDA: this PCB software has some great design features that include schematic capture and 3D viewer.

You can use it to make designs without limits.

Ki Cad is suitable for producing professional layouts.

It also helps in inspecting other PCB designs.

What is the Best Technique for Milling Double Sided PCB?

The milling techniques for double-sided PCB include:

a) Engraving Bit Isolation Milling

This is a fantastic milling alternative to flat end mills for some traces and pads milling.

The engraving bit is strong making it a perfect solution for milling PCBs with small trace widths.

What are the Stages in the Double-Sided PCB Manufacturing Process?

The manufacturing process of double-sided PCBs involves the following stages:

PCB manufacturing process

I. Designing the PCB:

• Start with a plan.
• Layout the blueprint for the PCB, choose design software such as Altium Designer to design your PCB.
• Check that your designs have no errors and that notation such as the number of copper layers, solder masks, and other components are correct.
• The final PCB design is sent to the manufacturer for fabrication.

II. Printing the PCB Design:

• A plotter printer is used to make a film on the PCB.
• Clear ink is used for non-conductive parts of the PCB.
• The solder mask and the entire board are filmed.
• A registration hole is punched in the film.

III. Printing the copper for the interior layers:

• At this stage, the manufacturing process starts.
• Apply copper to the piece of laminate where the PCB design has been printed.
• Next, the copper is removed too and the blueprint is revealed.
• The resist covers the laminate panel and then hardened by ultraviolet light.
• Resist and laminate is aligned and fused using ultraviolet light.
• Photoresist indicates pathways where the copper will run.
• The board is then cleaned and left to dry.

IV. Getting rid of the unneeded copper:

• Involves removing unwanted copper.
• The process uses a powerful chemical to remove copper that is not covered by the photoresist.
• The photoresist is removed as well.
• Only the required copper is left on the PCB board.

V. Inspection and alignment:

• Optical inspection and alignment are carried out after cleaning the PCB.
• The drilled holes are used for alignment.
• In the case of a multilayer PCB, an optical punch is used to align the PCB by punching pins through the holes.
• Optical inspection is used to detect defects.
• The PCB is compared to the schematic design to establish defects.

VI. Laminating the PCB layers:

• This process involves the fusing of the PCB.
• It is important mainly for the multilayer PCB types.
• The laminating process involves the lay-up step and the laminating step.
• The PCB is sandwiched by metal claps and fitted by a special pin.
• The laminating process starts by applying a pre-coated epoxy resin on the PCB.
• Next, a layer of copper foil is applied on the PCB board.
• The copper foil is then coated by a sheet of pre-impregnated resin.
• A press plate is the most outer component that is placed on the PCB.
• The PCB is then pressed together.
• The next step is pressing the PCB on a laminating press that applies heat and pressure.
• Heat melts the epoxy which in turn fuses the PCB.

VII. Drilling:

• The X-ray machine locates the drill spots.
• Guiding holes are drilled.
• A computer-guided machine drills the specific holes required on the PCB.
• The design guide used in the designing process is used to guide where the holes are to be drilled.
• The copper that is left off after drilling is removed by filing.

VIII. PCB plating:

• Plating occurs after the PCB has been drilled.
• Plating uses a chemical to fuse the PCB.
• PCB is bathed in chemicals that coat the PCB with a micro-thin layer of copper.
• The holes that have been drilled are applied with a micro-thin layer of copper.

IX.  Imaging:

• Another layer of photoresist is applied to the PCB.
• In the case of multi-layered PCB, the photoresist is applied to the outermost layer.

X. Plating the outer layer:

• In the case of a multilayered PCB, the outer layer is plated the same as the inner layers.
• Tin is used to plate the PCB at this stage to guard the copper.

XI. Last etching:

• The tin guard helps protect the copper from being etched.
• Unwanted copper is removed.
• Connections are established and readied for solder masking.

XII. Applying the solder mask:

• First, the panels are cleaned again.
• Solder mask film and ink epoxy are applied on the PCB panel.
• The solder mask to be removed is identified using the ultraviolet light.
• For the solder mask to cure, PCB is baked in an oven.

XIII. Finishing the PCB

• PCB is plated with gold, silver, or HASL to protect the copper
• Next, the components are soldered.

XIV. Silk-screening

• Important information is printed on the PCB.
• PCB is then sent for final curing.

XV. Electrical reliability testing:

• Electrical reliability testing tests for functionality.
• The main tests that are carried out are circuit continuity and also isolation test.
• Circuit continuity tests for disconnections.
• Isolation test checks for shorts in the PCB.

XVI.Cutting and profiling:

• Involves cutting and scoring the PCB.
• PCBs are cut from the original panel
• A CNC machine and a V-groove are some of the ways that can be used to cut out PCBs from the panels.

XVII. Final Inspection:

• Cleanliness is checked on the boards and sharp edges, burrs, and other hazards are identified.
• Components such as chamfers and countersinks are added as necessary.
• Retesting of the identified and repaired shorted boards.
• Industry specification, hole sizes, and physical dimensions are identified and verified through a visual inspection.

What are the Benefits of Double-Sided PCB?

Double sided PCB

Benefits of double-sided PCBs include:

• Double-sided PCBs have a reduced printed circuit board size that enhance reduction of costs.
• Double-sided PCB has increased circuit density.
• There is more flexibility for designers.
• Double-sided PCB has an intermediate level of circuit density.
• Double-sided PCB uses both sided of the layers thus appropriate if one intends to use the board to provide current to other shields.

What are the Disadvantages of Double-Sided PCB?

• Higher cost: double-sided PCBs are relatively costly because it is difficult to design and have a complex manufacturing process.
• Complicated production: double-sided PCB has more than a single layer. Thus the manufacturing process is a bit complex as compared to single-sided PCB.
• Skilled designer required: double-sided PCB requires extensive production time thus require personnel with expertise to produce them.
• Production time: with the complexity that comes with double-sided PCB and more manufacturing needs, the production time is a bit longer.

How do you Mount Components on Double-Sided PCB?

The following mounting techniques are involved in mounting components on a double-sided PCB;

 Mounting components on PCB

• IR reflow soldering: mainly used by manufactures producing huge quantities of PCBs.
• Wave soldering: mainly used in PCBs with pins or holes where components are attached. It is suitable for hole and SMD components glued to the board.
• Vapor phase soldering: mainly used in small PCB production processes while at the same time being a cheaper option.
• Wire bonding: this mounting technique is used in special PCBs especially in gold plated components.
• Adhesive bonding: this method of mounting components on a PCB board simply uses a conductive glue. The glue binds the component to the PCB pads.
• Hand soldering: this method of mounting components on a PCB is mainly used for repair works. it is also commonly used in low productions and in learning institutions.
• Through hole mounting technology – it involves soldering components on the board with the leads.

How does Double Sided PCB compare to Single-Sided PCB?

Here are some of the critical facts you should know about double-sided PCB:

 Double sided PCB

• They have a top and bottom layer.
• They have copper and other components mounted on both sides of the printed circuit board.
• Has a higher density and does not require end-to-end soldering?
• Are more complex and difficult in fabricating.
• They are preferred compared to single-sided PCBs.
• Manufacturers prefer them because of the ease of fabricating complex circuits.
• Mainly used for applications requiring superior technology.
• Some of the applications of double-sided PCB include, LED lighting systems, vending machines, phone systems, and industrial controls.

Here are some of the key facts you need to know about single-sided PCB:

 Single sided PCB

• Only one side of the board has a layer of conducting material.
• Mainly used where low costs are involved.
• They are not complex and are easy to use in applications.
• They are mainly used for mass devices production
• Some of the applications of single-sided PCBs include surveillance gadgets, calculators, printers, and audio equipment.

Is Double Sided PCB a Multilayer PCB?

Yes, a double-sided PCB is a multi-layer PCB.

This is because it has more than one conductive layer which a requirement for any multilayer PCB.

What are the Best PCB Materials for Double-Sided PCB?

Some of the best PCB materials used in the fabrication of double-sided PCBs include but are not limited to the following:

• FR4 epoxy laminate and prepreg: these materials are the most used in the fabrication of PCBs.

They have good thermal, electrical, and mechanical characteristics.

Some of the materials that make FR4 include glass cloth and epoxy resin.

• Polyimide laminates and prepreg: they have high temperature and electrical performance properties.

They have fewer expansion capabilities and are stable during thermal cycling.

• Teflon laminates and bonding plies: are ideal for fast circuitry applications. They can be coated on glass fabric and used as an additive to improve mechanical properties.
• Flexible laminates: can easily be folded without losing electrical continuity.

They are made from high-temperature materials such as polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, polyester, and PEN.

How do you Choose Material for Double-Sided PCB?

When choosing material to use in your double-sided PCB production you should keep in mind its conductivity characteristics.

You should consider the thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties.

Some of the materials you can use in double-sided PCB production include:

• Copper is mainly used for the conducting strips.
• The solder that serves as a connection between the components and copper strips is made from tin.

Tin is easy to melt and a good conductor.

• Paper impregnated with resin is used to make the PCB board because it is a good insulator.
• Glass-fiber is also used to make PCB boards because of its superb insulation capabilities.
• Gold is used in plating the contacts of the chip. Gold helps in giving the PCB a low resistance contact and also deters oxidization.
• Black resin is used to encapsulate the chip. It helps in electrical insulation dispersal of heat generated by the chip.

Which Types of Double-Sided PCBs are there?

Types of double-layered PCBs include:

• Multi-layer PCB: these PCBs have a series of more than three layers.

They come in a variety of sizes, as small as four layers to as large as ten or twelve.

The circuits and components are usually connected either by utilizing vias or by using a surface mount.

• Flexible PCB: these are made of movable materials that can flex and move.

Such materials may include plastic or reinforced rubber.

They come in single, double, or multilayer formats and cost more for fabrication.

• High-frequency PCBs: This refers generally to a PCB design element rather than a constructed PCB model.

They are circuit boards designed to transfer electrical currents and signals over one gigahertz.

The high-frequency PCB materials may include but not limited to epoxy laminate, resin, and Teflon.

• Aluminum backed PCBs: it is also referred to as metal base PCB.

It consists of copper, and a thin thermally conductive and electrically insulating layer.

The layer covers the copper foil and metal base.

The aluminum backed PCB is divided into three layers which are the circuit layer, insulating layer, and base layer.

The main use of aluminum-backed PCB is providing heat dissipation solutions, especially where high temperature is involved.

• Flex-rigid PCB: these use a combination of multiple layers of flexible PCBs attached to several rigid PCB layers.

They combine the best of both.

Rigid –Flexi PCBs are advantageous in that they have lower parts count compared to traditional rigid or Flexi boards.

They also allow for a more streamlined design and reduced board size and weight.

What is Double Sided PCB Specification?

Some of the double-sided PCB specifications include:

• Has at least 2 layers.
• Have epoxy glass dielectric materials laminated with the copper cladding of varying thickness?
• Recommended material standards: FR-4 standards.
• Recommended materials performance: FR-4 high performance.
• Recommended materials halogen-free: FR-4 halogen-free.
• Specific copper weight.
• Recommended minimum track and gap should be 0.10mm/ 0.10mm
• Recommended PCB thickness should be 0.40mm-3.2mm.
• Recommended maximum dimensions should be 510mm by 650mm
• The recommended minimum mechanical drill should be 0.30mm standard and 0.20mm advanced.

Which Surface Finishing Options are Best for Double-Sided PCB?

There are many PCB surface finishes you can use during fabrication process.

Remember, each type of surface finish provide a degree of protection to your PCB board.

Some of the finishes available include:

• Immersion Gold (ENIG): also known as electroless Nickel immersion Gold and one of the preferred finishes available in the market.
• Immersion Silver (IAg): usually applied to the PCB via chemical displacement. It is a less costly finish compared to ENIG and diffuses easily with copper.
• Immersion Tin (ISn) is preferred because it is applied directly to the base metal of a PCB.

It is the most affordable of the available finishes.

• HASL: this finish utilizes tin or lead and creates a thin protective covering on a PCB. HASL is less used in PCB production.
• Pb-Free HASL: are increasing in popularity because of their environmentally-friendly capabilities. They use copper that is mixed with nickel to create a protective coating.
• OSP: also known as Organic Solderability Preservative is an environmentally friendly finish. Uses an organic compound to bond with copper naturally.
• Hard gold: makes durable finishes though it is expensive. Some of its applications include test boards, battery contacts, and edge connectors.
• ENEPIG; is a finish type that uses multiple layers.

These multiple layers can work with various applications and bonds with different metals such as gold, aluminum, or copper.

 PCB surface finish

Why is Copper used in Double Sided PCB?

Copper is used in double-sided PCB due to the following reasons:

• It is highly conductive
• Copper easily transmits signals without losing signals along the way.
• Manufacturers use just a small amount of copper to get the job done due to its nature.
• Copper is readily available and relatively affordable.

All these factors together thus make copper as an ideal element to be used in double-sided PCB.

What Causes Damages on Double-Sided PCB?

Possible causes of damages on double-sided PCB include:

• Static electricity: this refers to the imbalance of an electric charge in the double-sided PCB.

In case of an electric surge, it is important to switch off your devices.

• Physical impairments: double-sided PCB can be exposed to physical damages such as accidental falls, or exposure to stress.

These result in breakage, wear, or tear. Learning how to repair damaged double-sided PCB is important.

• Heat and humidity: double-sided PCB can be damaged by fire and this may not be easily repaired.

Which Types of Vias can you use in Double Sided PCB?

Some of the vias that you can use on your double-sided PCB include:

• Blind vias: connect an exterior layer to an interior layer
• Buried vias: connect two interior layers
• Through vias: connect two exterior layers

How do you Diagnose Fault in Double Sided PCB?

Diagnosing faults in double-sided PCB will depend on the cause of the damage.

You can consider the following when diagnosing faults in PCBs:

I. Component failure: You can handle this by measuring conductivity within the circuit board.

This will enable you to establish whether the board conducts electricity or not.

II. Physical damage: If parts of the PCB break, fall on the ground and shatter but other components are working partially, repair or remanufacturing is possible.

III. Trace damages: you can diagnose a fault by tracing its pathway if the trace is visible enough.

This is quite efficient given that most double-sided PCBs are made from copper which is highly visible.

IV. Poor PCB design: poor PCB designs will consistently require repairs due to consistent failures.

In this case, you should just buy a new PCB to save on time and energy for improving the PCB design.

V. Power failure: in this case, you should use voltage tools to check the current on the board and decide what can be repaired and what can’t.

Are Double-Sided PCB Holes Plated?

Yes, all holes for double-sided PCB are plated.

This is to pave way for the circuit to pass from the top of the board to the bottom of the board.

What is the Standard Drill Size for Double-Sided PCB Holes?

The standard drill size for double-sided PCB holes is as shown below:

a) The minimum hole size for double-sided PCB is 0.6 mm.

b) The maximum hole size for double-sided PCB is 6.6 mm.

Is there Maximum PCB Thickness for Double-Sided PCB?

The maximum thickness for double-sided PCB is 12″ by 18″ or 300mm by 450mm.

What Size of Copper Thickness is used on Double-Sided PCB?

All double-sided PCBs are produced with 1oZ copper.

However, it is also possible to manufacture double-sided boards with 2oZ copper for an additional amount.

How do you Assemble Double Sided PCB?

The assembling process of double-sided PCB entails:

1. Soldier paste stenciling: first, the solder paste is applied on the surface of the board where you will mount the components.
2. Pick and place: after applying the solder mask, a robotic device then places the components of the double-sided PCB.

Of course, it is the surface you have already prepared.

3. Reflow technology: this is a process that will ensure the solder paste and the surface mount components permanently remain in place.

It works by heating the board to about 250 degrees Celsius which melts the soldier in the soldier paste.

Then cools the soldier to solidify in a controlled manner.

4. Inspection and quality control: this entails testing the functionality of the double-sided PCB to ascertain that the reflow process was a success. The inspection methods used include:

• Manual checks
• Automatic optical inspection
• X-ray inspection

5. Through-hole component insertion: you can make a plated through-hole on the board. You will mount components with leads.

Depending on the type of PCB, you can opt for either manual soldiering or wave soldiering.

6. Final inspection and functional test: after the whole assembling process is completed, you must conduct as functional test.

This ensure your PCB functions according to the stipulated specifications.

The final inspection also analyzes the power signals, testers monitors, and electrical characteristics.

What are the Double-Sided PCB Quality Standards?

Some of the quality standards for double-sided PCBs include:

• Underwriters Laboratories (UL) ratings.
• European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards.
• Military performance certification: Mil-PRF-31032
• UL certified for flexible and rigid-flex constructions
• ITAR Registered
• Most product manufactured to IPC 6013 class III
• IPC-A-600G (Acceptability of Printed Boards) Class 1 and 2 classifications.
• IPC-A-610 revision D/E class 1.
• ISO9001:2008
• IATF16949

What are the Benefits of CNC Milling Double Sided PCB?

Some of the benefits of CNC milling double-sided PCB include:

• CNC milling incorporates precision in the tracking of double-sided PCBs.
• Suitable for mass productions of double-sided PCBs.
• Works simultaneously by using different functions in the making of double-sided PCBs.
• Ensures uniformity in double-sided PCB boards.

Now, we would also like to hear from you.

In case you have any question or inquiry about double sided PCB, feel free to contact Venture team.

We offer a range of custom solutions for all your double sided PCB needs.