Example of Single Layer PCB
During past few days, I have been trying search about real use cases of different types of PCBs. Can someone here share their knowledge for the same?
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
There are different types of PCBs. Are you looking for any specific type of use case?
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
Yes, I know there are different types of PCBs. I was specifically looking for single layer PCB.
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
@tom-5
Hi Tom,
typically you have three options,
1, Do it yourself.... Workable, Messy, Possibly poor results
2, Pay Stupid Money for a slow in country company to make them for you,
3, Use a company like JLPCB, who often offer cut price offers for PCB's
ordinarily, you would create your own Circuit diagram and PCB Layout in one of the PCB design Packages,
I use Target 3001... which has a limited size free option and a subscription option, other free packages do exist.
after creating your design, save the results as a Gerber file, and send to your preferred company
Most PCB's seem to be made with FR4 Board (Fibreglass Re enforced board) this will probably be your most cost effective option.
If you design single sided the vendor should produce single sided... however you might find that specifying single sided may cost more and take longer to produce than double sided with one side Blank...
in My experience, JLPCB offer a very quick turnround
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
Hi Joan,
Thanks for giving time and sharing valuable suggestions !
I agree, DIY would not be a good option. I also prefer to go with reliable and cost effective company.
I have a question... I read on a few places that FR4 is a most popular choice out of different flame retardants. Is it because, they are cost effective? Or is there any other reason. You too have mentioned about it 🙂
FYI: one of the online sources where it is mentioned: https://www.derf.com/printed-circuit-boards-overview-and-explanation/
Looking forward to your response.
Cheers
Tom
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
As a rule of thumb, single layer/single sided is OK if you have no problem with adding some wires to the board when assembling your circuit - the simple reason is that you obviously can't do crossing lines in such a design. As a remedy, you'd first look at single layer/double sided, i.e. circuits on both sides of the PCB. crossings can be done because you can design so-called "vias" into the board. That are essentially little holes with a copper-coated wall using which your signal can switch sides.
If your design is really complex and you need multiple signals crossing each other or crazy trace patterns, you can also go multi-layer. A multi-layer board is basically multiple boards glued to each other with a thin isolator between them and you can create vias between specific layers.
Multi-layer PCBs are really not that useful for home projects unless you are really, really experienced - and then you probably wouldn't have asked that question. 🙂 The main drawback compared to single or double sided single-layer PCBs is that you can really debug what's happening in the inner layers and you cant simply fix problems with a little wire bridge.
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
I will use single or double sided pcb's at home. I have a laser etcher to mark the boards and then etch them. I have progressed from doing boards with hand and photo (at school) and commercially made boards. There are now places online that will make small number of boards for a reasonable price in a short time. I have read about many people using them on electronics forums and seem very happy. A couple of the companies are now offering 3D metal printing as well.
Board material is dependent on what you need the board to do. For most people, fiberglass is the best way to go. Strong and cheap. You can get very thin or thick boards if you want strength in the boards. Alumina boards are nice if you have heat issues and need to draw heat away from components to a case of heatsinks not on the components. Flex boards are just that, can be bent and shaped. Really nice if you want to put LED's on the side of a box or in strange arrangements.
Here is a link to an open source PCB design software. I have used this and another one that this is a fork off of for over a decade.
The software I have used for decades for circuit design is falling out of use so I am starting to move to KiCad.
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
Ho Tom, Sorry I am late back,
FR4 is a Glass re enforced resin board, it has good electrical resistance and good strength. and is much superior to Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper (SRBP) which was one of the first printed circuit board materials (Also known as FR2 Fire retardant Board 2)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FR-4
Differences between board types
https://www.bestpcbs.com/blog/2016/08/whats-the-difference-for-fr1-fr2-fr3-and-fr4-materials/
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Example of Single Layer PCB
Your question is a bit simplisitic/vague, so let me add some more things that you may, or may not, be interested in...
pcb's consist of electrical conductors and electrical insulators (duh). thing is, there are certain modern electronics that require particular electrical characteristics of the conductors in order to work properly (or at all). such characteristics involve certain arrangements, thicknesses, widths, distances, lengths, spaces, etc of the conductors+dielectrics. SO, not all circuits will work on a single-sided pcb, even if you can design/draw it onto such.
generally, only very simple, 'primitive' type electronics will work on a single sided pcb.