Price Compare: metal core PCB v’s fr4

Price Compare: metal core PCB v’s fr4

Fr4 PCB is a very conventional PCB type of electronic industry.
In LED industry Fr4 PCB not use first widely, its metal core PCB uses more widely.
That is the reason why many people don’t know metal core PCB but call it as LED PCB.
Due to thermal management, metal core PCB has to consider more heat than conventional PCB design process.
Add the metal material also not so cheap.
Resulting in most metal core PCB board is more expensive than the FR4 PCB board.

Heat Performance compares: metal core PCB v’s fr4

In traditional electronic PCB design theory, electronic transfer is the first, then the layout.
Metal core PCB design is more than above two points, add consider a PCB heat transfer.
You know in LED lighting applications, heat increase is the biggest problems.
If you choose high performance metal, this situation may change.
By the way, most metal core PCB heat performance is better than FR4 PCB.

The stack up of metal core PCB board VS.Fr4

We have compared the price and performance, this part we will discuss about construct or stack up of metal core PCB.
Metal core PCB have three layer stack up.
And FR4 stacks up depend on each application, it can have 1, 2, 3 or even more later.
In three layer stack up of metal core PCB, the dielectric layer is most different from fr4 PCB.
Metal core PCB has high heat management most reason is it have dielectric layer.

Application compares: metal core PCB VS FR4

Fr4 PCB application has widely than metal core PCB.
But in LED industry, most engineers will choose metal core PCB for new projects.
For example, a single layer metal core PCB stack up, base is metal core, top is the copper, dielectric layer is in the middle. MCPCB is used instead of traditional FR4 or CEM3 PCB because of the ability to efficiently dissipate heat away from the components. This is achieved by using a Thermally Conductive dielectric Layer.

Source: http://4mcpcb.com/metal-core-pcb-vs-fr4-four-parts-detail-comare-report.html

 

The Flex PCBs have been given button plating

Manufacturing of PCBs involves many complex processes and the value of various types of PCBs manufactured is dependent on the hi-tech processes. With cost efficiency and energy efficiency becoming the buzz words the end user industries are looking for smart suppliers.

Leading PCB manufacturer, HTD Circuits announced a new series of rigid as well flexible PCB. Explaining the properties of the new products, the MD said the rigid PCBs will be available in three types— single-layer, double-layer and Metal core PCBs.

He said the newly launched single-layer PCBs are significant for the high-efficiency mode with components mounted on one side of the board and the conductor patterns kept on the other side.

The double-layer PCBs have been made with complex circuits in mind and there are doubled areas for conductor patterns. More innovation has been done in ‘vias’, which are electrical ‘bridges’ functioning as holes filled with metals that touch the conductor on both sides.

Besides higher reliability, the newly launched flexible PCBs easily fits into tighter spaces without bulky connectors interfacing the other boards.

The MD said the new Flex PCBs have very fair, rugged and dependable interface. They easily fit the product into a small space and connect two rigid boards within a small space.

He said international standards have been maintained in the designing and manufacturing of new PCB series.

Reiterating that quality product and customer satisfaction as the corner stone of the company’s commitment, the MD said, the top guideline is not to deviate from established quality parameters.

Quality levels of materials are in a constant update by way of stringent testing and statistical controls. The new PCBs will serve many major segments. They include

Telecommunication, Consumer Electronics, Automation Industries, Home Security, Automobiles, Computer Applications and Lighting industry.

The Flex PCBs have been given button plating, which is larger than rigid PCBs. Each design is backed by a layout that is conducive for circuit density and line spacing. The materials are made of fibreglass called as copper clad laminate. The copper tracks have been chemically etched to connect with different components within the PCB.

To thwart counterfeiting hologram packaging has been introduced. The United States Bureau of Industry and security has reported 250 percent increase in counterfeit electrical products, especially in semiconductors.

Counterfeit parts are noted for inferior quality and decreased performance besides becoming public hazards. So, the MD said branding is important and end users have to make sure that they are procuring from an original component manufacturer or a franchised distributor.