Engineering resources
Arlon PCB Manufacturing
A repeatable build starts with an unambiguous drawing. We review the selected material and the complete construction before agreeing a manufacturing route and quotation.
1. Material and stack-up review
Specify the exact grade, dielectric thickness, copper weight and layer order. Identify acceptable alternatives explicitly. A polyimide core, low-flow bonding ply and RF laminate solve different problems; they cannot be exchanged based on a family name.
Use the model-by-model material library to prepare your specification. Availability, foil options and lead time are confirmed for the requested construction rather than assumed from a catalogue entry.
2. Multilayer and hybrid construction
List all lamination stages, cavities, bonded heatsinks and rigid-flex transitions. Check local copper density and resin demand. Hybrid builds require compatible bonding materials and a reviewed thermal cycle across the whole stack.
3. Drilling, metallization and dimensional control
Provide finished hole sizes, tolerances and plating requirements. Hole-wall preparation depends on the actual resin system. Via reliability also depends on aspect ratio, expansion, copper distribution and assembly exposure. Keep controlled-impedance references and measurement coupons in the release package.
4. Surface finish and gold thickness
Name the finish system and where it applies. ENIG, ENEPIG and electrolytic hard gold serve different assembly and contact requirements. State units, minimum thickness, measurement method and acceptance criteria. Use the gold thickness converter to avoid unit ambiguity.
5. Inspection and release
Agree electrical testing, impedance measurement, cross-section sampling and documentation before production. Customer-specific standards, traceability and qualification requirements must be reviewed for the project; this website does not claim a certification that has not been documented.
Files for a useful quotation
- Gerber or ODB++ data, drill files and fabrication drawing.
- Approved stack-up, exact material grade and substitution rules.
- Board size, quantity, finish, tolerances and delivery target.
- Inspection, traceability and packaging requirements.