Between The Conductors

Standardized PCB Benchmarking Data – One Click Away

Overview of the IPC Process Capability, Quality, and Relative Reliability (PCQR²) Database.  Download

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Before adding those "expensive" components at assembly, it is prudent to ensure the quality and reliability of the bare circuit board.  Download

Can We Believe the Polls?

Procurement decisions for printed circuit boards are oftentimes based upon polling data.  Download

Consumer Products

Advanced consumer electronics must be economical to manufacture, while providing the functionality, quality, and reliability that the consumer deserves.  Download

Highly Accelerated Thermal Shock (HATS) Results

Results from thermal cycling tests performed on printed circuit boards.  Download

Highly Accelerated Thermal Shock (HATS)

A new technology based on traditional air-to-air thermal shock test methods is used to evaluate the reliability of vias and solder joints.  Download

A Tool for Process Improvement

A test system is discussed that is used to characterize the quality of conductors, vias, via registration, and soldermask registration.  Download

Impact of Panel Thickness on Registration

Registration results from the IPC-PCQR² Database illustrate the trends and quantify the magnitude of increased drill-to-innerlayer misregistration that occurs with increased panel thickness.  Download

The Effect of Innerlayer Reprocessing on Conductor Height

The impact of innerlayer reprocessing on finished copper thickness is examined.  Download

The Impact of Conductor Width on Controlled Impedance

The impact of conductor width on controlled impedance is examined.  Download

Technology Erosion

Causes of technology erosion are examined and possible solutions are explored.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - Soldermask Registration

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - Through Vias

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - 1-Ounce Innerlayer Conductor and Space

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - Half-Ounce Innerlayer Conductor and Space

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - Outerlayer Conductor and Space

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics - Introduction

Statistical industry performance data from the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

Factory Design and Automation

Factory design and automation can significantly improve productivity and competitiveness.  Download

A Case for Collaborative Research & Development

Collaborative research and development is essential to maintain a viable PCB manufacturing presence in North America.  Download

The Impact of Copper Thickness on Quality - Part 2

A discussion of the impact copper thickness on via quality and reliability.  Download

The Impact of Copper Thickness on Quality - Part 1

A discussion of the impact copper thickness on finished conductor width and controlled impedance.  Download

PCQR² Industry Statistics Report

A description of the IPC PCQR² Database industry statistics report.  Download

PCQR² Industry Comparison Report

A description of the IPC PCQR² Database industry comparison report.  Download

PCQR² Process Capability Report

A description of the IPC PCQR² Database supplier comparison report.  Download

IPC PCQR² Database

A description of the IPC PCQR² Database.  Download

IPC PCQR² Design Library

A description of the IPC PCQR² Database design library.  Download

IPC D-36 PCQR² Subcommittee

Printed Board Process Capability, Quality, and Relative Reliability (PCQR²) Database.  Download

Capability Study Report

Capability results from seven suppliers presented in the form of a "Consumer Report".  Download

Capability Study - Soldermask Registration

Results from seven suppliers of soldermask registration capability.  Download

Capability Study - Blind Microvias

Results from seven suppliers of microvia capability.  Download

Capability Study - Narrow Conductors and Spaces

Results from seven suppliers of narrow conductors and spaces formed on outerlayers.  Download

Photoplotter Impact on Quality

The impact of photoplotters on finished conductor widths.  Download

Signatures from Conductor Process Capability Panels - V

Test results identify process problems and lead to solutions that improve capability and quality.  Download

Signatures from Conductor Process Capability Panels - IV

Test results identify process problems and lead to solutions that improve capability and quality.  Download

Signatures from Conductor Process Capability Panels - III

Test results identify process problems and lead to solutions that improve capability and quality.  Download

Signatures from Conductor Process Capability Panels - II

Test results identify process problems and lead to solutions that improve capability and quality.  Download

Signatures from Conductor Process Capability Panels - I

Test results identify process problems and lead to solutions that improve capability and quality.  Download

Via Capability, Quality, and Reliability

Results from high layer-count boards with high aspect ratio vias.  Download

Conductor Width in Dense and Sparse Areas

Results from five etchers exhibit significant differences in ability to control the width of narrow conductors, independent of space width.  Download

Laser Direct Imaging

Tests of a laser direct imaging system show very promising results.  Download

Fabricator Surveys - Do they tell the complete story?

An OEM avoided substantial costs by collecting capability and quality data following a supplier survey.  Download

Microvia Capability, Quality, and the Impact of Registration

The importance of good registration for microvia capability and quality.  Download

Via Capability and Quality First - Then Reliability

Process capability and quality must be achieved before performing reliability studies.  Download

Via Capability and Quality Results

A wide range in microvia formation capability and quality is present in the industry.  Download

Via Capability and Quality

Methods of quantifying via formation capability and quality.  Download

Soldermask Registration

Results from 13 suppliers show a wide range in soldermask registration capability.  Download

The Impact of Subtle Process Variations

Investigating variations in innerlayer conductor height.  Download

Etcher Performance Improvements

Designed experiments lead to improvements in an innerlayer etcher.  Download

An Assessment of Microvia Reliability

Data is presented on the reliability of microvias when exposed to an assembly simulation process.  Download

The Challenges for Microvias

Data presented from five printed circuit manufacturers emphasizes the challenges ahead in fabricating microvias.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Plating

Investigating the plating process.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Drilling

Investigating the drilling process.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Etching

Investigating the etching process.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Developing

Investigating the developing process.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Imaging

Investigating the imaging process.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Photoresist

Investigating photoresist.  Download

Investigation Process Capability - Preclean

Investigating the preclean process.  Download

Miniaturization

How miniaturization affects PCB manufacturers' capability and quality.  Download

Quantitative Measures of Quality

The manufacture of quality products relies on processes that are reproducible and controlled.  Download

A Question of Reliability

Prior to conducting reliability studies the PCB manufacturing process must be controlled.  Download

Predicting Yield

Description of the model & equations relating defect density to predicted product yields.  Download

Defect Density

Description of the model & equations for calculating conductor and space defect density.  Download

The Past.. Present.. and Future

Special issue for the 10 year anniversary of CircuiTree.  Download

Correlation of Electrical and Optical Measurements

Conductor width and height from electrical measurements are compared with optical measurements of cross sections.  Download

Capital Equipment Purchases

Performance evaluations provide valuable data for decisions on capital equipment purchases.  Download

An Experimental Design

An example to optimize the develop-etch-strip process.  Download

Plated Copper Uniformity

Comparison of pattern plated copper uniformity to print & etch uniformity.  Download

A Strategy to Improve Electrical Performance

Impact of conductor width and height uniformity on controlled impedance.  Download

Conductor Width Uniformity: Issues and Process Impact

Measuring conductor width uniformity over the surface of panels, from side-to-side on panels, and from panel-to-panel can lead to improved quality.  Download

The Impact of Yield Improvements on Profitability

By implementing methods to measure process quality, improvements can be made that lead to increased profits.  Download