Your Trusted Altium PCB Manufacturer

PCBMay- Your Premier Altium PCB Manufacturer in China

It is so easy to manage a tremendous PCB prototyping business if you have the assistance of the PCBMay foundation. We are self-reliant in providing you with absolute and quick-turn services with your PCB needs and requirements.

Since 2008, PCBMay admires as the world-best manufacturer of durable PCB prototyping components, especially the Altium PCBs. We have headed the massive production scale of Altium PCB production for both local and international outlets.

Whenever you avail of our Altium PCB, you can visibly witness its functional distinction. In the manufacturing stages, we make sure that we only use those typical characteristics of materials that obtain the satisfaction requirements of our customers. Through the fast progression of our high-tech equipment, producing a ton of Altium PCB is straightforward.

For further evidence, our Altium PCB acquired the ISO9001:2008, RoHS, REACH, ISO9001:2015, UL (E477880), and ISO14001:2015 management certifications. Besides, each of our PCB products received endearing protection through the IPC class 2 and 3 surveillance.   

Altium PCB is thoroughly functional in mechanical, automotive, and electrical applications. Modernized, easy, and powerful PCB components in which design with automation software features. It has the competence to connect the different sections of electronic processed format easily. Each element has a unique structural figure that does not trouble your valuable devices; thus, it is a significant advantage to have a consistent performance of your software.

Furthermore, we also categorized our Altium PCB according to purpose. It may be electronic Altium PCB, rigid PCB, rigid-flex PCB, anti-vibration PCB, shock-resistant PCB, and many more. You can purchase it in many sizes, thicknesses, operation power, width, length, capacity, and other powerful features.

Aside from Altium PCB, PCBMay also researches, designs, and layout all varieties of PCB prototyping parts, including the flex-rigid PCB, roger PCB, flexible PCB, and metalcore PCB aluminum PCB, etc. 

Experience the wealthiest production sales and big discount offers only here at PCBMay. We can give provision to the bulk of all your orders. You are also free to leave us your original blueprint for your specific essential in Altium PCB. 

It feels unchallenging to achieve a prosperous PCB business if you have PCBMay at your side. So do not hesitate to reach us.

Stay in touch at PCBMay, and do not forget to check the latest update of our Altium PCB on PCBMay official website!

Altium PCB:  Ultimate FAQ Guide

You would need a PCB for your gadget, which you could design at your leisure. Altium PCB provides you with the ability to create PCB schematics entirely on your own. This method allows you to design a PCB that is specifically tailored to your device’s requirements.

There isn’t a lot of information available regarding the Altium PCB on the Internet. Our customers often ask the functionality, features, testing, and many other questions regarding Altium PCB.

Since PCBMay is well-known as the best PCB manufacturer in China, we wanted to create a FAQ guide on Altium PCBs.

What Is Altium PCB?

An Altium PCB is an electronic structure in which copper conductors establish electrical interconnections on a circuit board. Altium PCB offers mechanical support for electrical components, allowing a device to be placed in an enclosure after being manufactured in Altium.

In the PCB designing process, a particular set of procedures must be followed, which must be following the production process, integrated circuit packing, and the layout of the exposed circuit board.

Designing a particular series of steps to coincide with manufacturing, the board’s architecture, and integrated circuit packaging can be accomplished using Altium, a software application used to do this.

Altium PCB refers to printed circuit boards that have been developed using Altium. Altium PCB allows you to design the PCB of your dreams.

Altium PCB

How To Design An Altium PCB?

The only principle to which Altium PCB design must adhere is the schematic, which determines the layers of PCB to be used following the complexity of the schematic diagram of the PCB to be used to incorporate the functions specified by the circuit designers finally.

With the advancement of digital means, PCBs have been extensively used in various areas and are now found in virtually every electronic gadget.

There are many different types of PCB design software, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Altium Designer is used throughout the design process, from schematic diagram creation to PCB design files.

1) To begin, launch Altium Designer and go to the main screen.

2) Because the schematic diagram is entirely composed of connections between schematic symbols, it is necessary first to create the emblems of the schematic diagram.

3) Establishment for PCB packaging.

4) After the schematics symbols of the component and the PCB package have been established, the link between the schematic symbols and the PCB package is found.

5) Designing a schematic diagram.

PCB Designed By Altium

What Is The Composition Of Altium PCB?

Altium PCBs are usually flat laminated composite made from non-conductive substrate materials with layers of copper circuitry buried internally or on external surfaces.

They can be as simple as one or two layers of copper, or in high-density applications, they can have 40 layers or more.

Altium PCB Composition

You will need these six essential components for the composition of your Altium PCB.

Prepreg

Glass fabrics soaked in resin and cured after being placed in a specific device are known as prepreg. It begins as a liquid applied to the fabric in the form of FR4 epoxy, Teflon, and various resins, amongst other things. The glass acts as a physical substrate, holding its resin in position as it cures.

Laminate

Laminates, also known as copper-clad laminates, are made up of prepreg sheets that have been bonded together using pressure and heat, with copper foil sheets on each side of the prepreg sheets. A PCB laminate looks and feels similar to a plastic laminate when the resin cures, with layers of copper layer on both surfaces.

Copper foil

To make the circuitry, you must etch the copper foil from the laminate’s surfaces. Eventually, these copper circuits will be used as conductors, or electrical wire, on the board’s interior and exterior layers.

Soldermask

Soldermask is a greenish epoxy covering that protects the circuitry on the board’s exterior layers. Because the inner circuits are hidden in prepreg layers, there is no need to safeguard them from damage. Soldermask protects the wires on the exterior of the PCB from damage.

Nomenclature

When you look at an Altium PCB, the white letters atop of solder mask covering are known as nomenclature, silkscreen. Nomenclature is the writing that indicates each element is supposed to go onboard and, in some instances, gives orientation for the components.

Surface finish

The surface finishes on a circuit board ensure its safety and easy soldering. This is accomplished using metallization such as soldered joints, nickel, silver, gold, and others.

What Are The Altium PCB Applications?

Altium PCBs have an advantage over other PCBs in that you can customize them to your specifications. As a result, you can use this PCB on almost any device. Altium PCB opens the door to new possibilities in the field of electronics.

Altium PCB is used in a variety of applications, including the following:

Industrial Application

With the widespread use of Altium PCB, the industry sector has seen a substantial increase in productivity. The output of the machine is increased as a result of the performance of Altium PCB.

• Some instances of how Altium PCB is used in the industrial sector are as follows:-
• Generators and power sources
• Distribution of electrical power
• Machines for assembling parts
• Presses

Consumer Electronics

The below are some of the applications of Altium PCB in consumer devices:

• Mobile phones
• PC
• Television
• Wearables, and so forth.

Medical Sector

Altium PCBs in medical equipment are tailored to their purposes, so they meet several lab and care facilities and testing situations. The following are examples of Altium PCB uses in the medical field:

• Cardiac pacemakers
• Heart rate monitors
• EMG activity generation systems
• Systems for regulating the flow rate
• infusion fluid metering controls
• Device for peristaltic infusion

Altium PCB In Medical Sector

How To Create Altium PCB From Schematic?

Altium Designer makes it simple to create your PCB from a schematic in a graphical environment. We’ll take a close look at it and determine what has to be done to bring it into sync with a fresh new PCB design.

The procedure for converting a schematic into PCB layout in Altium is made up of 3 straightforward steps:

Step 1: Prepare for the Synchronization of the Design.

It is the goal of Step 1 to identify and correct any design infractions in your schematic that prevent your schematics from being synced with the PCB layout.

Once your PCB design has been produced, this initial synchronization phase will guarantee that any changes made to the schematic may be instantly integrated into the PCB layout without having to start again.

Step 2: Import design data onto a PCB using the Schematic Capture Tool.

The next step is to transfer the board into a new PCB layout using a schematic capture tool. You’ll need to make a new PCB file in the existing project and use the circuit design tool to transfer the footprints for your parts into the new PCB file.

Step 3: Specify the layers in your stack.

For the new PCB, you’ll create a layer stack in Step 3. Once you’ve finished these three stages, you may begin organizing parts and routing trails between them to complete your design.

Altium PCB From Schematic

What Are The Types Of Altium PCB?

Each Altium PCB is designed for particular purposes, and no individual PCB can be used across several devices. Because of the inherent customizability needed in PCB design, designers and engineers demand design tools that can be utilized to create PCBs for a wide range of applications.

The categories of  Altium PCBs are:

• Single Side
• Double Side
• Multilayer
• Rigid board
• Flexible board
• Rigid-flex board

Multilayer Altium PCB

How To Select Components In Altium PCB?

Selecting components in Altium Designer requires your left mouse button; pressing it without moving the cursor chooses an item while moving the mouse in combination with the button selection.

Choosing PCB Components In Altium

The drag-and-select feature is quite identical to the previous one. Optionally, you can choose to pick just those things that fall inside the limits of the drawn square, or you can choose to select everything the drawn rectangle comes into contact with.

There is a noticeable difference between the two pictures above, where the “Select Within” box is formed from left to right and thus appears in blue, whereas the “Select Touching” appears in green.

Even though this is a crucial component in Altium Designer, it is essential to understand how it works for people from previous CAD systems that did not have this functionality. New users may find themselves sketching rectangle after rectangle without picking the comparable items they are anticipating to be able to.

If you are curious about the component selection capabilities in Altium PCB, have a look at this video.

What Are The Features Of Altium PCB?

The most crucial feature of Altium PCB is that it can be customized to meet your specific needs. Altium PCB includes several unique characteristics, including the following:

Part Selection

The benefit of using Altium PCB is that you may pick and choose whatever components you want to use. You have the option of selecting the finest components that are currently accessible. Eventually, it raises the overall power of the gadget.

Board Materials

Diverse kinds of PCBs are used for different purposes. Additionally, the PCB coating is utilized in a variety of areas.

Power and Signal Integrity

If your Altium PCB is adequately designed, it can provide you with the power and signal integrity that will allow your device to operate at its peak.

Altium PCB Features

What Is The Standard Thickness Of Altium PCB?

Various variables come into play when buying and constructing a PCB, including the profile, weight, and parts. The PCB thickness, on the other hand, is one of the most important considerations.

The thickness impacts its conductance and resistance, which are essential factors that must be taken into account when designing your PCB. Usually, the thickness of a PCB has a significant impact on its functioning.

The usual Altium PCB depth is 0.063 inches or 1.57mm; this is a specified threshold that has been established in previous years. This is because during the plywood industry’s heyday, the sheets used as a substrate for electrical equipment, which included PCBs, were just 0.063″ in depth.

PCB Thickness

What Is The Altium PCB Assembly Process?

It takes several steps to assemble an Altium PCB, which you can find here. All stages of the procedure must be completed correctly for the overall process to operate smoothly.

Altium PCB assembly process-

Tools

The bare minimum of tools required for Altium PCB assembly operation-

• Soldering iron.
• Pliers
• Wirecutter
• A voltage meter

 Soldering devices

There is plenty of equipment for soldering. In the Altium PCB assembly process, there is an appropriate amount of soldering iron power is around 15 to 30 watts. When choosing soldering equipment, the tips must be easy to replace and come in many sizes.

Solder Types

You are faced with two main options in the Altium PC board world. Lead and lead-free. On the other hand, most manufacturers use lead-free soldering in their production process due to environmental concerns.

Soldering method

Use enough solder to ensure the pieces are connected. Avoid using cold solder joints at all times. Inadequate heat or heating may lead to cold solder contacts. While soldering, keep from breathing in the flux fumes, which is hazardous for you.

Electronic Parts

In this method, the components include inductors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, SMT, as well as other electrical elements. It is pretty cheap to buy each component separately, and you may do so.

PCB Electronic Parts

PCB Design

Enjoyable and productive are two positive words to describe making your PCBs. Most PCBs are built using CAD software. They are too costly to operate.

Altium PCB designers can provide you reasonable pricing for an Altium PCB layout. They will help you with your PCB design if you lack experience.

Rework

Rework is essential to the assembly operation for Altium PCB, and it is thus a standard part of the operation. There may be many things wrong with your circuit board, which is why it’s essential to redo everything.

Below, you will find a video that will give you a better grasp of the Altium PCB assembly.

Is Altium PCB better than Eagle PCB?

It’s a toss-up between the two. More functions exist in Altium PCB, but its software is also costly. Its goal is unmistakably focused on large businesses. Altium PCB will be the obvious choice for a company if it is more significant than average.

Eagle PCB has several drawbacks, although inexpensive versions are available. You can no longer purchase Eagle since you will need to sign up for the Autodesk subscription model instead. For your leisure time, you can also use it to make a PCB to design.

Altium PCB Vs. Eagle PCB

What Are The Altium PCB Testing Process?

Testing Altium PCBs is necessary. PCB testing may save money and detect flaws before goods are deployed.

The following are among the most common PCB testing methods used in corporations:

In-Circuit testing

It is the most feasible test for PCBs as it needs minimal adjustments. The major drawback is the cost.

This test evaluates the solder connection’s structural integrity. The nail bed utilized in this testing pushes the board into the bed of probes, starting the test.

Automated Optical Inspection

This is called AOI testing. Using a 2D or 3D camera, a trained professional takes photographs of your PCB and compares them to a standard schematic. Any deviation from the design will result in a failure.

AOI Testing

X-ray inspection

It is also known as AXI.   Alternatively, you can take a 3D AXI test, which is faster.

X-rays can detect weak connections, including solder joints. A qualified individual must conduct this exam.

Functional testing

Customers demand this test. This testing requires UL, MSHA certifications.

This testing can involve peel, solderability, and TDR tests.

Aside from saving money, functional PCB testing can mimic a working environment and detect defective components.

What Are Altium PCB Benefits?

Altium PCBs, while they are in the minority, have taken hold in manufacturers’ thinking thanks to their advanced capabilities. Altium offers some very impressive stuff. Let’s take a look.

Altium PCB Benefits

• Altium PCB can be mass-produced at a lower price.
• It is tiny, but its excellent wire management helps it shine.
• Altium PCB coating provides insulation from the elements for the board and circuitry.
• It offers improved effectiveness across the board.
• It’s pretty long-lasting and resistant to corrosion.
• A heat reflector is no longer needed because of this.

What Is The Altium PCB Fabrication Process?

The PCB design phase includes the design, testing, and manufacturing of circuit boards.

Preventing short circuits or incomplete circuits in the finished product requires a CAD program and machine-driven gear at many stages.

● Designing

The first stage is making an Altium PCB design. You can design the PCB in Altium or other software essentials.

● PCB Design Printing

Once you’ve completed your review of the design, it’s ready to go to the printer. To finish the layout, print it on the PCBs ‘Film.’

● Copper Layer

During this layer, actual production occurs. Copper is placed on the board, which takes on structural support for the board after the print.

● Copper Removal

Excess copper can damage PCBs. It must be removed before manufacturing can continue.

PCB Copper Removal

● Layer Alignment

After cleaning the PCB layers, align them.

● Layer Lamination

The layers are all bonded together into a single unit. The layers are merged when they are deemed free of errors.

● Drilling

X-ray equipment is used to locate the drill location on the object before drilling begins. This step is needed for the PCB to stack correctly. A computer-guided drill creates the holes.

After drilling, the excess copper is placed around the hole’s edge.

How To Reverse Engineer Altium PCB?

Of course.

But it takes time, patience, and tools. Reverse engineering an Altium PCB also impacts your comfort with the software as well as board.

Here are a few tools needed to reverse engineer an Altium PCB:

• Magnification glass
• Calculator for tracing
• CAD
• Multimeter

Altium PCB Reverse Engineering

How To Use Test Point In Altium PCB?

Testing is an essential component of board production. Post-fabrication testing ensures there are no shorts or open circuits. A board is frequently retested after it has been completely assembled to verify signal quality and device functioning. Having a grid of test points on the board helps immensely in this process.

Altium PCB Test Point

• Consider the testing procedures and related fixtures when deciding which board side to accept test points.
• Bare-board testing often uses test points below components. This should be considered while locating test points on assembled boards.
• All test points should be on board’s one side if required utilizing vias. The reason is that a dual-head testing fixture costs more.
• Making a setup to examine the board becomes more expensive as your test points get more complicated. Building generic testability is the best philosophy. Practical testing of various designs requires a well-defined test point policy that can be easily modified.
• Any design needs for through tenting should be carefully considered. Covering test points that have been labeled as test points will stop test probes from touching them.
• Consult directly with your manufacturing and assembly companies to ensure any unique design requirements are addressed. Instances of this may include tighter clearances between test points and components than standard installation and routing clearances.

How To Select The Right Altium PCB Manufacturer?

Choosing the finest Altium PCB manufacturer was never easy. A specialized PCB maker must design and produce the boards. Selecting the proper PCB manufacturer may make the task much simpler or more complex.

Listed below are some factors to consider when selecting an Altium PCB manufacturer:

PCB Quality

Quality is the primary priority when selecting a PCB manufacturer. PCB quality is classified as follows:

• Proper board dimensions
• Minimum flexibility of the board
• All holes are drilled and positioned correctly.
• IPC-A-610 certification
• RoHS or Lead-Free manufacturing

Manufacturing cost

When choosing the best PCB manufacturer, price is the main factor. Cost reduction increases a product’s profitability.

However, you must not compromise quality to save money. To get the most value for money, you must balance quality and pricing.

Ability to cooperate

Another essential element is the ability to work well with a company.

Conclusion

Altium PCBs have to be reliable at all times. Its numerous benefits promote the entire performance of electronic appliances. We discussed design, manufacturing, and assembly in this FAQ guide.

PCBMay produces and assembles Altium PCBs with the help of experts. We hope this FAQ guide will benefit you to experience the optimum PCB performance. Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions.