Trustworthy Printer PCB Manufacturer in China

PCBMAY – The Expert in Printer PCB Fabrication

If you are serious about the quality of your printer and other printer-related products, then you need to consider using the best Printer PCB out there. This is where PCBMay’s Printer PCB comes in. Without this vital piece, the electric signals on your printer will not connect. And your printer will malfunction. Definitely, you need a Printer PCB from PCBMay – it does not fail.

• Suitable for Home and Office Printers
• Custom-made Printer PCB for Industrial Printers (e.g. Flexo machine and Offset Printers)
• 100% defect-free
• In case of problem, we assist immediately
• Updated PCB manufacturing facilities

We are proud to say that we are the best producer of Printer PCBs in China. There are several reasons, the top being our industry expertise. PCBMay has been making PCBs of all kinds since 2008. For all these years that we have been making PCBs, we have handled all sorts of PCB orders—RF PCBs, Power Supply PCBs, Wearable PCBs—you name it, we’ve made it.

When it comes to customer service, you get the best treatment because we pay attention to your needs carefully. If your order is small, we don’t have a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). If your order is a large one, we have the capacity to produce large-scale. If your order is customized, we have professional engineers/IT personnel to handle that.

Whatever type of Printer PCB you need for the home, the office, or business, PCBMay can supply.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact PCBMay now to order your Printer PCB.  We are always here for you.

Printer PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

When you think about electronics, printers might not come in first. But printers are among the essential electronics, so the printer PCB. When it comes to PCBs, it also brings several questions about printer PCB, including types, making, etc.

Printer PCB is the core of functioning the printers. Today, we will explore the printer PCB industry by answering several questions relatable. So, let’s dig into the depths of the printers and printer PCBs.

What Is Printer PCB?

A printer or printing machine is a device that accepts texts and graphical content and allows the transfer and print of the information onto paper. The text and graphics come from computers or smartphones, or other smart-screened devices.

PCB is the core functional board onto the electronics. The printed circuit board used inside the printer to operate its functions is a printer PCB. Printers vary in size and types based on different aspects. Impact and non-impact printers are different types operated by computers.

A PCB Inside Printer

There are different types of printers available with different printer PCBs. 3D printer PCB, inkjet printer PCB, stencil printer PCBs, etc., are among them. We will briefly discuss the printer types in a later section of this article.

How To Make A Printer PCB?

While it is about making a printer PCB, design steps come. To make a printer PCB, you will need software and physical tasks. You can start the design with software like Altium, Solidworks, or other tools. Let’s start the design phase.

Draw The Schematic

Schematic is the blueprint of your printer PCB. With a schematic, you will understand what the PCB looks like. It also shows which components are used, how they connect each other, and the relationship among them.

Create PCB Layout

Now, create a PCB layout using the design software. Import the schematic into the layout using the schematic capture tool. Set the PCB shape, layers, stack up, etc., on the PCB layout.

Making PCB Board

Make the PCB board with the proper materials which are needed. Determine which material you will use to make the board. You can use FR4, Teflon, Polyamide, aluminum, or other materials.

PCB Board

Printing The Layout

Now, print the visual PCB layout of the PCB on the PCB board. Now your layout appears on the board. The board is ready for the next step.

Etch The Conductive Traces

Now is the time to etch the conductive copper traces to flow the current across the board. You can do this in different ways, chemical etching, laser printer PCB etching, 3D printer PCB etching, etc.

Coating The Surface

After successfully etching the traces, coat the printer PCB board with various surface and traces coating chemicals. Surface finish, solder mask, or other protective chemicals could implement the protective coating on the printer PCB.

Placing And Soldering Components

Now, the time is to place the necessary components, establish a connection among them, and solder them. Soldering will connect the components permanently. You could also use press-fitting component mounting as well.

How To Etch Conductive Traces On Printer PCB?

Etching is the technique of creating conductive copper traces on printer PCBs to conduct electricity. In general, you have three options for etching your conductive traces: laser printer PCB etching, 3D printer PCB milling, or thermal pressure etching.

It is not difficult to etch a PCB using a laser printer PCB etching. On the laser machine, you must set the tracing design. Place the copper clad board in front of the laser printer and turn on the PCB etching equipment. The equipment will place a laser print on the PCB and form the board with traces automatically.

After lasering the copper layer on the board, immerse it in an etching solution containing 40% ferric chloride and 40% water. Shake the board into the etching solution using a glass stick.

Conductive Traces

Allow 20 to 25 minutes for the board to soak in the solution. Then take the board out and scrub and wash it well. Except for the copper on the traces, the additional copper on the board has been removed.

Let’s check on how laser printer PCB etching works:

What Are The Traces Designing Considerations To Prevent Electromagnetic Interference?

Electromagnetic interference(EMI) is a disturbance on the components, and the conductive layers of printer PCBs generated from external sources. It affects the electrical circuits by electromagnetic inductance. This disturbance degrades the performance of the circuits.

So, you have to be careful while designing the conductive traces on the PCBs. Following steps could be taken to reduce EMI on PCBs.

• Avoid the angles of 45 degrees to 90 degrees for traces, vias, and other parts. Capacitance on the capacitors increases when the traces reach an angle of 45 degrees or more. Then the impedance changes and results in EMI. This problem might be avoided by designing the traces less than 45 degrees.
• Keep high-speed and low-speed traces away from each other. Also, keep the digital and analog signals separated as well. Interference may occur when they are close to each other.

High-Speed Traces Should Be Kept Away From Low-Speed Traces

• Keep the return paths of the current flow short. Path them with the least resistance. The return path should be the same as the transmit paths or shorter than them.
• Utilize vias with the highest correctness. Vias and their peripherals might produce reflections, which results in EMI.

How Many Types Of Printer PCBs Are Available?

With different types of printer PCBs, there are different types of printers available in the market. Now, we will discuss them briefly.

Inkjet Printer PCB

Inkjet PCB is the most robustly used printer. Inkjet printers print images on paper by spraying patterns with ink. The nozzle on it sprays the ink as vapors. The ink forms the desired print on the paper by passing through a reflecting plate.

Inkjet Printer

3D Printer PCB

3D printer PCB is a relatively new technology. A 3D printer creates natural physical objects with high-quality resin. You can print with the 3D printer with full customization.

Laser Printer PCB

Laser printer PCBs are used in laser printer machines to create high-quality printing. A laser beam is used on the object to produce the printing. Color laser printing is also available in laser printing.

Stencil Printer PCB

A stencil printer does stencil tattoo printing on papers. On the other hand, a high-precision stencil printer helps you place solder paste on your PCB without any hassle. A squeegee blade sprays solder paste on the PCBs.

What Is A Wireless Printer PCB?

The wireless printer PCB technology is used to power wireless printers, sometimes known as WiFi printers. Wireless printers connect to a network without the use of cables or wires. While a wireless printer is linked to a network, cellphones, PCs, tablets, and other mobile devices may connect to the printer in the same network and print through it.

Wireless Printer

You cannot say that the wireless technology is fully wireless since the device needs to be plugged into the electricity to power up. Wireless printers might be an ideal option while you need to set your printer anywhere. There are several benefits are here to use printers with wireless printer PCBs, such as:

• No hassle of wires
• Simple setup
• Remote printing
• Lower printing cost with shared printing
• Device independence

What Is The Working Principle Of Wireless Printer PCB?

Wireless technology works in two ways: infrared and radio waves. Infrared and radio frequencies are both used by WiFi, and Bluetooth uses only the radio frequency.

Infrared waves function similarly to the remote control on your television and other remote-controlled devices. Infrared signals are sent from the base unit to the receiving unit. In the infrared signal system, the range is restricted to 7 meters or fewer. For the infrared signals to be adopted by the receiving devices, an adaptor is also necessary.

On the other hand, the radio wave is more potent than the infrared employed by WiFi and Bluetooth. The radio frequency transceiver has a 2.4 GHz bandwidth and works in the unlicensed ISM band. A frequency hopping transceiver is used in the radio frequency fundamental system to combat interference and fading.

2.4 GHz Transmitter And Receiver

In Bluetooth technology, a wireless transmitter and a receiver are used to send and receive radio frequency. Computers, smartphones, or tablets hold the transmitter to send data to the wireless printer. On the other hand, the wireless printer PCBs hold the receiver to receive the signal from the devices.

What Are Via And Its Types In Printer PCB?

Vias are conductive electrical paths created by drilling the layers of the printer PCBs. Mainly, vias are used in multilayer PCBs to connect the multiple layers electrically with each other.

For double-sided PCB and multilayers PCB, vias are bored and connect the layers to flow electricity. The vias allow the components to flow sufficient current from one layer to other layers.

Vias On PCB

Mainly, three types of vias are drilled through printer PCBs.

Through-Hole Via

Through-hole via is the most robust PCB vias. It goes from the surface layer to the end layer, connecting each layer of the printer PCBs. A single through-hole goes through each layer.

Buried Via

With the buried vias, the inner layers of the printer PCBs are connected. The via is not shown from outside of the boards.

Blind Via

Blind vias connect the surface layer of the PCBs with the very next layer. Besides, on the surface layer, you would not see the blind vias on the opposite side of the printer PCBs.

Why Is High Heat Generated In Printer PCB?

High heat is a sensitive issue in printer PCBs. High heat can damage PCBs in many ways. There are several reasons for the high heat on PCBs. Let’s try to find out the reasons.

Malfunction Of A Component Dissipation

The act of causing something to disperse is known as dissipation. One of the most prevalent reasons for excessive temperatures on printer PCBs is for this reason. Malfunction component dissipation happens when a component is unable to provide the anticipated amount of power.

Use Of Lead-Free Solder

RoHS compliant PCBs use lead-free solders that need more temperature to flow current freely.

Lead-Free Paste Needs More Temperature To Flow Current Freely

Circuits With A High Frequency

One of the primary reasons for increased heat generation is the usage of high-frequency circuits on the printer PCB. For example, radio frequency is a high-frequency circuit that generates a lot of heat on PCBs.

Distance Between Surface-Mount Devices

The circuits on the PCBs are connected using through-hole and surface mount components. High heat must be created for a purpose if they are not put at the proper distance. They shouldn’t be too near to a source of the constant disturbance. They should also not be too far apart to traverse more pathways and generate more heat.

How Can Excessive Heat Damage The Printer PCB?

So, while you get high heat on your printer PCB, it may be damaged in many ways by performance and physically. Your PCB could be harmed in the following ways.

Structural Deterioration

High temperatures may cause severe damage to the PCBs’ integration. When the temperature is high, the layers of the PCBs quickly shift. They may be expanded or lose mass, breadth, and thickness if they become too heated.

Material Expansion Rate Get Incompatible

Dielectric layers and conductive material layers are the two types of layers found on PCBs. When exposed to intense heat, the rate of expansion of various materials varies. As a result, the distinct layers may separate.

Oxidation

Overheating might cause oxidation of the PCB materials.

High Heat Causes Trace Oxidation

Damage Of Circuit

When the PCBs become too hot, the circuit lines grow. Circuits may be destroyed as a result. Frequency shifting, distortion, and direct losses can all affect the circuitry. Because of the overheat, the conductor’s impedance may alter from its standard value.

What Are Efficient Ways To Prevent High Temperature On Printer PCB?

As we have seen, overheating is a vital issue in the PCB industry, and it is critical to prevent high temperatures. So, what could we do to prevent the high temperature? We can do it in many ways.

• Use heatsink on the printer PCBs. The heatsinks consume the overheat on PCB and keep the components cool so that overheating cannot damage the board or components.

Heatsink Consumes Excessive Temperature

• The most effective way of preventing high heat on the PCB is to choose heat-resistant materials. Heavy and thick copper can be used to form the printer PCB board. FR4 is one of the most heat-resistant materials as well.
• Use thick plates for the PCBs. Comparatively, thicker plates consume more heat, and even more, heat is required to overheat them.
• Apply PCB laminate to prevent high heat. High-frequency PCB laminates prevent overheating issues on the PCBs,

What Is Grounding And Why Is It Important For Printer PCB?

Grounding is the technique to facilitate a return path for the current flow to return to the ground if any fault is found on the wiring. It facilitates a physical connection between the PCB equipment and the ground.

It is ordinarily alluded to as the zero-expected hub, and any remaining voltages in the framework are estimated according to it. Different types of nodes exist, which refer to grounds such as floating ground, earthing, chassis ground, AC ground, and virtual ground.

Proper Grounding Safeguards The PCBs

Grounding is one of the most critical safeguards against overheating, shock, and short circuits for electrical components. Electrical circuits are protected against overloading under harsh weather conditions or overloading on the electrical-current hub by proper grounding.

Grounding regulates voltage levels and ensures that current flows with the least amount of resistance to Earth. This protects PCBs from severe damage and death.

What Is The Importance Of Dielectric Constant And Dielectric Loss Tangent In Printer PCB?

The materials used in high-frequency and high-speed applications must have a constant dielectric constant. This includes a wide range of frequency and speed. The two most important aspects in maintaining the dielectric constant are controlled impedance and signal integrity.

The dielectric constant (Er), also known as relative permittivity (DK), usually falls between 3.5 and 5.5. The lower Er or DK, the better the electric components’ performance.

However, if the dielectric loss tangent (Tan δ ) or dissipation factor (Df) is low, the PCB material will lose less power. Tan δ has a range of 0.02 to 0.001 in general. Tan may be increased if the frequency is increased. It has a greater significance and is linked to analog signals.

What Should You Consider For Making A Durable And Efficient Printer PCB?

Getting an efficient and durable printer PCBs is a must for your personal use or if you want to do business with them. A faulty unit of printer PCBs can drive you to a massive loss in your business. That is why you have to ensure the quality of your PCBs.

• Before you start building PCBs, make sure you have a suitable design in mind.
• Design the layout efficiently and create the PCB board with high-quality materials such as FR4, Teflon, etc.

FR4 Epoxy Resin

• Ensure the use of high-quality components.
• Carefully mount components and ensure correct grounding.
• Ensure that the workplace is well-managed and well-decorated.
• Test the PCBs using a variety of ways.
• Traces must be etched efficiently while leaving enough space between high-speed and low-speed traces.
• The conductive layers and the surface must be laminated and coated.

What Is Component Mounting Technology In Printer PCB?

The procedure or technique used to mount the printer PCB’s components on the surface of the PCB board is known as the component mounting technology. You can use three types of mounting technology: through-hole assembly, surface mounting, and press-fit.

Through-Hole Technology

With the through-hole component mounting technology, you have to drill the surface of the PCB board to insert the components into them. Then use soldering to attach them permanently with the board.

Through-Hole Component Mounting

Surface Mounting Process (SMT)

With the surface mounting technology, you would place the components on the pads of the surface and solder them instead of drilling the board. SMT is a revolutionary component of mounting technology in the modern era.

Press-Fit Technology

Press pin and press-fit connector power up the assembly of the components on the surface of the board. No drilling and no soldering are required in press-fit component mounting technology.

What Are Multilayer Printer PCBs?

The printer PCB made with more than conductive layers is the multilayer printer PCB. For more specific, a multilayer PCB must have at least three conductive layers.

Multilayer PCB Stack Up

The PCBs’ core components, such as FR4 or other copper-clad laminates, and prepreg, are bonded together to produce the board’s multilayer. It occurs when temperatures and pressures are incredibly high. You must guarantee that the conductors are adequately enclosed with laminations, that there is no air between the layers, and that the layers have adhered together securely.

What Should You Consider While Choosing A PCB Manufacturer?

When you want to go for bulk production of printer PCBs, a reliable and skilled PCB manufacturer would prioritize manufacturing your PCBs. An unskilled manufacturer might be your headache by producing faulty products. So, it is essential to select the proper PCB manufacturer. A good manufacturer must have the following characteristics.

• Vast experiences in the PCB manufacturing industry
• Having IPC certification
• Bulk manufacturing capabilities
• Cost-efficiency with quality products
• Ability to deliver the product before the deadline
• Highly facilitated working area, etc.

Can A 3D Printer Make A PCB?

Yes, of course. You can make a PCB with the help of a 3D printer. The process the 3D printer PCB maker follows is the 3D printer PCB milling or 3D printer PCB etching.

PCB milling is the process of removing copper areas on the PCB and creating the conductive copper traces, pads, and structure of the PCB. And the 3D printer does this from the setting of the design layout of the PCB that is imported into the 3D printing machine from the PCB design tool.

3D Printer PCB Milling

Unlike chemical etching, 3D printer PCB etching is a non-chemical PCB etching process. The PCB board material does not need to be exposed to the hazardous chemical in the 3D PCB etching. High-quality PCBs are made with 3D PCB milling.

The significant and noticeable advantage is that you don’t need chemicals to etch the conductive traces. In-house PCB building facility is another benefit of 3D PCB printing. Another benefit is that the PCB-making process is super fast.

Check on the video that how 3D printer PCB milling works with efficiency:

How Do PCB Printers Work?

PCB printers employ dielectric and conductive inks to print the PCB layout on the PCB board. This is, in fact, the PCB printer’s primary function. PCB printers are unable to apply solder paste or place components on PCBs. They are used as a prototype option for PCB boards.

The PCB design is printed using a plotter printer. It makes a film that illustrates the complexities and levels of the board.

Conclusion

Remember that making high-frequency PCBs, such as printer PCBs, necessitates careful handling and a detailed design map. While you’re thinking about your company, effective production can only help you get a competitive advantage.

PCBMay offers the most satisfactory printer PCB manufacturing service if you want to stay competitive in the industry. We are ready to give you the best quality services for producing printer PCBs.