Revisiting the Useful Introduction to Blank PCB Boards 2024

What is it used for

All PCB designs and setups start on a blank circuit board. It is the primary and most fundamental part of a circuit board.

While it provides a station where the components are secured, it also ensures that each member follows its designated locations depending on a given design.

With adequately secured features, efficient and proper current flow is achieved, thus eliminating issues such as overheating, electromagnetic issues, starved thermals, etc.

A blank circuit board is always essential for designing and making any circuit board.

This enables the proper flow of current through the design and makes the system function properly.

How to use a blank PCB board

To make PCBs, the user usually prints the layout or design on a circuit board.

The plan would come with symbols as to which component should go to a specific part of the board.

As soon as the final design is printed on the panel, the holes are cut according to the specified locations and dimensions.

Blank PCB Board—Composition

Although most blank circuit boards are made from copper or are termed ‘copper-clad, ‘ this doesn’t mean that they are entirely made from copper and that their interior is made of copper alone.

Using copper as a coating for the board makes it more heating-resistant than other conductors.

It is added to other materials, such as silicon, to make the blank circuit board sturdier and rust-resistant.

With its high endurance to heat, the board will have lesser chances of bending or curling whenever considerable heat or overheating occurs within the components.

Look For These Types of Blank Printed Circuit Boards 

• AIN PCB
• Alumina PCB
• FR-4 PCB
• Rigid Flex PCB
• Flexible PCB
• Metal Core PCB

Common Applications of Blank PCBs

printed circuit board

PCBs are common across virtually every industry using electronics, from small consumer household goods such as vacuum cleaners to industrial-level machines such as communication satellites and MRI machines. 

These are some detailed common applications of black PCBs. 

Running Tests

Etching is a final process during PCB production. Therefore, skilled manufacturers and engineers will use blank PCBs to perform functionality tests before etching.

It ensures there are fewer or no faulty PCBs in the final batch. 

Creating Prototypes

While blank PCBs are good for tests, they can also be a valuable resource in creating prototypes.

They enable you to make different product variations to see the best design strategy. 

Teaching and Instruction

Blank PCBs make a solid instruction manual for anyone learning electronic design and circuit board function.

Since they have no components for a start, they are used daily to show how to build PCBs from scratch. 

Custom Designing New PCBs

Blank PCBs are good backgrounds for creating circuit boards that only fit specific components to create custom products.

The manufacturer can design hyper specific designs only fit for one purpose. Furthermore, the custom blank PCB can be a reference point if the manufacturer decides to do bulk orders. 

PCB Repair

If a blank PCB lets you design and customize PCBs in mass production, it would be the perfect board to repair or rework faulty PCBs in an assembly.

Since they’ll have a common design, you can easily replace a damaged PCB and create a new one with the same design using a blank one. 

Making A Blank PCB Board

automated manufacturing soldering and assembly PCB board

There’s a difference between printed circuit boards and blank PCBs. To make the circuit board, assemble these materials. 

• Protective gear such as nitrile gloves
• Copper laminate board
• Acetone or isopropyl alcohol
• Etching tray
• Ferric chloride etchant

Making blank PCBs is a four-step procedure. 

Line Draft

The manufacturer first makes sketches in a layout program such as PROTEL. Then, the sketch is printed on laser printer toner transfer paper or tracing paper and left to dry fully.

Light Exposure

At this point, the blank board is still light-sensitive. The board is put under a lamp to solidify the line sketch imprint. 

Developing the Board

This step might involve toner transfer. The paper print goes on the copper board with the layout side facing down.

The manufacturer wipes the sensitizer to present a sketch of the developed area. 

Etching

The ferric chloride etchant is poured into the etching tray. The board is then dipped into the etchant to remove the unwanted copper foil. 

What remains is a fully done blank PCB ready for component insertion. 

Blank PCB Testing

Blank PCB tests ensure the boards meet the highest standards before component connection. 

Visual Testing

Before anything else, a blank PCB must pass the visual inspection stage for cracks or spills. 

In-Circuit Testing

This testing is an electrical test to check whether the bare board has total conductivity. It also tests for capacitance and resistance on the board.

Automated Optical Tests

This process is automated. It checks the board’s physical aspects and ensures they align with the design specifications.

At this stage, thickness, area, and component placement points must meet design guidelines.

PCB test

Automated X-RAY Testing

Blank PCB X-ray testing checks for flaws below surface level. It’s different from the first visual test, which checks target sections for hidden visual defects. 

Functional Tests

A functionality test on blank PCBs is the penultimate stage of inspection. It looks at the entire batch of blank PCBs produced.

It checks whether all the blank boards work per guidelines and design. 

The blank PCBs might be placed in a simulated environment and passed through rigorous quality control checks. 

Flying Probe Testing

A flying probe test is almost similar to an in-circuit test. However, unlike the in-circuit test, the flying probe uses hovering fixed movable tests to test the board’s functionality above and below.

Conversely, an in-circuit test uses a nail bed to test board functionality. 

Pros of Blank Circuit Board for Milling

digital circuit board with microchips

Milling is a preferred over-etching process, especially when dealing with small surface-mount devices.
A manufacturer might pick milling for these advantages. 

• It allows the manufacturer the freedom to avoid automatic leveling. The final product still maintains fitting and pathway flexibility. 
• Milling is good for mass production. Machining ensures a uniform final product.
• Precise milling on blank circuit boards ensures top-grade modularity. 
• It is highly affordable. Furthermore, it is a safe cost-cutting strategy.
• Given the time, it also saves time. 

For all its advantages, there are also downsides. 

Cons of Blank Circuit Board for Milling

• There is a risk of losing too much copper or leaving some copper traces. The etching process is usually responsible for this mismatch, which eventually interferes with the board circuitry. 
• Small flaws compromise the entire board’s functionality. Flaws include any missed imperfections during milling or testing. 
• It might not yield the best results for complex designs. Also, it might be less accurate if you’re dealing with designs that need a lot of designs. 

Consider These Key Factors When Sourcing Blank PCBs  

Before considering your considerations, look for a qualified blank PCB board supplier. One supplier will have all these considerations in place.

First, you should check the supplier’s certifications.

You know you’re in good hands if they meet standard ISO certifications plus RoHS and REACH environmental compliance. 

Blank Circuit Board Material

Since the material determines electrical and thermal conductivity, durability, and structural integrity, choose the material used for the board carefully.

You have various substrate material options, including flexible substrates, FR-4, and aluminum. 

Lead Time

If you’re running a time-sensitive operation, you must work with a manufacturer that can provide reliable lead times for the entire production.

You can also allocate time for checks, repairs, and corrections. 

Blank PCB Board Price 

If you’re going to need blank PCB boards in bulk, the issue of costs becomes sensitive. It would be best to consider a manufacturer with substantial cost savings.

They’ll need to find a cost and quality balance to produce high-quality flawless boards at a good price. 

Quality Control

Quality control of electronic components on PCB

Your source needs to be able to test and provide quality assurance at the point of production before delivery. Check how many quality checks they run on the boards before releasing the final batches to you. 

Logistics

Can your manufacturer handle packaging and delivery?

A manufacturer able to handle shipping and logistics means you can consolidate production and delivery of the PCBs and probably cost you less. 

Customer Service

Don’t overlook customer support when picking a provider for your PCB blanks. You need an open and active communication channel if there are errors in the final product. Also, they need to be responsive to extra orders on short notice. 

Blank PCB Board—Where to buy

Finding a blank PCB board was quite a challenge back in the day because of the limited providers and technology that could mass-produce this product.

However, with our current advancements, we can procure blank circuit boards for our PCB design needs anytime and anywhere.

Today, however, with the increasing number of providers with different prices and quality of products, it becomes challenging to choose which company to buy from.

However, when it comes to the quality of blank PCB boards, one name is more popular than others, and this is WellPCB.

It has various blank circuit boards and PCB services that comply with standards.

While they supply users with the highest-quality PCB products, they also advise clients and customers on the best options for their specific PCB designs.