Military Grade Circuit Design Rules
The manufacturer must design the military-grade PCB from scratch. You can do this by using IPC Class 3 part, which is the highest IPC standard. The manufacturer must consider the design, fabrication, layout, and material selection when using this standard. Includes the collection of laminates, coating thickness, material qualification, manufacturing processes, and inspections.
- Ensure that the boards can handle the highest level of the current load
- You must separate the components which are high-frequency from low-frequency components.
- For effective heat dissipation, use of thermal compounds.
- Verify the thermal profiles for reflow and wave soldering processes before assembly begins.
- For smooth current transmission, keep the printed circuit board routings at 45 degrees.
- To verify the PCB design, software simulation programs are necessary.
By following these military rules, the PCB designs will be top-notch and error-free. If the manufacturer uses Class 3, it makes it a high-performance PCB. It implies that you cannot entertain any mistakes, and the boards will perform an excellent job with no form of malfunction. Such circuit boards are reliable, and you can use them to achieve high performances in military operations. Ensure your manufacturer uses the most top class for PCB -PC-6012DS Class 3A.
Selection of High-quality Military-grade Materials
It very important when you are designing a PCB for military operations. Using high-quality materials ensures that the PCBs will withstand extreme temperatures. The manufacturer must have a clear and in-depth understanding of the different elements, composites, and substrates used in military-grade PCBs’ manufacturing process.
The boards must meet certain levels of flexibility, rigidity, thermal, and electrical requirements. Some substrate materials that the manufacturer can use in the manufacturing process include aluminum, copper, and high-temperature laminates. The articles should be able to withstand high temperatures and humidity. By using thermal compounds for extra shielding and heat dissipation, the PCB will withstand harsh environmental conditions.
Military or government contracts avoid counterfeit parts at all costs. Using low-quality parts poses a risk to the products. It leads to failure and revenue loss. As a manufacturer, ensure to avoid using low-quality parts by vetting the chain of suppliers of your PCB parts.
Coating and Surface Treatment
The surface treatment is the coating the manufacturer puts on the copper covering, which prevents it from oxidation. For military-grade PCB, there are special requirements for coating and surface treatment. Important for hostile environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, dust, water, and vibration.
Using thermal compounds serves the boards’ insulating function because it prevents them from waves that crack solder and extreme heat. It also protects the copper circuits and makes the circuit board’s surface solderable during the assembly process.
The manufacturer must use coating materials such as high-quality acrylic-based sprays or acid-based sprays for coating treatment. This implies that the selection of the right surface finish of the PCB is essential. The surface finish that the manufacturer uses will affect the scrap rate, process yield, cost, amount of rework, and the PCB’s field failure rate.
It is essential to choose the right surface treatment for your military-grade PCB by considering the various procedures’ pros and cons. It will help save time, energy, resources, and money.
The consequences of choosing the wrong surface treatment can be critical as it will impact the quality, reliability, and cost of the military-grade circuit boards. By considering the environment that you will use the products, the manufacturing process will be easier.
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