Single-Sided Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

Single-sided PCBs, such as simple circuit boards for power supplies, loudspeaker switches, and connectors are quickly and easily manufactured with LPKF ProtoMat plotter systems. Single-sided boards are typically produced on standard FR4 1.6 mm glass fiber epoxy laminate material for low cost, durability, and ease of production.

Single-sided board production:

1. Import and configure the board production data files
2. Drill the holes with the ProtoMat plotter
3. Mill the top of the board
4. Cut out the board
5. Optional: Apply solder mask or solder screen

 

Milling Tools

LPKF plotters have a wide variety of milling tools. These tools remove copper from board material by applying precision tooling to create isolation paths as small as 100 µm (4 mils) and copper rubout areas as large as required.

The following illustration shows a variety of milling and isolation techniques that demonstrate the versatility of LPKF plotters for accomplishing the most exacting board production tasks.

1. Standard isolation – the fastest production time for simple boards.
2. Pad clearance isolation – for easier soldering of components, especially SMD.
3. Micro cut isolation – Micro cutter (0.1 mm) is used only where necessary.
4. Track clearance isolation – wider spacing for high voltage or capacitance.
5. Rubout – complete or partial removal of residual copper.
6. Spike removal – same as item 1, but removes unstable small areas.