-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Essential Guide to Surface Finishes
We go back to basics this month with a recount of a little history, and look forward to addressing the many challenges that high density, high frequency, adhesion, SI, and corrosion concerns for harsh environments bring to the fore. We compare and contrast surface finishes by type and application, take a hard look at the many iterations of gold plating, and address palladium as a surface finish.
It's Show Time!
In this month’s issue of PCB007 Magazine we reimagine the possibilities featuring stories all about IPC APEX EXPO 2025—covering what to look forward to, and what you don’t want to miss.
Fueling the Workforce Pipeline
We take a hard look at fueling the workforce pipeline, specifically at the early introduction of manufacturing concepts and business to young people in this issue of PCB007 Magazine.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Let's Talk Testing: Vias for Dummies
November 15, 2016 | Keith M. Sellers, NTS-BALTIMOREEstimated reading time: 1 minute

In simple terms, a circuit board is but a composition of things designed to be connected and not. The number of layers and number of connections make no real difference as the geometry shapes the landscape. The via is but one tool that helps in building the wonder that is a printed circuit board, and in this column, we’ll discuss the via in relation to the variety of types available for use as well as some of the testing that can be performed on them to ensure their reliability.
Suggested Items
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Basics of Component Lead Tinning
04/02/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileThe component lead tinning process serves several critical functions, including removing gold plating, mitigation of tin whiskers, reconditioning of component solderability issues, and alloy conversion from lead-free (Pb-free) to tin-lead or from tin-lead to lead-free for RoHS compliance. We will cover each of these topics in more detail in upcoming columns.
Airbus to Design and Build ESA’s ExoMars Rover Lander Platform
03/31/2025 | AirbusAirbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space (TAS - a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%)), the ExoMars industrial prime contractor, to build key systems for the ExoMars lander that will safely place the Rosalind Franklin rover on the surface of the Red Planet.
The Chemical Connection: Surface Finishes for PCBs
03/31/2025 | Don Ball -- Column: The Chemical ConnectionWriting about surface finishes brings a feeling of nostalgia. You see, one of my first jobs in the industry was providing technical support for surface cleaning processes and finishes to enhance dry film adhesion to copper surfaces. I’d like to take this opportunity to revisit the basics, indulge in my nostalgia, and perhaps provide some insight into why we do things the way we do them in the here and now.
PCB007 Magazine: The Essential Guide to Surface Finishes—March 2025
03/17/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn the March 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine, we go back to basics, recount a little history, and look forward to addressing the many challenges that high density, high frequency, adhesion, SI, and corrosion concerns for harsh environments bring to the fore.
Marcy's Musings: The Golden Touch?
03/18/2025 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsCorrosion, adhesion, bonding—the comprehensive issue of surface finish plating is primary for PCB manufacturers and their assembly counterparts. Gold is the standard for many applications, but it is expensive and has its limits. This issue of PCB007 Magazine leads with a deep dive into the various iterations of gold plating by the engineering team at MKS Atotech.