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Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
Voices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
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ExpressPCB Announces Upgrades
November 13, 2019 | ExpressPCBEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
ExpressPCB is excited to announce several enhancements to its ExpressPCB Plus Layout Software. These upgrades to the Plus software will allow our customers to continue designing their next project with greater success. New finer pitch parameters are now available in version 2.0 allowing 5 mil trace and space routing, 6 mil finished vias (10 mil drilled holes) and up to 6 copper layers. In addition, we have removed the size/shape constraint on our popular Miniboard Plus products, no longer are you restricted to a 2.5” x 3.8” rectangle. The new Miniboard parameters will allow you to build almost any shape up to 10 square inches per board (some restrictions apply).
“As the electronic industry heads towards tighter pitch components, smaller and faster processors and shrinking PCB sizes, our customers began to express a need to have their layout software and PCB manufacturing provider keep up with the trend. We have gladly accepted this challenge and this release of ExpressPCB Plus gives customers that flexibility. While we were under the hood we also managed to update some of the other pain points that our customers have shared with us as well,” said Michael Hebda, ExpressPCB product manager. “Although we are not yet done improving our software, this was exciting enough we had to get the version 2.0 updates into our customers’ hands. One of the most requested items coming in Q2 2020 is the schematic link. Stay tuned for more enhancements coming in 2020.”
Download ExpressPCB Plus version 2.0 today on our newly updated ExpressPCB.com website.
ExpressPCB continues to add features and services that allow Design Engineers to be as efficient as possible. We help bring your ideas to life with free CAD Software, coupled with the highest quality, lowest US based manufacturing costs possible. Time is money, and reducing design cycles and validation time can have a huge impact on your project.
About ExpressPCB
ExpressPCB® is an established leader in providing software and manufacturing solutions for high quality, low cost, and quick turnaround prototyping. With more than 20 years of experience and over 1 million successfully completed PCB projects behind us, our customers have experienced the difference that we bring in the electronics industry. ExpressPCB is committed to improving the overall process for design engineers of all levels and abilities with the fastest to learn layout software available with seamless integration to PCB ordering and manufacturing.
ExpressPCB’s Schematic and Layout tools are simple and unencumbered by multiple layers of menus, options and settings that more advanced PCB Design suites require mastering before you even start on your design project.
If time is of the essence and there is a need to quickly turn out a prototype to get a project off the ground, then ExpressPCB is the only choice.
For more information about ExpressPCB’s PCB solutions, please visit www.expresspcb.com.
Contact Michael Hebda at support@expresspcb.com.
Suggested Items
Happy’s Tech Talk #40: Factors in PTH Reliability—Hole Voids
07/09/2025 | Happy Holden -- Column: Happy’s Tech TalkWhen we consider via reliability, the major contributing factors are typically processing deviations. These can be subtle and not always visible. One particularly insightful column was by Mike Carano, “Causes of Plating Voids, Pre-electroless Copper,” where he outlined some of the possible causes of hole defects for both plated through-hole (PTH) and blind vias.
Trouble in Your Tank: Can You Drill the Perfect Hole?
07/07/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankIn the movie “Friday Night Lights,” the head football coach (played by Billy Bob Thornton) addresses his high school football team on a hot day in August in West Texas. He asks his players one question: “Can you be perfect?” That is an interesting question, in football and the printed circuit board fabrication world, where being perfect is somewhat elusive. When it comes to mechanical drilling and via formation, can you drill the perfect hole time after time?
The Evolution of Picosecond Laser Drilling
06/19/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIs it hard to imagine a single laser pulse reduced not only from nanoseconds to picoseconds in its pulse duration, but even to femtoseconds? Well, buckle up because it seems we are there. In this interview, Dr. Stefan Rung, technical director of laser machines at Schmoll Maschinen GmbH, traces the technology trajectory of the laser drill from the CO2 laser to cutting-edge picosecond and hybrid laser drilling systems, highlighting the benefits and limitations of each method, and demonstrating how laser innovations are shaping the future of PCB fabrication.
Day 2: More Cutting-edge Insights at the EIPC Summer Conference
06/18/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007The European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC) summer conference took place this year in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-4. This is the third of three articles on the conference. The other two cover Day 1’s sessions and the opening keynote speech. Below is a recap of the second day’s sessions.
Day 1: Cutting Edge Insights at the EIPC Summer Conference
06/17/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007The European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC) Summer Conference took place this year in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-4. This is the second of three articles on the conference. The other two cover the keynote speeches and Day 2 of the technical conference. Below is a recap of the first day’s sessions.