| EI Capabilities FAQs:
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|
| What does Electronic Interconnect use as its standard for
manufacturing? |
| Unless it is specified in the zip file information you email
to our pre-engineering staff, EIC follows a standard set of building parameters
that are used. These include: ½-ounce copper on outer layers, 1-ounce copper on
inner layers, FR4 material, 0.062" finished thickness, LPI green solder mask
over bare copper (SMOBC), and white silkscreen. Review our manufacturing
capabilities to see the range offered on EIC. |
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| What drawing files / design software do you accept?
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| It is recommended you download Viewmate (www.pentalogix.com)
to preview your Gerber & drill files prior to submitting. This is a free
version of the software that we use to prep your Gerber artwork and drill
files. If you can view your files using Viewmate, then we should be able to use
them to produce the artwork necessary to manufacture your design.
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|
| What tooling specifics are needed for manufacturing my
circuit boards? |
| Our CAM (computer aided manufacturing) process starts when we
receive all the necessary files and data to begin the manufacturing process. We
do not issue any order until our pre-engineering staff has approved your files.
Review our manufacturing capabilities to see the range offered on EIC. |
|
| I have a project that doesn't fit the EIC parameters. Can
EIC still build my board? |
| For any order that does not fit into one of the above
services, please use our contact form on the contact us page and explain your
differences. This will help to expedite your request. |
|
| What is silk screen? |
| Silk screen (component legend) is printing on the component
side (sometimes both sides) of a PCB that uses outlines and symbols to show
component locations and to identify particular components with legends. Solder
mask is required for silk screen printing. |
|
| What is solder mask? |
| Solder mask is a dielectric coating of the PCB, usually of a
dark green color, which is designed to insulate and protect the copper traces
and keep them from shorting together during the soldering process. The solder
mask covers the whole board except solderable surfaces such as thru-hole and
surface-mount pads. Solder mask is also required for silk screen (component
legend). The only disadvantage of solder mask is that it adds cost to your
board. |
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| What is panelization? |
| Panelization is a method of arraying one or several design
within the boundary of fixed-size PCB panel. Optimal panelization allows to
utilize the allocated panel space more effectively, thus reducing the cost per
board. Unlike most other fabricators, EI performs the panelization and
corresponding price adjustment automatically. |
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| What is depanelization? |
| Depanelization is the post-manufacturing process that
separates individual PCBs from board arrays on the panels. |
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| Can I request custom color of solder mask and silk screen
for my design? |
| Yes. We will inform you about the availability of the
requested option and updated order cost shortly after the order is placed. |
|
| Can I request gold plating or custom solder finish? |
| Yes. We will inform you about the availability of the
requested option and updated order cost shortly after the order is placed. |
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| Can I request inverted silk-screen option? |
| Yes. |
|
| Can I request custom board material, board thickness, or
copper weight not available in the list of presets? |
| Yes. EI supports a number of custom board materials, such as
Rogers, different thicknesses and a range of copper weights. We will inform you
about the availability of the requested option and updated order cost shortly
after the order is placed. |
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| Do you support custom shaped boards with slots, cut-outs,
etc.? |
| Yes. |
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| Can I choose if boards are cut to border, V-scored, or
tab-routed? |
| Yes. |