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1.What Are Heavy Copper PCBs?
Heavy copper PCBs are also known as thick copper PCBs or power PCBs. They are unique due to their significantly thicker copper layers—typically ranging from 3 oz/ft² up to 20 oz/ft² or more. Standard PCBs typically have copper thicknesses of less than 2 oz/ft², so the enhanced current-carrying capacity of Heavy Copper PCBs makes them suitable for high-power applications.
2.Advantages of Heavy copper PCBs:
Excellent EMC: High-frequency PCBs exhibit excellent electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) due to material characteristics that help minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and enhance signal integrity.
If you are interested in our Heavy copper PCB circuit boards, please provide your customized needs, we will complete the sample production within 7 working days, and complete mass production and delivery within 15 working days.
4.The Manufacturing Challenges for Heavy Copper PCBs at Ring PCB
1. Etching Process
Challenge: Standard PCB etching techniques struggle with thick copper layers. As copper thickness increases, the etching process becomes more difficult, requiring precise control to avoid uneven or incomplete etching.
Solution: Advanced etching processes are employed to handle thicker copper, using controlled chemical etching and temperature management to achieve uniform copper traces. In some cases, multiple etching steps are used to gradually achieve the desired thickness.
2. Thermal Management During Manufacturing
Challenge: Thick copper layers retain heat, which can lead to issues with warping, delamination, or internal stress during high-temperature processes like lamination and soldering.
Solution: Temperature control and gradual thermal cycling are applied throughout manufacturing. Special solder masks that can endure higher temperatures are also used to prevent damage during soldering and reflow.
3.Drilling and Hole Quality
Challenge: Heavy Copper PCBs are more difficult to drill accurately due to their dense copper layers, which can cause bit wear, misalignment, and burrs around drilled holes.
Solution: Ring PCB reduces lifespan of drill bits and replace them sooner. Additionally, using high-precision drilling machines and specialized drill bits designed for thick copper can be beneficial. Furthermore, segmenting the drilling process can help minimize drill bit wear.
4.Copper Plating
Challenge: Plating thick copper requires copper plating layer can adhere to the original copper layer, enhancing the overall bonding strength.
Solution: PCBs are typically subjected to cleaning to remove contaminants, followed by both chemical and mechanical roughening to create a microscopically rough surface on the copper. A final copper plating step ensures uniform coverage.
5.Hole Size Compensation
Challenge: After the copper plating in Heavy Copper PCB manufacturing, the hole size can become smaller. This is because the plating process deposits additional copper within the drilled holes, increasing the thickness of the copper on the hole walls and slightly reducing the diameter.
Solution: Ring PCB carefully calculates the initial drill size based on the thickness of copper that will be added in the plating process. The hole is drilled slightly larger than the final required size to allow for the subsequent plating buildup.
5.Applications of Heavy Copper PCBs
Heavy Copper PCBs are indispensable in applications where high current and enhanced thermal performance are essential. Some common applications include:
Automotive Electronics: Used in electric vehicles, power converters, and braking systems due to their high current handling.
Aerospace and Military Equipment: Essential for equipment where reliability and durability in extreme environments are required.
Power Supplies: Heavy Copper PCBs are ideal for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and other high-power devices that require stable power management.
Renewable Energy: Found in wind turbines and solar power systems, where high current capacity and durability are needed for efficient energy conversion.
Industrial Equipment: Used in heavy-duty machinery, motor controls, and power distribution units for efficient heat management and reliability.
At Ring PCB, we don’t just manufacture products—we deliver innovation. With all kinds of Boards, combined with our PCB, PCB Assembly, and turn-key services, we empower your projects to thrive. Whether you need prototyping or mass production, our expert team ensures top-quality results.
17 Years of Excellence | Self-Owned Factory | End-to-End Technical Support
Core Advantage 1: Advanced Engineering for Precision PCB Manufacturing
• High-Density Stack-Up: 2-48 layer boards with blind/buried vias, 3/3mil trace/spacing, ±7% impedance control, ideal for 5G, industrial control, medical devices, and automotive electronics.
• Smart Manufacturing: Self-owned facility equipped with LDI laser exposure, vacuum lamination, and flying probe testers, adhering to IPC-6012 Class 3 standards.
Core Advantage 2: Integrated PCBA Services | One-Stop Turnkey Solutions
✓ Full Assembly Support: PCB fabrication + component sourcing + SMT assembly + functional testing.
✓ DFM/DFA Optimization: Expert engineering team reduces design risks and BOM costs.
✓ Rigorous Quality Control: X-ray inspection, AOI testing, and 100% functional validation for zero-defect delivery.
Core Advantage 3: Self-Owned Factory with Full Supply Chain Control
✓ Vertical Integration: Raw material procurement, production, and testing fully managed in-house.
✓ Triple Quality Assurance : AOI + impedance testing + thermal cycling, defect rate <0.2% (industry average: <1%).
✓ Global Certifications: ISO9001, IATF16949 and RoHS compliance.
Ring PCB not only offers professional PCB manufacturing, but also offer PCBA service, including component sourcing and SMT service with Samsung functional machine.
One of our core strengths lies in our 8-stage lead-free reflow soldering and lead-free wave soldering capabilities at our Shenzhen factory. These advanced soldering processes ensure high-quality assembly while adhering to global environmental standards, such as ISO9001, IATF16949 ,RoHS compliance.
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Ring PCB Technology Co.,Limited is a professional PCB manufacturer with 17 years of history in China.
Our products are updated and upgraded every year and we specialize in all kinds of PCB making and PCBA customization services, If you are interested in our products, please tell us your requirements, we will help you to provide professional solutions, please contact us on line or E-mail to us info@ringpcb.com, and we will provide you with one-on-one service from our professional sales team.
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