FAQs

Can I have my printed circuit boards in a choice of colours?

The pcb colour choice is often important, particularly when the PCB will be on display in lighting, hi-fi equipment or consumer electronics devices. We have therefore selected a PCB colour choice to include:

Green, Blue, Black, Red and White.

Coloured boards are also useful to differentiate individual PCBs from each other (i.e. prototype boards compared to production boards), or when several circuit boards are used within one housing. Some companies also have their own corporate range of PCB colours.

The substrate itself is coloured by pigment in the epoxy resin, which is used together with glass-fibre reinforcement to make up the finished board, which sits beneath the copper tracks.
Our standard range of PCB colours is available for immediate manufacture, however, if you have a requirement for a specific colour, please contact us.

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Can I get my printed circuit boards in different thicknesses?

We accommodate PCB Thickness in a multitude of products and requirements. Standard thicknesses include 0.4mm to 1.6mm in 0.2 steps, as well as 2mm, 2.4mm and 3.2mm.

We have been designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards in the UK for more than 30 years.
Printed circuit boards can be single sided, double sided plated through hole or multi-layered. 1.6mm is still the standard thickness for multilayer boards, with sizes between 0.5mm – 3.2mm.

Our PCB board delivery times are among the best in the country. For more information and advice on the ideal circuit board for you, please contact us.

For more advice about PCB thickness, please contact us any time.

What is the smallest PCB size I can have?

Printed circuit boards are used in a variety of electronic products and therefore can be manufactured in a number of sizes. Board sizes vary, dependent on customer requirements with the smallest pcb size that we have made being only 5mm square, for a miniature medical device.

Your PCBs can be made in a size to suit your requirements, however, there are a number of factors to consider, including product size, single sided, double sided plated through hole or multilayer, as well as number and weight of components, and the board’s finished application.

Each panel of boards will require a border for tooling holes, traces and coupons, and space for routing. Large panels with many circuits often have a poor manufacturing strength and therefore need to be reinforced, whilst smaller circuit boards may be stronger.

Small and irregular shaped PCB’s can also be made using our precision CNC routing machine and left in a routed panel with pips, or rectangular boards can be scored with pips.

For more advice about PCB size, please get in touch any time.

What is the Largest PCB I can have?

We make panels to suit your requirements, ranging from 5mm square through to 450 x 300mm (18 x 12 inches), which is the largest PCB size we can produce in-house, as standard, which has a useable area of 17 x 11 inches.

We also work with a number of reliable partners that make much larger boards if required.

With more than 30 years’ experience designing and manufacturing PCB boards, we have discovered that the optimal size for our production is 450 x 300mm (18 x 12 inches) which can be a single circuit, or a step and repeated smaller circuit to fit the panel.

There are a number of factors to consider when developing a PCB board that include product size, single sided, double sided plated through hole or multilayer, as well as number and weight of components. Larger boards are developed with our reliable partners, with whom we have built a strong relationship over the years.

For more advice about PCB size, please call us any time.

If I need the same PCBs in the future do I need to resend the data?

No, you don’t. We safely and securely retain your PCB information on record. This includes various revisions.

Can you recreate PCBs if they are sent to you?

We can reverse engineer, single and double-layer PCBs in-house.

You can learn more about our Reverse Engineering Services here: PCB Reverse Engineering Services 

How do you test the PCBs?

We use a state of the art flying probe tester

How should PCBs be stored to maximise shelf life?

PCBs should be vacuum sealed and stored in a dark dry location at room temperature.

For any further advice, reach out to our team here: ABL Contact

Can you do complex curved outlines on your printed circuit boards?

The substrate itself is coloured by pigment in the epoxy resin, which is used together with glass-fibre reinforcement to make up the finished board, which sits beneath the copper tracks. Our standard range of PCB colours is available for immediate manufacture, however, if you have a requirement for a specific colour, please contact us.

Can I have my printed circuit boards left in a panel for assembly?

The substrate itself is coloured by pigment in the epoxy resin, which is used together with glass-fibre reinforcement to make up the finished board, which sits beneath the copper tracks. Our standard range of PCB colours is available for immediate manufacture, however, if you have a requirement for a specific colour, please contact us.

Do you offer a variety of PCB finishes?

The substrate itself is coloured by pigment in the epoxy resin, which is used together with glass-fibre reinforcement to make up the finished board, which sits beneath the copper tracks. Our standard range of PCB colours is available for immediate manufacture, however, if you have a requirement for a specific colour, please contact us.

How do I place an order for PCBs?

You can request a quote for PCBs and any additional services here: PCB Quote Form

Alternatively you can contact sales@ablcircuits.co.uk or call us on 01462 894132

Thanks for your interest!

How will my PCB order be packaged?

Our PCBs are vacuum sealed and generously wrapped ensuring protection during shipping.

What delivery service do you use?

We use multiple services, mainly DPD and FedEx. However, we also use a private personal courier for more extensive or more valuable deliveries.

What materials do you use to manufacture PCBs?

We use multiple materials, such as FR4, Aluminium, Rogers material and many more.

Can you source specific materials?

Yes we can source most materials.

If you have a specific request please submit it via the Quote Form and we’ll come back and let you know if we can help!

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