Multi-layer printed circuits

Multi-layer printed circuits

Constant evolution in microelectronics means that multi-layer printed circuits are increasingly more present in our day-to-day. This is due to the modern trend for reducing circuit size while increasing their capacity.

Aware of this market need, at Gallega de Circuits Electrónicos, S.L., we are investing in improving our multi-layer processes to increase production and offer greater quality.

Multi-layer printed circuits are printed circuits with a theoretically unlimited number of isolated conductive layers. These are generally built with double-layer printed circuits on the internal layers, and single-layer on external layers. Prepregs are laminated with no conductive coating so they serve as isolation and heat and pressure are used to bond
loose layers into a multi-layer.

Producing this type of circuit requires a high level of attention to detail as materials must be chosen carefully, as well as construction sequences and the correct placement of sheets, etc.

The most important applications for multi-layer printed circuits are: computers, file servers, data storage, signal transmission, mobile signal boosters, GPS technology, satellite systems, medical X-ray equipment, atomic accelerators, central fire alarm systems, fibre optic receivers, 
nuclear detection systems, etc.

The main advantages over single-layer and double-layer circuits include:

- Greater assembly density.

- Smaller size (considerable space savings).

- Greater flexibility.

- Easier to incorporate controlled impedance characteristics.

CHARACTERISTICS IMAGE CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4 CATEGORY 5 CATEGORY 6 CATEGORY 7
Minimum metallic hole. 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.15
Minimum NON metallic hole. 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.25
Ratio between circuit thickness and hole. 5 5 6 8 13 (Maximum thickness)
Minimum track width on external layers. 0.30 0.20 0.15 0.125 0.100
Minimum space between tracks on external layers. 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.125 0.100
Minimum track width on internal layers. 0.25 0.20 0.150 0.125 0.100
Minimum space between tracks on internal layers. 0.25 0.20 0.150 0.125 0.100
Minimum distance between crown and hole on external layers. 0.250 0.200 0.150 0.125 0.100
Minimum crown on internal signal layers. 0.25 0.23 0.20 0.160 0.130
Minimum distance between metallic hole and tracks. 0.425 0.400 0.325 0.25 0.200
Minimum diameter for blind vias. 0.40 0.120
Minimum crown for blind vias. 0.350 0.250
Minimum internal crown for blind vias. 0.350 0.250
Minimum insulation thickness on blind vias. 0.115 0.080
Maximum error in slot position. 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.100
Tolerances for slot nerve. 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.150
Contour dimensions 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.100
Minimum tolerances between conductors for slotting. 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.800
End thickness. ±0,100 ±0,100 ±0,100 ±0,100 ±0.05
Thickness between layers. ±0,060 ±0,060 ±0,060 ±0,060 ±0,060
Metallisation thickness in through hole. >0.020 >0.020 >0.020 >0.020 >0.025
Metallisation thickness in blind_buried holes. >0.025 >0.025 >0.025 >0.025 >0.025
Metallisation thickness in blind via. >0.025 >0.025 >0.025 >0.025 >0.025
Minimum wall between NON metallic holes. 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.200
Minimum crown for NON metallic hole. 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.200 0.200
Minimum distance between conductor and NON metallic hole. 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.125
Minimum distance between conductor and contour. 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.125
Maximum deviation between contour and hole 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.125 0.075
Maximum deviation between pad and hole (EXTERNAL faces). 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.075
Maximum deviation between pad and hole (INTERNAL faces). 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125
Maximum deviation between copper and photosensitive mask. 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.075
Minimum photosensitive ink stroke. 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.075
Minimum allowance for photosensitive ink. 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.050
Minimum width for legend trace. 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.125
Minimum allowance for graphite ink. 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.150
Minimum space between graphite ink. 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.400
Minimum allowance between graphite and conductor. 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350
Minimum allowance for peelable ink. 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.700
Minimum distance between pad and peelable ink. 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.700
Minimum distance between contour and peelable ink. 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.900 0.700
Maximum diameter for hole covered with peelable ink. 1.90 1.90 1.90 1.90 2.10