Specs

What is the US QuickTurn PCB manufacturing policy?

1. Orders are not guaranteed to be accepted by us until your files pass our Smart DFM review.

2. We prefer that you pass your design through Smart DFM. This way, you can correct any errors that you find. At the end of the Smart DFM process, you can save a .ezq file. If there are no errors, then we can manufacture your quickturn prototype printed circuit boards directly from the .ezq file. If you get stuck in the middle of the Smart DFM process, you can save and submit your .ezq file to us for additional help.

3. While we prefer that you send us a file after passing it through Smart DFM, you can also choose to send us your raw Gerber and Drill files. We will process your files using Smart DFM and send you an email with a detailed result of the Smart DFM checks. If possible, we will edit your files to remove any Smart DFM violations. Our email to you will detail any changes that we've made and we will send a revised .ezq file that you can load into any of our ViewMate family of products. You can review all of the suggested changes that we've made. If you're happy with our changes, then you can ask us to produce your PCB using the supplied .ezq file. However, we recommend that you change your design in your CAD system so that it passes our Smart DFM checks without requiring any alterations.

4. All files will be retained for 3 months.

5. Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world that is served by UPS or FedEx, so long as no US Export restrictions are in force.

6. We reserve the right to change prices and delivery terms at any time.

If your design contains non-plated holes
Smart DFM places plated and non-plated holes on separate layers. If you run your design through Smart DFM, please remember to check the "Non-Plated Through Holes" check box.

If you send us raw Gerber and Drill files, and your design contains both plated and non-plated holes, then we prefer that you place these holes on separate layers. This will ensure that we understand your intent. If you are using ViewMate Deluxe or ViewMate Pro, then you can also submit your data as a .bin file. Name your plated drill layer "PlatedDrills" and your non-plated drill layer "NonPlatedDrills".

QuickTurn Printed Circuit Boards Outlines
Your prototype printed circuit board outline does not have to be square or rectangular. You can submit round boards or boards with a complex shape. Our requirement is that we can convert your outline to a continuous unbroken path. By default, we will rout your board outline with a 0.0625" diameter rout bit. This will result in a minimum radius of approximately 0.032" on inside corners. If your design contains inside corners with radii of less than 0.032", then we will use a 0.03125" diameter rout tool to cut out your board. In this case, inside corners will have a minimum radius of 0.016".

Routing
Default rout tool diameter is 0.0625". 
All features are cut out using this tool if possible (both internal features and the board outline). 

Internal Cutouts
Your design can have both plated and non-plated internal cutouts. We suggest that you add one layer for each type of cutout (plated or non-plated). Just place elements in these layers that are the exact shape of the cutout that you want. For example, if you want a 0.050" x 1.00" slot cutout of the board, then just add a trace of this size to the appropriate layer. If you have a more complex shape, then just submit it as one or more polygons that describe the edge of the cutout. We suggest you draw the polygon with an "F-Type" shape (a line of zero width). If you choose, you can draw the polygons with any width trace. We assume that the centerline of the trace describes the edge of your internal cutout. Plated cutouts will have the inside of the cutout plated with the finish that you choose (Tin/Lead or OSP RoHS). Non-plated cutouts will not have any plating on the internal edges. Name your plated cutouts layer "PlatedInternalRouts". Name your non-plated internal routs "NonPlatedInternalRouts". If you wish, you can also supply a drawing that details the internal cutouts and we will create the needed geometry for you. We prefer to use a 0.0625" rout bit for internal cutouts, although we will use a 0.03125" diameter bit if your design contains features with internal radii of less than 0.032".

Solder Mask Swell and "Minimum Web"
When manufacturing your prototype circuit board, there may be a small misregistration between the solder mask layers and the underlying copper layers. As a result, we recommend that you swell your solder mask layer so that it is 0.005" (0.0025" on a side) larger than the underlying copper elements. This way, if there is a misregistration, then your copper pads will not have any solder mask on them. You should also ensure that your design has a "Minimum Web" of at least 0.003" between adjacent pads. Smart DFM can pinpoint any problem areas for you.

Silk Screen Feature Size
We recommend that your silk screen features have a width of at least 0.007", although the absolute minimum for clear legibility is 0.005". If you submit a Smart DFM file with features that are less than 0.005", then we will simply submit your design for manufacture. There is no guarantee that these narrow features will reproduce correctly. If you submit Gerber data or a .bin file to us, then we will modify your silk screen layers if any features are less than 0.007". If possible, we will set all features so that the minimum trace width is 0.007". Where this is impractical, we will reduce the silk screen feature size to a minimum of 0.005".

Do Printed Circuit Boards UL marking?
By default we add a UL marking to the bottom copper layer:

If the large UL logo will not fit on your prototype circuit board, then we will add the smaller logo shown below:

We add a Date Code, a 3 digit order fragment and a Serial Number to the bottom silk screen layer:

2-LAYER PCB
L1 1oz Cu ----------
.059" DIELECTRIC
L2 1oz Cu ----------

4-LAYER PCB
L1 1oz Cu ----------
.0085" DIELECTRIC
L2 .5oz Cu ----------
.039" DIELECTRIC
L3 .5oz Cu ----------
.0085" DIELECTRIC
L4 1oz Cu ----------

6-LAYER PCB
L1 1oz Cu ----------
.0048" DIELECTRIC
L2 .5oz Cu ----------
.020" DIELECTRIC
L3 .5oz Cu ----------
.0048" DIELECTRIC
L4 .5oz Cu ----------
.020" DIELECTRIC
L5 .5oz Cu ----------
.0048" DIELECTRIC
L6 1oz Cu ----------

8-LAYER PCB
L1 1oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L2 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L3 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L4 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L5 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L6 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L7 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L8 1oz Cu ----------

10-LAYER PCB
L1 1oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L2 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L3 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L4 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L5 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L6 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L7 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L8 .5oz Cu ----------
.010" DIELECTRIC
L9 .5oz Cu ----------
.005" DIELECTRIC
L10 1oz Cu ----------

What is the minimum trace width allowed?
The minimum traces width is 0.005" (5 mils).

What is the minimum spacing between traces to copper lands?
The minimum gap between traces and copper lands is 0.005" (5 mils).

What is the minimum annular ring on vias?
The minimum annular ring on vias is 0.005" (5 mils). each side of the hole. The pad must be large enough to tent over the hole otherwise you may lose the metal in the hole during outer layer etching resulting in plating voids.

What is the closest copper to edge of the printed circuit board?
The closest copper trace and land fills to edge of PC board is 0.010" (10 mils). If the copper runs closer to the edge it may be exposed during board rout.

Are the prototype printed circuit boards electrically tested?
All multi-layer (4, 6, 8 and 10 layer) PCB prototypes come electrically tested as part of the service. Two-layer boards are not tested.

Can you handle controlled impedance requirements?
No. This feature is not available through the US Quickturn PCBs service. However, you may submit a Custom_RFQ for complete prototype circuit board manufacturing needs.

To what acceptability standards do you build?
PCBs are built to IPC-A-6011/6012 latest revision Class 2 with inspection based on IPC-A-600 latest revision.

What is OSP finish?
OSP (Organic Solderability Preservative) is a thin organic coating deposited on the exposed copper. The coating preserves the solderability of the copper surface, while allowing it to be easily soldered without the need for removal. Excellent solderability is maintained through 3 to 5 I.R. soldering cycles.

What files do you need to manufacture my US Quickturn PCBs?
The following files need to be compressed into one ZIP file and uploaded through the US Quickturn PCBs web site at order placement. Our web application will only accept one ZIP file per order. Your file set needs to be complete with the following data:
1. Gerber files in 274X or 274D formats. (274D format will require an aperture list or environment file)
2. Excellon2 NC drill file.
3. Drill tool list specifying finished hole sizes, hole quantities, and plated/non-plated holes.

How do I send my files?
You will be prompted to upload your files through the web site during order placement. Your files are encrypted and maintained in our secure database.

If you have more questions, please contact our Technical Experts at support@pcbunlimited.com

Deciding whether you need to order your printed circuit boards as a Standard Spec or as a Custom Spec boards is simply a matter of looking at the specs. Standard Spec circuit boards are built to the same standards as Custom Spec orders but with a more limited spec range. Standard Spec and Custom Spec orders are inspected to IPC Class II Standards.

Quantity doesn’t matter. We will make as few as one pcb as either a Standard Spec or Custom Spec order. No order is too small for us!

Quality is the same. All Standard Spec and Custom orders go through the same rigorous fabrication and quality check process.

Turnaround time is the same. We can produce your Custom Spec order just as quickly as our Standard Specs orders even creating them in one day if needed.

Standard Specs include:
 • All holes plated through (PTH) for all hole sizes in the drill program
 • Non-plated slots and cutouts (plated available on Custom Spec orders)
 • Green soldermask
 • FR4 (regular)
 • White legend (silkscreen)
 • 1 oz. Cu. Inner layers/Up to 2 oz. Cu. Wt. on outer layers
 • Overall thickness .031” .062”, .093”, or .125”
 • Trace/Space to 5/5 mils
 • Gold fingers
 • Lead-Free HAL Solder plating finish
 • Rout Tolerance +/- 0.010”
 • Hole Tolerance +/- 0.005”
 • Fiducials and/or Tooling Holes

Custom Specs include:
• Plated or Non-plated holes (if no specifications provided holes will be plated)
• Non-plated or plated slots/edges and cutout's
• Various laminates including high temp (tg) FR4
• Full range of finished printed circuit board thicknesses
• Different soldermask colors (default green)
• Different silkscreen (legend) colors (default white)
• Trace/Space down to 4/4 mils
• UL Markings (Also 94V-O upon request)
• Lead-Free logo markings on printed circuit boards (upon request)
• Controlled Dielectric and/or Controlled Impedance
• Inner layer Cu. Wt. ½ oz. – 3 oz.
• Countersinks/Counterbores
• Fiducials and/or Tooling Holes (no additional charge if requested)
• Hole Tolerance +/- 0.003” (if requested)
• Electrolytic Hard Gold plating finish (total board or gold fingers only) and other plating finishes to include  ENIG,  Soft  Bondable Gold, Nickel, Immersion Silver, and OSP. Also HAL available in both leaded and lead-free solder finishes.

NOTE:
1. We never charge Tooling NRE on Standard Spec orders. In addition, when you re-order your Standard Spec with no changes and go to Custom Spec we waive the tooling charge again.
2. You pay Electrical Test charges only once. If you pay as a Standard Spec you don’t pay again… even for a fixture when going to Custom Spec.

Tolerances and Design Requirements

1. Inner Layer Clearances
   We require a minimum of 0.010” inner layer clearance.
   
   
2. Copper to Edge of Printed Circuit Board
   Minimum of 0.010” (outer layers) and 0.014” for inner layers (0.020” preferred for inner layers). For scoring, minimum of .015 for outer layers and .020 for inner layers.
   
   
3. Pad Size/Annular Ring
   Pad size should be at least + 0.010” over finished hole size for vias and + 0.014” over finished hole size for component holes. This means the annular ring (radius of the pad) should be at least .005” for vias and a minimum of 0.007” for component holes.
   
   
4. Hole Size
   +/- 0.005”  Standard Spec
   +/- 0.005” Custom Spec default
   +/- 0.003” Custom Spec upon request 1 oz and 2 oz finished copper weight only
   Minimum finished hole size; 0.010”. Call your salesperson if you required a finished hole size less than 0.010”.
   
   
5. Printed Circuit Board Thickness
   Overall may vary +/- 10% (Minimum +/- 0.005”)
   Minimum finished thickness for 2-layer: 0.005” (Call if you need a thickness of less than 0.005”)
   Minimum finished thickness for 4-layers: 0.020”
   Minimum finished thickness for 6-layers: 0.031”
   Minimum finished thickness for 8-layers: 0.047”
   Minimum finished thickness for 10-layers: 0.062”
   
   
6. Inner Layer Thickness
   Tolerances do not apply to the inner layers of Standard Spec Orders.
   
   
7. Rout (Circuit Board Outline)
   +/- 0.010” (+/- 0.005” available for Custom Spec Orders upon request
   Note: We rout to your circuit board size using the center of the board outline on your mask layer.
   
   
8. Copper Trace Width/Spacing
   This is the minimum air gap between any two adjacent copper features. Trace width is the minimum width of a copper feature, usually traces.
   For trace width/spacing, we require a minimum of 0.005” for 1 oz. finished copper weight on outer layers. Premiums are added for trace/space specs less than 0.008”
   For 1 oz. finished copper weight (inner layers), minimum trace width/space is 0.005”
   For 2 oz. finished copper weight (inner & outer), minimum trace width/space is 0.007”
   For 3 oz. finished copper weight (inner & outer), minimum trace width/space is 0.010”
   For 4 oz. f inished copper weight (inner & outer), minimum trace width/space is 0.012
   
   
9. Conductor width, thickness and spacing
   When not specified by the customer, the minimum conductor width shall be 80% of  the pattern supplied by the procurement documentation.  Both internal and external conductor conductor  thickness  tolerance  vary with the weight of the copper foil used for fabrication and  must    meet or exceed values established by IPC-6012.  Conductor  spacing may be reduced by a maximum of 30% (IPC Class2) unless otherwise stated in the documentation.
   
   
10. Soldermask Swell
    This is the expansion of mask relief over pad area. Our minimum is 0.005” over pad dimension or 0.0025” each side. PCB Unlimited will modify files to meet the minimum dimension.
    
    
11. Slot Width
    Minimum 0.031” in width. For smaller width, call your salesperson for pricing and turntime.
    
    
12. Tab Rout Spacing
    Please allow 0.100” spacing between your individual pcbs for tab rout spacing. When scoring there should be no spacing between the circuit boards.
    
    
13. Silkscreen (Legend)
    0.005” minimum line width.