Design rules for high current conductor paths These rules must be observed when designing HSMtec printed circuit boards: Standard values for HSMtec PCBs are 0.8 to 3.2 mm final thickness; maximum 12 layers; maximum 3 layers for the copper cross-sections with copper profiles as well as currents up to 400 A Basic rule for current
When designing HSMtec-PCBs with integrated copper elements, it is generally recommended to design the high-current conductors before the standard layout. The development process of an HSMtec printed circuit board takes place in 10 design steps: Define mechanical features: Determine the size and contour of the printed circuit board Place power components: define short and simple
Thick copper, Iceberg® and HSMtec® are three different technologies for high current PCBs. The article compares the three technologies and explains the design possibilities, current carrying capacity and heat dissipation of the power semiconductors. Engine control adjusts speed, power and torque to demand and operating conditions and plays a major role in the energy efficiency
Iceberg® printed circuit boards are partial thick copper printed circuit boards with mixed copper thicknesses of 105 and 400 µm on the same plane in the outer layers. In the process, about two thirds of the thick copper is sunk into the base material. The “sinking” of the thick copper structures in the base material
HSMtec 3D printed circuit board: the self-supporting 3D construction The HSMtec 3D printed circuit board does not require any flex foil at the bending point. This technique uses copper wires and copper profiles pressed into the FR4 material of the multilayer as bendable material. At the bending edges the FR4 is removed with notch milling.
Semiflex printed circuit board: the low-cost alternative to rigid-flex Semiflex is considered a cost-effective alternative to rigid-flex technology. The absence of flex foils lowers the price, but also reduces the bending properties. The moving areas are created here by deep milling in the FR4 circuit board, and the residual thickness is only approx. 150 µm.
Multifunctional system boards are already state of the art today. Different starting materials, methods and manufacturing processes enable highly specialized circuit carriers: densely packed and/or highly integrated, RF-capable, high-current-capable, heat-optimized and three-dimensional. The current technology roadmap shows what drives and controls the development of PCB technology and where the journey is headed. The development of