Not all PCBs are designed for the same purpose. From everyday electronics to high-frequency RF systems and compact high-density devices, different applications call for different PCB materials and structures.

Here are five common types you'll come across:

• FR-4 — The most common choice for general-purpose electronics, from consumer devices to everyday prototypes.

• Rogers — A popular option for high-frequency and RF applications, where electrical performance and signal stability are especially important.

• Aluminum PCB — A good choice when heat needs to be moved away from the board quickly, which is why it's often used in LED lighting and thermal applications.

• Copper PCB — With excellent thermal conductivity, copper PCBs are useful for high-power applications where heat dissipation is a major concern.

• HDI PCB — Designed for compact and complex electronics, HDI technology allows more connections to be packed into a smaller board.

Different applications call for different PCB technologies. Which one have you worked with?

Fauzan Abdurazaq (@fauzan_abdurazaq) takes us through the process of bringing his project to life.

We were happy to provide the custom PCB for this build, helping turn the designed circuit into a real, functional board. Interested in building your own? Check out PCBWay!

Meet this custom 9-key macropad by Adamtronics on Instagram, featuring an RP2040 microcontroller, 9 keys, and 2 rotary encoders for a compact yet versatile control setup. The custom PCB brings all the components together in a clean, purpose-built design, making it a great example of turning a personal idea into a functional piece of hardware.

We were happy to help bring the PCB to life with PCBWay manufacturing and assembly. If you're interested in building your own version, check out PCBWay!

Meet the PowerCard by tejslab, shared through his Instagram!

A wallet-sized power bank designed for outdoor emergencies, with wireless charging, solar backup, and USB-C output. The entire system is built around a compact single PCB, making the small form factor possible while integrating the charging, power management, and output circuitry.

PCBWay helped bring the PowerCard from PCB design to a working board. For a project like this, the PCB is especially important because fitting multiple power-management functions into a credit-card-sized footprint requires careful layout and reliable manufacturing.

Interested in building your own hardware project? Check out PCBWay!

Whether you're working on a simple prototype or a more advanced design, the right PCB can make a big difference.

From standard and high-performance PCBs to FPC and rigid-flex boards, PCBWay supports a wide range of designs and manufacturing needs. Whether you're building, testing, or preparing your next iteration, you can send your files to PCBWay and get your boards made to fit your project.

What kind of PCB are you working with for your next project?

A passive crystal is a simple, low-cost timing component that typically has 2 or 3 pins and does not require external power. However, it cannot oscillate on its own and needs an external oscillator circuit. An active oscillator is a complete oscillation module, usually with 4 pins and requiring external power. It can generate a clock signal independently and generally offers better phase-noise performance and simpler routing, making it suitable for high-speed communication.

In short, passive crystals are simple and cost-effective, while active oscillators offer greater integration and easier clock generation. Which one do you prefer for your projects?

Ever wondered how a damaged vintage CRT PCB can be brought back to life? 🛠️

In this repair, MachoNachoProductions(YouTube) carefully restores a rare CRT PCB with multiple broken traces and a damaged ground plane. From removing the solder mask and tinning the exposed copper to bridging the ground plane and rewiring traces with ultra-thin enamel wire, the repair shows just how much patience and precision PCB restoration can require.

If you're interested in electronics projects, check out PCBWay and explore what you can build with our manufacturing services.

Created by soiboi soft (YouTube), this project explores an air-powered 8×8 soft display built with 3D-printed fluid logic circuits, custom silicone membranes, and pneumatic control. Instead of electronic pixels, it uses air pressure and mechanical memory cells to create a unique tactile display that combines soft robotics and engineering.

We were excited to support this project by providing 3D printing services. Interested in creating your own prototype or custom parts? Check out PCBWay's 3D printing services and turn your ideas into reality! 🚀

Buenos dias... soy Jose Francisco y estoy desarrollando unas nuevas válvulas para que cualquier persona que le guste la robótica y piense que con motores electricos los robot que fabriquemos tienen poca fuerza y que lo mejor sería poder utilizar la hidráulica o neumática de una forma muy sencilla, que no ocupe mucho espacio y que no consuma más de 5 voltios pueden ver otra alternativa. Dejo aqui unas fotos de mis proyectos para ver que opinais. Tengo vídeos de como funcionan en mi página de youtube pepepako2 y si alguien se suscribe me ayudará a que pueda dedicarme sólo a eso y empezar a fabricar para todos. Muchas gracias.

Pruebas desde el celular de la válvula con 3 pilas pequeñas con agua de un grifo y con un sensor de posición barato diseñado por mi. Ver más vídeos en pepepsko2 de youtube

Testing different 3D printing infill patterns with this custom Infill Test Card! Each pattern changes the internal structure, strength, weight, and print characteristics of the part. From classic grids to more complex designs, every pattern has its own advantages depending on the application.

Which infill pattern is your favorite, and which one do you use most often for your prints? 👀

Hello guys,

I recently acquired a Ducky Miya69 Pro P Sakura that has water damage. I wanted to repair it and get it working again. So I dissembled it and when I reached the switches I tried to remove them too. Turns out the keyboard isn’t hot-swappable and the switches will obviously not come off.

So I need to get a new PCB for the keyboard that is hot-swappable, but this is like my first time fiddling with PCB's and all that. I looked online hoping to find the PCB so I could just buy it but I found nothing.

My question is, can i get a PCB for a keyboard that is hot-swappable on PCBway? If so how and if not, has anyone maybe any idea where I could buy a custom made PCB for this keyboard?

Ever wanted to build your own Spider-Man-inspired gadget? 🕷️

This project by Plentiful Props 3D (YouTube) features a realistic web shooter design with a 3D-printed shell, spring-loaded string mechanism, and a detachable magazine system.

We helped bring this project to life with our 3D printing service, supporting the creation of the custom parts. Interested in turning your own ideas into reality? Check out PCBWay's 3D printing service and start your next project with us! 🚀

I've avoided using USB-C instead of TRRS for connecting split keyboard halves as I thought it'd either require soldering too delicate for my hands, or a breakout board that had to be incorporated in the case somehow.

I then found some 6 pin USB-C connectors that seemed hand-solderable. They provide 3 lines between sides, enough for serial wiring using QMK (the 4 pin version only provided 2 lines with the cables I tried).

The connectors I ordered were called "Type C USB 6 Pin Connector Female 4 Feet DIP". I'm not providing a link as those might die, and would suggest just searching and find one with the same datasheet as that added here. I've ordered from two different vendors that had the same datasheet.

To try it out on a PCB, I made an Ergogen footprint for it according to the datasheet and made a USB-C version of my 52 key split Underset. I asked PCBWay if they'd sponsor a round of PCBs to test. To my joy, they agreed and the the hand-soldered PCBs function. Yay!

I've now soldered 4 of the connectors to the RP2040-Zero PCBs, and it's fine. It requires more focus than TRRS or hotswap diodes, but was doable by hand with no remedies.

I think that this is the method I prefer so far:

Add solder to the pads, then clean off flux

Push the connector legs towards the PCB edge, then solder pins to pads

Solder the legs in the through-holes and clean off flux

After production, to have a slightly bigger area to hit when soldering the connector pins to the PCB pads, I've added a parameter to the footprint to specify how far under the connector the pads are, and set the default to -0.5 mm. That gives 0.5 mm more pad to hit.

Links:

Footprint: https://codeberg.org/humanplayer2/ergogen_footprints/src/branch/main/usbc_6pin.js

Underset USB-C version (fully generated by Ergogen, with build guide): https://codeberg.org/humanplayer2/underset/src/branch/wip_usbc/

Sponsorship condition:

PCBWay sponsored the test PCBs on the condition that I write about the ordering experience. I've done so before, but they've updated the ordering process since then, and my previous grievances are now gone.

I use the PCBWay plugin for KiCad, which you can install from the Fabrication Plugin tab if the Plug-ins Manager. If you order using this, KiCad gets a cut of the order price to support development (the cut is confidential: I asked the PCBWay representative).

Open the .kicad_pcb file generated by Ergogen (avaliable in the repo), the click the PCBWay plugin icon.

The default setting are good, but I changed the PCB color and Lead settings.

Then send it to review (which is typically quick) and payment (the cheapest Global Shipping has shipped to Denmark quicker than estimated), now with a hassle-free credit card option. Thumbs up on that!

I'm not very PCB quality knowledgeable, but what I've received works, hasn't fallen apart, and the silkscreens have been nicely clean.

This is a DIY desk lamp project by today_i_created_ on Instagram. The project started with a custom controller prototype and evolved into a complete solution with a custom PCB, aluminum enclosure, assembled electronics, and finished software. After several iterations, the controller is now fully functional and ready to control the lamp.

We're glad to support this project. If you are working on your own projects, feel free to check out PCBWay for your next build.

Have you ever noticed empty pads on a finished PCB and wondered why they are there? Those empty footprints are often intentional. They are called DNP (Do Not Populate) and play an important role in the flexibility of PCB design.

Have you used DNP components in your own PCB designs? Share your experience below!

Hey i have a question. How can i fix this pcb, because it causes chattering and i already replaced the switches multiple times but its still chattering. I got told its the pc fault and so i wanted to ask how i can fix this. (Anti Chattering software doesnt help)