The Production Team at PCB Cares above All

The Gatema PCB team is one of the reasons why Gatema PCB ranks among the best in Europe in the production of prototype printed circuit boards. In addition to first-class quality, we provide reliability, fast production and an extremely helpful approach. Behind all this is a passionate and reliable production team that is committed to delivering the best possible results for our customers. And the Gatema PCB team certainly is that.

Without the Technical Preparation of Production by Our PCB Team, It Would Certainly Not Be Possible to Achieve Consistently High-Quality Results

The advent of lead-free technologies for PCB manufacturing has not only changed the types of solder alloys, but has also led to the development of base materials whose properties can better withstand higher temperature loads and multiple temperature cycles during processing and assembly. These materials are better adapted to final applications such as mobile devices, automotive, aerospace, medical and LED applications.

Selecting the right base material is an important part of the work of the PCB team. If the material is not properly selected, the PCB’s subsequent processing during assembly can be affected, which most often becomes apparent during the soldering process.

Typically, this can include:

• twisting and bending of the PCB in the reflow oven,
• deformation during wave soldering,
• delamination of the inner layers,
• cracking of plated holes.

For this reason, the work of our PCB manufacturing engineers is undeniably important. As part of the PCB team, they review the production data before implementation with regard to manufacturability and technical procedures, including material requirements.

Experience of the Entire PCB Team

Thanks to the expertise and experience of the entire PCB team, potential production issues can be identified and addressed before manufacturing begins. This technical preparation helps ensure that every PCB is manufactured according to the required specifications and is suitable for its final application.

Therefore, the designer should precisely specify the basic material with respect to the composition and components used on the PCB.

The degree of cure of the laminate by measuring the Glass Transition Temperature (Tg), that is, the temperature level at which the PCB substrate transitions from a glassy solid state to a softened, deformable state, was Tg 135 °C for the FR4 lead soldering technology.

However, for lead-free soldering technology, epoxy systems have been proposed that have a Tg of greater than 150 °C and a Tg of 175 °C. And the base material is thus High Tg FR4.

In PCB orders, often only the FR-4 designation is listed in the material column. This is where the expertise of the PCB team and the production preparation engineers becomes essential, as they must select and specify a suitable base material with the final application in mind.

Gatema PCB has a team of 10 PCB manufacturing engineers who are responsible for manufacturability, the suitability of the manufacturing process and the completeness of the substrates that go into production. This experienced PCB team carefully evaluates the technical requirements of each order to ensure that the selected materials and manufacturing processes meet the required specifications.

Thanks to the size and flexibility of the PCB team, individual team members can substitute for one another when necessary. This ensures continuity of production and significantly reduces the risk of production limitations or suspension.

Among other things, for perfect and fast production, correct data input from the customer is essential. An article by PCB production manager Radim Vítek advises how to prepare data so that production does not get stuck anywhere.

Thanks to the Expertise of Our Inspection Department’s PCB Team

The inspection department is also a closely cooperating part of the technical production preparation team. The work of the PCB team in the inspection department starts with the inquiry, when the manufacturability of the PCB is checked.

Subsequently, another optical inspection is carried out during production. The data provided by the customer is compared with the PCB being manufactured, while the quality of processes such as etching, drilling and plating is also checked.

In the second stage of production, an electrical test is carried out to verify the functionality of the board. X-ray-based inspection equipment is used to reveal even the smallest details of the manufacturing process. Uneven, insufficient or excessive plating in the holes or on the surface can result in faulty or non-functional PCBs.

The PCB team of the inspection department

The PCB team of the inspection department also performs the final output inspection. At this stage, the ordered data is once again compared with the manufactured PCB, the dimensions are checked and the overall quality is verified. If everything is in order, a quality certificate and any other protocols required by the customer are prepared.

Thanks to the cooperation of the PCB team in the inspection department with the technical production preparation and manufacturing teams, quality is continuously monitored throughout the entire production process.

Without these checks, it is not possible to complete production or deliver the PCB to the customer. Gatema PCB is supported by a PCB team of eleven quality inspectors whose work is essential to maintaining the high quality of every PCB we manufacture.

This experienced PCB team performs thorough inspections throughout the production process, helping to ensure that every board meets the required specifications. Their expertise and attention to detail play an essential role in building the reputation of Gatema PCB for quality and reliability.

The work of the PCB team of quality inspectors is therefore an integral part of our production process and one of the reasons why customers can rely on Gatema PCB.

The people behind Gatema PCB

Because that is the only way we are able to guarantee quality and stand behind our work. Reliable and fast PCB production is all about a functioning team that loves its work and does it with heart. It’s about people who can be relied on and who will cover for each other if someone is indisposed.

Production takes place in our own production hall, which you can view online.

Although only two teams were present this time, you can already see that Gatema PCB is large, has a solid foundation, and although based in the small Moravian town of Boskovice, has been doing good things well since 1992.

This year we will celebrate 30 years of Gatema PCB.