What are some of the benefits and downsides of moving from a two layer PCB with components on a single side, to a four layer PCB with components on both sides?

We got a quotation sheet of four layers board but it greatly exceed our budget. So now we are thinking about reduce layers to save cost. Does this solution work?

Two-layer is cheaper, while the four layers will cost more. Because

  • There are twice as many layers to etchand then laminate.
  • It will take almost twice as much work, steps and materials to fabricate.
  • It will also take two assembly passes for pick and place instead of one.
  • Anything manually placed through hole will also take one more pass for the second size.

Only drilling and 2 silkscreen and 2 solder resist will remain the same.

 

Compared to four layers, double sided

  • will allow a significant gain in component density.
Primary side taller stuff, large scale ICs and connectors
Secondary side low profile passives (chip resistors & capacitors) and perhaps low profile ICs and diodes, signal transistors
  • That will allow a smaller PCA footprint, so the PCA costs are saved in enclosure and overall size. Thus, the user-friendly weight of PCB will suit portable equipment.

Read More: Comprehensive Guide to Multilayer PCB Design

#PCB Design

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Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.
Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

What Others Are Asking

Why the PCB is cold, but LED bulbs are still hot?

I have a THERMAL problem when designing a power LED ALUMINUM PCB. I have 10 5W UV power LEDs.Coldwater flows through water heat sink continuously. The problem is the PCB is cold, but LED bulbs are still hot? Can anyone give me some advice.

Can we do wave solder the through hole parts without masking it?

We would like to do wave soldering for the through hole components. All through hole components are top side of PCB. Only test points, which require mask during process, are on the bottom side. So there is a extra labour cost at adding and removing the mask. Can we do wave solder the through hole parts without masking it?

Is scavenging parts from consumer electronics for own commercial products, a good idea?

I have a product that I’m trying to bring to market testing and if successful I’ll get them manufactured. For prototype I pulled a camera PCB from an old webcam. It so happens that because my volume of production is low it is actually three times cheaper to buy brand new webcams and pull the PCB and camera off it. Could I get into trouble for doing this?

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