Essential Guidelines To Follow Regarding The Handling Of Rigid Flex Circuit Boards

You won’t face any shortages when it comes to companies that create PCBs. Of course, you will do your homework and then choose a supplier. However, your partnering agency’s task ends after the construction of the product and its delivery. Once you receive the items, you are the one who has to maintain and protect it. You should know that PCBs are highly sensitive components. They require special handling as well as storage. If you are new to the business of producing electronic devices, then you may not know how to handle PCBs. Here are a few guidelines that you must follow once a shipment arrives in your hands.

1.      Transportation rack: First of all, you should consider investing in a transportation rack for Rigid Flex Circuit Boards. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a tray cart or a transportation bracket. You should try and refrain from handling a PCB as much as possible. Whenever you have to touch a PCB, make sure that you or your technicians are wearing clean gloves. It is something mandatory if you don’t want to spoil the PCBs.

2.         Using gloves: As already mentioned, you should resort to the use of gloves. Without them, you should never handle Rigid Flex Circuit Boards. This method is applicable when the items are out of their packages and exposed to the elements. Nothing may happen if you touch PCBs without gloves. However, prevention is always better than searching for a cure.

3.       Protective bags: If you aren’t using a circuit board for manufacturing your goods, you should keep it inside a protective bag. PCBs are susceptible to moisture, and the vapor in the atmosphere can ruin them. If they spend a lot of time outside, then they will surely go down the drain. It is especially true for the areas where you run your operations. These places pack a lot of humidity, which can damage a PCB.

4.     Vacuum sealing: The best way to preserve a PCB is to keep them inside vacuum-sealed packages. PCBs attract moisture, and you may have to bake the board before using it for manufacturing purposes. Creators of PCBs deliver you their products in vacuum-sealed bags with a moisture-level indicator. You should inspect it to know the floor life of the PCB before it requires baking.

5.        Cleanliness: Another crucial point to consider is cleanliness. All the areas where technicians handle PCBs should remain clean. You and your employees should always use clean gloves. Don’t forget to sanitize your hands before working with the PCBs. You must ensure that the workstations are free from all sources of contamination as well.

Don’t underestimate it

All these precautionary measures can make your life hectic. However, you can’t afford to let your PCBs waste away. After all, you paid for them, and you need them for your business. Printed circuit boards, regardless of the types and specifications, are sensitive to natural elements. You have to be extremely careful and handle them with steady hands. Even the most rugged designs can lose their purpose and capability if you mishandle them. Then you won’t be able to put them to use at all.