From the bench
The CopperPCB blog
Practical notes for engineers getting boards built: the parts we use, how to design for them, and how to send a kit that builds the first time.
What's in the jellybean jar
The brands behind every free passive on your board, from Murata capacitors to Vishay resistors, and why we chose them.
Read →Brands we like to see in your kit
Chips, connectors and LEDs make your board yours. If you're choosing them, these are the makers we'd pick.
Read →The true cost of buying your own jellybeans
Passives cost pennies. Buying them for a prototype run costs a lot more than that. Here is where the money and time really go.
Read →Designing for 0402: a practical guide
Footprints, tombstoning, vias, fiducials and capacitor derating. How to lay out a board that builds cleanly with 0402 and larger parts.
Read →How to ship moisture-sensitive chips
What MSL ratings mean, how long a chip can sit out of its bag, and how to pack your kit so nothing needs baking.
Read →