In a recent article published in PCB Design 007 (January 2018 – See link below), one of the few Ph. D’s in the printed circuit board industry was interviewed regarding thermal issues. In particular, he and a colleague were questioning the numbers that have been long held as definitive facts. When we have an electronic product in our hands, there is a gross assumption that the thermal issues have been well thought out. Between questionable data and lack of knowledge in thermodynamics, this may not be the case.
The most obvious example is the computer. The ability to draw heat away from the motherboard is vital to its operation. It takes one event in which the computer is pushed hard for it to degrade its electrical components. Granted, the machine may still work, but the performance will take a hit. This is especially true on laptops, where components are crammed together to make the unit as thin and compact as possible.
In regards to the article, it was found that some of the temperature expectations based on existing IPC data on various copper connections were not correct. The IPC is an organization that provides guidelines and rules for PCB design to ensure manufacturability. But, this data was from the 1960s, and printed board manufacturing and design has evolved a great deal since then. What they were seeing on the lab bench was not jiving with the expected published values of long ago.
What was interesting about this article, like many other PCB related articles, there is a call out there to educate the electrical engineers on thermal design. This, again, is where the industry trips upon itself. Like PCB design, thermal dynamics is not taught to electrical engineers. A mechanical engineer would certainly know more about thermodynamics than an electrical engineer.
This is yet another reason why Mechanical Engineers need to get involved in the PCB design. We at Nine Dot Connects can assist you in facilitating it. Whether it be for SOLIDWORKS PCB tool training, PCB process training, or simply the need to have an expert design and layout your PCB, Nine Dot Connects can assist you. For more information, please contact us: info@ninedotconnects.com or call 214-699-7719.
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