JLCPCB PCB manufacturing

JLCPCB PCB Manufacturing:
there is a few unclear options among other spec points:

  • Outer Copper Weight: 1 oz / 2 oz
  • Via Covering: Tented (Vias with solder mask ink covered) and Untented (Vias without solder mask ink covered)
    Which above options is common for regular PCB?

The default selections tend to be the common options for regular PCBs.

I go with the defaults as well. About the only settings I change are the quantity of boards and the colour of the boards. Had many boards made by JLCPCB using the defaults (inc 4-layer) and no problems.

Untented vias can sometimes be useful if you need to solder a wire to the trace when altering/correcting a design but there's usually a component leg accessible that the wire can be attached to instead.

Interestingly, allpcb.com say the following about Vias:

when I use jclpcb I always use the main default options and, any changes to the standard means the prices start shooting up.

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I usually order a compilation of multiple small sub-PCB's per 10x10cm board, so I change the default thickness to thinner boards without extra cost.

FYI:
The copper weight basically indicates how thick the copper on the board is. 2oz is thicker than 1oz.
You might choose 2oz if you have high current traces on your board.

Tented via are covered with the soldermask (it's usually a green ink).
Untented vias are not covered by soldermask but are covered with the selected surface finish. For enample if you selected gold (ENIG), the untented vias would be gold plated.

The default option is Tented vias. Not clear, if Soldermask is tented (covered) then how the component leads will be soldered?

The holes for components are different to vias. Component holes will have an exclusion zone around them to keep the solder mask away. Your board layout program will take care of all that for you.

Eluded to, but may not have been clear: 1 oz copper is the common weight used. The $2 special uses 1 oz. 2 oz. will increase the cost of your board.

Same here, with the exception of 'lead-free HASL' which does influence the price a bit on most colours but quite a lot on some other coloured PCBs (needless to say my colour choice has become more limited)

Before you go any further, I think you should spend some time learning the PCB terminology and the capabilities of your CAD software.
Do you know what a soldermask is?
Does JLCPCB use the soldermask you create?

I haven't ordered from JLCPCB before. I know terminology. What I didn't find was the "vias" meaning.

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If you know the terminology then you would know what via means.
Spending some time now learning the terminology may save you time and money later on

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Hi, @kvantum

Before you go to PCB, have you built and got operating a feasible prototype?

What is your project?

Thanks.. Tom.... :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

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There is an option for lead free finish - worth specifying

Definitely, but the price differences between colours is remarkable.

I think tented is more common in spec,when i order 2OZ,it usually takes extra money

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