4 Layer PCB manufacturing from PCB HERO

4 Layer PCB manufacturing from PCB HERO

4 Layer PCB Boards

A 4-layer PCB is a multilayer printed circuit board with the fewest circuit layers. Even though 4 layer PCBs are the most basic among multilayer PCBs, they are much more advanced than single or double-layer boards, because 4 layer PCBs allow the possibility of:

  • more complex circuit design,
  • 1+2+1 HDI capability,
  • reduced space and more functions,
  • better EMI shielding through the ground and power layers.

4 Layer PCB Manufacturer

PCB HERO is a reliable 4 layer PCB manufacturer and also one of the cheapest 4 layer PCB manufacturers.

Relying on advanced PCB manufacturing capabilities, PCB HERO provides all types of 4 layer PCBs, such as rigid-flex PCBs, flexible PCBs, high-speed PCBs, 1+2+1 HDI PCBs, high Tg FR4 PCBs, etc.

PCB HERO provides turnkey 4-layer PCB manufacturing and assembly without minimum order quantity limit, from prototyping to bulky fabrication.

Hear 4-layer PCB manufacturing comments from one of our customers who is an engineer:

"I have to say I'm quite impressed by the quality of work PCB HERO guys have carried out! The panelizing also came as a surprise to me and was beautifully done. I've also noticed that they do 4-layer boards at a price lower than most of their competitors."

4 Layer PCB Manufacturing

For 4 layer PCBs, the second and third circuit layers are the so-called "inner layers". 4 layer PCB manufacturing begins with inner layers. Let's look at the normal 4 layers FR4 PCB manufacturing process below.

Step 1. Pre-clean the Copper Plate Laminates

 

FR4 copper plate laminates are composed of glass fiber epoxy resin covered by two copper layers. The two copper layers will become the second the third circuit layers of the 4 layer PCB in the next steps.

At first, the copper plate laminates are chemically cleaned to remove the protective coating, surface roughened, and coated with photoresist (so-called dry film) to make preparation for circuit pattern imaging.

Step 2. Inner Layers Imaging (photoresist imaging)

The aim of this step is to generate the second and third circuit layers on the copper plate laminate. Above the copper plate, places the opaque PCB layout film which draws the transparent circuits.

The UV light irradiates on the surface of the inner plate. Photoresist under the transparent film hardens and form a protective film to the copper under it, while photoresist under the opaque film is still in the liquid state.

Then the liquid photoresist is washed away with chemical liquid.

Next, the exposed copper is etched away with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), while the copper under the hardened photoresist film is safe and sound.

Then the hardened photoresist film is peeled off. Now, the copper circuit is done, and the inner layers are finished.

Before the next lamination process, the inner layers are AOI tested to make sure the circuit is all right.

Step 3. Lamination

The aim of this step is to layer up the two external copper layers on the inner plate. The two external copper layers will be the first and fourth circuit layers insulated from the inner layers by prepreg.

First, on the copper surface of the inner layers, we create an oxidation layer so that the surface is roughened and easy to integrate with prepreg. We call this process "brown oxide" if the oxidation is Cu₂O, "black oxide" if the oxidation is CuO.

Next, the two alternating layers are layered-up on both sides of the inner plate.

Then, under high temperatures and high pressure, the 4 layers are laminated without air trapped between them. The resin in the prepreg melts and cures, and the copper layers are bonded and insulated tightly.

Step 4. Drilling and Electroplating Plated-Through Holes

4 PCB layers are electrically connected by PTH holes. First, the 4-layer board is mechanically drilled, and the excessive prepreg on the edges of the board is cut.

Then, the PTH hole walls are electroplated with copper. PCB HERO already replaces the traditional electroplating baths with the VCP (vertical continuous plating) machine. The PTH via copper thickness of 4 layer PCBs from PCB HERO is custom, from 1/3oz to 6oz.

Note
1+2+1 HDI 4 layer PCB manufacturing is different from the above. Before the lamination process, the 1st and 4th copper layers are pre-drilled with microvias by laser, and the second and third layers are plated-through drilled. 4 layer PCB manufacturing with HDI requirements is much more complicated. PCB HERO can manufacture 4 layer HDI PCBs without a minimum quantity limit to the best quality.

Step 5. Circuit Generation on 1st and 4th Layers

Photoresist imaging on the two external copper layers is similar to that on the external layers, but the UV light hardens the non-circuit areas, and copper on the circuit areas is washed away.

Then the circuit area is electroplated with copper than with tin, while the non-circuit area is insulated by the protective dry film and not electroplated.

Next, the dry film on the non-circuit area is peeled off. And the exposed copper is etched away by NaOH.

Then tin on the circuit area is removed. Now, only the copper circuit is left on the 4-layer PCB board.

Step 6. Solder Mask, Surface Finish, and Silkscreen

Solder mask is the protective film on the PCB surface, and surface finish is the protective film on the PCB pads. Silkscreen is the symbol printed on the PCB surface when the solder mask and surface finish processes are completed.

At PCB HERO, the solder mask color for the 4 layer PCBs can be green, red, blue, black, yellow, mink, brown, white, purple, transparent. Solder mask types include line-to-pad and registration.

Surface finishes for the 4 layer PCBs can be HASL, lead-free HASL, ENIG, OSP, immersion tin, immersion gold, immersion silver, hard gold plating, peelable mask, carbon ink.

Silkscreen color for the 4 layer PCBs can be white, black, yellow, blue, red.

Step 7. Final Shaping

The 4-layer PCBs are manufactured on a panel and they need to be separated. The aim of this step is to treat the edge of the PCBs, such as half holes, v-cut.

Step 8. 4-Layer PCB Test, FQC, and Packaging

 

The basic tests for PCBs are electrical tests including the flying probe test and bed-of-nail test. If your 4-layer PCBs are used in the medical, automotive, aerospace, defense industries, there is also the four-terminal sensing to test the PCBs.

During and before the 4 layer PCB manufacturing, there have been tests to make sure solderability, PCB hole quality, electroplating copper, lamination, cleanness, and moisture absorption.


The above steps show how 4 layer PCBs are made. Apart from cost-effective 4 layer PCB manufacturing, PCB HERO also provides 4 layer PCB assembly, electronic components for your boards, free DFM, DFT, and DFX, and one-on-one engineering support for your project.

Don't hesitate to contact PCB HERO by email at sales@pcb-hero.com .  if you have any needs.

Conclusion

4 layer PCBs belong to multilayer PCBs, and 4-layer PCB manufacturing is a lot more complex than single or double-layer PCB manufacturing. This article shows the whole 4-layer PCB manufacturing process step-by-step, and also recommends you a reliable and cheap 4 layer PCB manufacturer PCB HERO.