Do you want to know how much it will cost to manufacture the High-Density Interconnector (HDI) PCB? You have come to the right place. We have covered the relevant information you will need to determine the actual cost of manufacturing an HDI PCB.

What Is HDI PCB?

HDI PCB Manufacturing And Its Cost

You may be wondering what HDI PCB is all about. If that is the case, you will find answers to that shortly. Before that, it is pertinent to mention that Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are used by electronic companies to protect the components and electrical connections in their products.

Having said, the High-Density Interconnector PCB (HDI PCB) is a type of circuit board that features more properties than what we have had on the other Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

In addition to the better wiring that it provides, the HDI PCB also provides more number of interconnections and more organized assembly of the electrical components. The outcome of the structuring is that the size and weight of the electrical components will be reduced. That is partly because of the closer placement of the components and mainly because of the significant reduction of the board space.

By and large, the HDI PCB does a great job of enhancing the electrical performance of the circuit board without compromising on the functionalities.

How to Determine an HDI PCB

Some consumers may be confused about how to identify an HDI PCB. Well, that shouldn’t be a herculean task considering that you can leverage some tips to uncover an HDI PCB.

The general rule is that an HDI PCB is evaluated by the number of pins. Therefore, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that has an average of 120 to 160 pins per square inch is deemed an HDI PCB.

The Difference between HDI PCB and the Traditional PCB

Aside from the higher number of pins that make it different from the traditional PCB, the HDI PCB has more features.

If you are looking to see the other features that make the HDI PCB better than the traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), there are many of them. Below are some of them:

Wire Hiding

Hiding the wiring on the circuit board is the first advantage that the HDI PCB has over the traditional circuit boards.

That is made possible by the use of the Circuit Density that enables the convenient hiding of the wires. The convenience and the reduced size are some of the outcomes of the hidden wiring on the circuit board.

Better Precision

There may not have been a need to use the HDI PCB or prefer it over the traditional PCBs if there were no features that make it different. That is further affirmed by the better precision that it offers.

The idea here is that the HDI PCB offers better precision and performance of the electrical signals. For this to happen, the Micropore Technology used by the circuit board will be there to aid it.

It must be mentioned that the Micropore Technology is also there to provide the circuit board with high-level protection.

Compact Size

It is no news that the traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) have more spaces that make the circuit board bulky and large. That may always impact on the weight of the electrical appliances.

It is for that reason that the HDI PCB is highly preferred. That is so because of the compact size. In light of the compact size, more spaces will be saved.

The compact size came about because of something. The reason is that the aperture range is drastically decreased. The decrease in the aperture range is the reason why the pad size is also reduced. Considering that, it doesn’t become a herculean task for more components to be added to the circuit board.

Advantages of HDI PCB

Now that you know the differences that set the HDI PCB apart from the traditional PCBs, it is time we show you some of the amazing attributes.

There is more to the HDI PCB than just trying to beat the features and achievements of the traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

We have the time to detail the many advantages and benefits you tend to derive when you use the HDI PCB for your next Printed Circuit Board designs.

1. Versatility

There is no limit to where and how you can use your HDI PCB. Indeed, it is the definition of a versatile and all-around Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Of course, if there is any reason why the versatility of the HDI PCB is optimum, it is the design. At this point, the compact size of the board comes in handy to ensure that it can accept multiple components that will be used for different purposes.

Also, the HDI PCB is the best pick when improved performance, less weight, reliability of the circuit board, and limited space are the primary concerns.

2. Populated Sides

It is impressive to see that there is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that can allow for many components to be added to it. This hasn’t been the case, at least for the traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that offer limited space.

It is for that reason that the HDI PCB is highly preferred. The idea here is that it has populated sides, and those are the primary reason why the space is compact.

What the populated sides do is that they allow the PCB manufacturer or designer to have more space where multiple PCB components can be added to the circuit board. The beauty of it all is that the circuit board wouldn’t feel much of the impact in terms of weight and size, as the populated sides make everything compact.

3. Less Heat Transfer

If there is a reason why electrical appliances get damaged after some time, it is because of the dominance of heat. And if there is any reason why heat will continue to be a problem in circuit boards, it is because of the proximity to the components.

However, heat can be kept at bay and prevented from causing more damages to the circuit board. That is the work of the HDI PCB.

What the HDI PCB does here is that it first reduces the presence of heat on the board. Haven reduced the heat; the next step is to facilitate the smooth transfer of heat by making the same to travel farther up to the point where it will be made to escape from the HDI PCB.

4. Enhanced Signal Integrity

The role of signals and transmissions on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) cannot be underestimated, as that functions as the primary channel for enhancing the signal integrity on the board.

It is for that reason that the HDI PCB is there to bolster the signal integrity on the circuit board. It is possible for this to happen because of the compact size of the HDI PCB.

Besides, the HDI PCB uses the Blind Via Technology and Via-in-Pad as the primary components. The incorporation of the two aids in the closer placement of the PCB components. When that happens, it becomes easier to cut down on the longer distance that the signal path could have traveled.

As you may have guessed, the shorter the signal paths, as made possible by HDI PCB, the more improvements will be made in the signal strength.

5. Extended Battery Life

While you are interested in seeing the improved performance of the circuit board, you also have to consider the battery life.

The truth is that is the battery life doesn’t give off something good; it wouldn’t be long before the performance of the circuit board will also be negatively affected.

With that in mind, many consumers prefer the HDI PCB because of the extended battery life. And the reason why this type of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has an extended battery life is because of the drastic way it reduces power consumption.

That way, you are benefitting from two sides – the improved performance of the circuit board and the extended battery life.

6. Compact Design

The other advantage of the HDI PCB is the way it “compresses” everything so that it can fit into the circuit board.

Worthy of mention is that the compact design is made possible by the combination of the micro vias, the blind vias, as well as the buried vias. The trio helps to cut down the space requirement on the circuit board.

Moreover, the compact design of the HDI PCB plays an excellent role in the reduction of the weight of products. The idea here is that the products or electrical appliances to be manufactured using HDI PCB tend to fit into the design of the board.

That is not leaving out the excellent wiring that leaves room for the coupling process wouldn’t be limited by the entanglement of wires.

7. Fast Turnaround

If you are looking for a PCB design that can be completed in a good time, the HDI PCB is the one to consider.

Consumers prefer it because of the least requirement of sophisticated technology. When you are using the HDI PCB, you are also confident that the manufacturer wouldn’t find it hard to place the SMD components on the circuit board or find it difficult to locate the components on the board.

How to Find the Best HDI PCB Manufacturer

It is time to find the PCB manufacturer that will handle your HDI PCB project. It must be noted here that the manufacturer or PCB designer you decided to tag along with can either contribute to the increase or the decrease of the HDI PCB costs.

Having that in mind, below are some of the criteria for selecting the best PCB manufacturer for your HDI PCB design:

1. Excellent PCB Design

The first factor that will help you find the best HDI PCB is the excellence in PCB design.

You must have in mind that the PCB manufacturer shouldn’t only be good at the design alone. Rather, your focus should be on how the manufacturer can smoothly transition from prototyping to production.

Therefore, you must make out the time to check and evaluate the manufacturer’s pattern of designing the circuit board. You also want to look at the portfolio or previous HDI PCB designs that the manufacturer had handled.

2. Real-Time Quotation

We must not leave out the role of costs when selecting an HDI PCB manufacturer. Already, it is noted that the costs of manufacturing this type of PCB (HDI PCB) are affordable.

Yet, some other factors may impact on the costs. Factors like the production time, the quantity, as well as the shipping costs may contribute to the increase or affordability of the design.

Therefore, your consideration should be on the HDI PCB manufacturer that can offer real-time quotations. With that, you are sure of making a decision using the evaluated costs as the basis.

3. HDI PCB Design Procedure

Another good way of evaluating an HDI PCB manufacturer, as well as the costs is the procedure or the method of designing the circuit board.

Worthy of mention is that any HDI PCB manufacturer you want to use the services must be using the latest procedures.

For emphasis, you should consider using the services of an HDI PCB manufacturer that uses Laser Technology. Aside from being the PCB industry-standard, Laser Technology also helps to sophisticate the HDI PCB.

4. Order Specifications

Different consumers have different order capacities. Some may want to manufacture just a few while some will rather manufacturer in bulk.

When you have defined the number of HDI PCBs you want to design, the ideal thing to do is to look for the PCB manufacturer that can handle the order capacity you want.

5. Component Sourcing

Sourcing the components for the HDI PCB also has a role to play in the cost of the circuit board. That is why you have to consider partnering with an HDI PCB manufacturer that relates well with the component suppliers.

That way, you are confident that the best HDI PCB materials will be used for the design.

Final Thoughts

You now understand all there is to the HDI PCB design. If you are looking for where and how to start, the ideal thing to do is to contact the best HDI PCB manufacturers and they will take it up from there.