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What is PCB tenting?
Tenting or capping in PCB means covering the annular ring and via hole with solder mask. Tented Vias are those that are completely covered with soldermask.
Should I tent vias?
Tented vias will be more resistant to physical damage and electrical shorts. Vias that are also in close proximity to SMT pads should also be tented. This will prevent the solder paste from wicking into the via and creating a poor solder joint. This is especially important with dogbone style BGA escaping.
Are PCB vias bad?
Circuit board vias in PCB design aren’t inherently good nor bad but a tool, like any other. If you know how to use them, they can be helpful in a multitude of ways. If not, you’ll only end up ruining your work.
What does it mean to tent a via?
Tenting a via refers to covering via with soldermask to enclose or skin over the opening. A via is a hole drilled into the PCB that allows multiple layers on the PCB to be connected to each other. A non-tented via is just a via that is not covered with the soldermask layer.
How are PCB vias filled?
To create a copper-filled via, the manufacturer fills the through holes with epoxy resin and copper. The extra materials add cost to board production, but copper-filled vias make a PCB more suitable for certain applications. Copper-filled vias also feature capabilities that other conductive fillings do not provide.
Are there any problems with using via tenting?
With all the advantages seen with via tenting, one could conclude that no other options exist. However, problems can occur with tenting. In some instances, wet processing of a PCB allows the surface finish process or PCB cleaning solutions to become trapped in the via after full tenting.
What’s the difference between Via and via tenting?
Via Tenting for PCB Design. Tenting a via refers to covering via with soldermask to enclose or skin over the opening. A via is a hole drilled into the PCB that allows multiple layers on the PCB to be connected to each other.
How big does a via need to be to use via tenting?
The process of via tenting works best with smaller diameter vias that have a diameter of 12 mil or less. In particular, via tenting works well for vias have a close proximity to pads. Fabricators often recommend via tenting for BGA packages that have small footprints.
What can I use to cover tenting vias?
The application of a solder mask over the vias to cover it (tenting vias), can be done in several ways. The most common methods include curtain, screen coating, and spray. In certain conditions, these methods may be insufficient for proper tenting of the vias on all sides.