How to Apply Copper Thieving in PCB Production

Copper thieving is a progressive caution process to achieve copper distribution balance without compromising PCB performance. 

It is a simple step-by-step process:

Find Low Copper Density Areas

• Inspect the Design: Check your PCB design for the areas that comprise low copper feature density. Such areas are prone to issues like non-uniform plating and warping.

• Use Design Software Tools: Employ features of your PCB design software to show and calculate copper distribution across the board.

Choose Appropriate Thieving Patterns

• Choose Suitable Shapes: The default copper thieving patterns are dots, squares, or grids. 
• The choice is dependent on the real design requirements and the dimensions of the low-density areas.

• Ensure Non-Connectivity: The PCB thieving patterns should be electrically separated from the working circuits to prevent interference.

Maintain Adequate Clearance

• Prevent Signal Interference: Place copper thieving patterns at a sufficient distance from signal traces and components to prevent electrical coupling or short circuits.

• Follow Design Rules: Follow clearance rules specified in your PCB design software and manufacturing procedures.

Symmetry and Balance

• Distribute Thieving Evenly: Distribute copper thieving patterns uniformly across the PCB to provide structural balance and prevent warping during thermal processes.

• Maintain Layer Consistency: For multilayer boards, maintain copper distribution not only on one layer but on every layer for overall board integrity.

Work with Your Manufacturer

• Take Expert Consultation: Get your PCB fabricator’s consultation early during the design phase to understand their individual requirements and capabilities regarding copper thieving.

• Leverage Their Expertise: Fabricators are in a position to provide good advice regarding best PCB thieving practices depending on their manufacturing process and machinery.

Review and Approve the Design

• Do Design Rule Checks (DRCs): Use your PCB design tool to do DRCs with the aim of verifying that copper thieving pattern addition complies with all the rules of design.
• Electrical Performance Simulation: Simulate the electrical performance of the PCB as much as possible and make sure that PCB thieving patterns are not compromising signal integrity.

Conclusion

Copper thieving is a step required in the manufacture of PCBs to provide for homogeneous copper distribution and prevent warping, non-uniform plating, 

and defects. By incorporating worthless copper designs appropriately, manufacturers can improve quality output, reliability, and reduced cost. Advances in electronics, 

however, render copper thieving still relevant in the achievement of high-quality and durable circuit boards.

Need reliable and durable PCBs? Contact Hycxpcba today for top-quality PCB manufacturing with advanced PCB copper thieving techniques.