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The world of technology and gaming peripherals is vast and astonishing. Mechanical keyboards have been a hot product in recent years, popular in both gaming setups and casual entertainment settings. They are loved by enthusiasts worldwide, especially for their satisfying typing feedback and durability. Transparent mechanical keyboards have garnered significant attention since their introduction.Transparent PCBs have unique advantages in optical applications, combining aesthetics with functionality. Their transparent substrate can reduce light scattering and absorption, thus enhancing the efficiency of optical devices. In terms of aesthetic design, transparent PCBs combined with transparent housings (such as glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc.) can create unique visual effects. Transparent keyboards leverage these advantages to achieve a perfect blend of light and electronics.Transparent Custom Flexible vs Transparent KeyboardsTheir cases are exquisite and far surpass the appearance of ordinary keyboards. The transparent keycaps complement the dual-layer casing. The inner layer features a unique custom flexible PCB that visually merges with the keycaps above, a distinctive feature that sets transparent keyboards apart. The user interface design is aesthetically pleasing and offers excellent display value even as a decorative piece.Transparent Mechanical Keyboard: The Beauty of Technology, Crafting Your Unique Style _ Keyboards_ What's Worth Buying Transparent keyboards are made from transparent materials, sually melted polymers such as polycarbonate. These materials are strong, have good transparency, and smooth surfaces. The key feature of transparent keyboards is that users can see the inside through the surface, thus not only enabling normal input work but also allowing the appreciation of the keyboard’s internal workings. With a unique appearance, prolonged use does not cause visual fatigue. Transparent keyboards are easy to clean because users can see inside clearly, reducing dust accumulation. Users can better grasp input feedback, observing whether keys function normally, saving some time.Things you need to pay attention to before buyingTransparent keyboards use special materials, hence they are more expensive. The transparent PCBs used in Transparent Keyboards are flex PCB prototypes, which require highly transparent substrates and conductive materials, increasing the cost of production.Customer FeedbackSome customers who have purchased or are considering purchasing transparent keyboards have given their reviews. Innovative Design and Functionality: The Role of Transparent PCBs in Modern Keyboards: Transparent keyboards have gained popularity primarily due to their aesthetic appeal and practicality. To achieve a combination of beauty and functionality, the design of transparent keyboards is often quite complex, requiring greater investment in materials and technology. For instance, the most fundamental component, the transparent PCB, is a core element of transparent keyboards. These keyboards typically incorporate one or more transparent PCBs as basic materials. The pursuit of overall transparency and a futuristic aesthetic necessitates the use of transparent PCBs, which provide visibility of the internal structure, enhancing the visual appeal of the product. Within the keyboard, the transparent PCB serves the essential function of signal transmission, converting keystroke actions into computer-recognizable input signals. Not only do transparent PCBs fulfill the basic functions of a keyboard, but they may also integrate additional features such as backlight control. To achieve the desired level of transparency, keyboard manufacturers must employ special materials and technologies in the production of PCBs, which tend to be more costly compared to traditional PCBs, as they must ensure transparency and circuit stability. Transparent PCBs allow designers to create more innovative designs without sacrificing functionality, enabling complex patterns, logos, or text to be directly incorporated onto the PCB, eliminating the need for additional decorative elements. For users who value personalization and a futuristic feel, transparent keyboards, with their unique style showcased through internal transparent PCBs, offer an unparalleled user experience.  1.What is an optical PCB? What role does it play in a transparent keyboard?A: "Optical PCB" (Printed Circuit Board) is not an industry-standard term, but based on the context below, it may refer to this concept. Transparent PCB: This could imply that the circuit board has transparent or semi-transparent properties, allowing light to pass through. Such a concept could be useful in applications where light needs to pass through the circuit board, such as in certain display technologies, optoelectronics, or photonic integrated circuits (PIC). A transparent keyboard utilizes this technology. However, traditional PCB materials are not transparent, so achieving transparency requires special materials and processes.2. Is this keyboard suitable for gaming?A: Yes, it is suitable for gaming and doesn't tire your hands, as it is also a type of mechanical keyboard. 3. Will the keycaps change color over time?A: No, they won't. 4.Is it easy to get dirty?A: Not really. I bought one, and as long as you don't touch it with greasy hands after eating, it seems to be quite resistant to getting dirty.

    Transparent PCBs have unique advantages in optical applications, combining aesthetics with functionality. Their transparent substrate can reduce light scattering and absorption, thereby enhancing the performance of optical devices. In terms of aesthetic design, transparent PCBs combined with transparent housings (such as glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc.) can create unique visual effects. Additionally, transparent PCBs have high transparency, allowing light to pass through, making them suitable for transparent displays and touchscreens. They also possess good flexibility, enabling them to be bent, folded, and curled as needed to fit various shapes and spaces, such as foldable phones and wearable devices. The high recyclability of transparent PCBs is also a significant advantage, as they can be decomposed through heating or dissolution, reducing environmental pollution and resource waste.If your project requires this type of transparent circuit board, understanding its applications is crucial. We have detailed this below, so please take a look! Is a Transparent Flexible PCB Worth It? Advantages: Provides multiple optical functionalities.Can be bent, twisted, folded, and moved in three-dimensional space.Weighs 90% less than rigid PCBs.Nano/micron-level precision in PCB manufacturing.Best suited for miniaturized, slim, and lightweight products. Disadvantages:Transparent flexible PCBs have many advantages, but they also come with some disadvantages.High Cost: The production of clear PCBs requires the use of highly transparent substrates and conductive materials, which are expensive, leading to higher costs for clear PCBs.Difficult Processing: The processing of clear PCBs requires precise techniques and equipment, with stringent requirements for temperature, time, environment, etc., making the processing more challenging.Reliability Issues: Reliability issues of clear PCBs mainly include bonding problems, plating problems, cutting problems, riveting problems, etc., which can affect the performance and reliability of transparent FPCs.Poor Dimensional Stability: Due to the impact of materials and processing technology, clear PCBs have relatively poor dimensional stability, making them prone to deformation and dimensional changes.Poor Chemical Resistance: Clear PCBs have relatively poor chemical resistance and are susceptible to corrosion by chemical substances.In summary, the disadvantages of clear PCBs mainly include high cost, difficult processing, reliability issues, poor dimensional stability, and poor chemical resistance. These disadvantages may impose certain limitations and challenges on the application and development of transparent clear PCBs. Reviews from Amazon Store about Transparent PCBs:User nnnndy68:All open-source things should be done this way, no need to look at the circuit diagrams anymore. User OBscurant:Looks good, but it's okay for simple motherboards; don't think about complex ones. You need large ground planes for DDR, USB high-speed signals for shielding and impedance reference, RF 50Ω impedance also needs a ground plane reference. A single or multiple complete ground planes are required for the main ground. Some power supplies also need large ground areas for shielding interference and current flow. Without enough ground and vias, PI and SI simulations won't pass. User ErEbus:The pursuit of glass substrates is for isotropy of high-speed signals. Current FR4 boards have different properties in the fiber direction versus non-fiber direction for high-speed signals, limiting the realization of high-speed signal designs. That's why glass substrates are proposed to solve this issue, rather than focusing on transparency. Through the above article, you probably have a general understanding now. Transparent PCBs can offer unique advantages in specific applications, such as: Optical Applications: Transparent PCBs can be used in optical devices, such as LED lighting, displays, and optical sensors. The transparent substrate can reduce light scattering and absorption, improving the efficiency of optical equipment.Aesthetic Design: Transparent PCBs can provide unique aesthetic designs, making products more attractive and appealing. This is particularly attractive for products that showcase internal circuits, such as custom keyboards, mice, power banks, creative electronic gifts, e-cigarettes, tablets, and automotive interior instrument panels.In summary, transparent PCBs have potential advantages in certain applications but still face some technological and cost constraints. With continuous innovation in materials and manufacturing technologies, transparent PCBs will find broader adoption in a variety of applications. People who pay attention to these issues usually also care about these issues： Charles: Do clear PCBs have lighting effects? If they do, would you be able to see the current running through the circuit? Answer: They can be designed with lighting effects, which is relatively simple. Austin Gardner: What is the strength like? How much heat can it withstand? Answer: It has the same hardness as regular FR4, and it can withstand medium-temperature solder at 205 degrees Celsius. icen09: Will it turn yellow? Answer:No, it won’t. KeyWorks: Compared to traditional PCBs, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Can they be a replacement? What about the cost? Answer:The cost is somewhat higher.

If you want to make a flexible PCB at home by yourself, it's not an easy task. Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up and get ready to start learning how to make your own flexible printed circuit boards!First, you need to design the pattern you want on the softwareSecond, you need to prepare the materials and tools.There are several factors to consider before you start making it.Third, print out the designed circuit board using a printer. The fourth step is etching.☢   Please note that etching a PCB and removing the toner requires careful handling of chemicals and proper safety measures. If you're attempting this at home, ensure you follow all safety guidelines and use appropriate equipment1. Design and Preparation :Flex PCB design software(1) PCB Artist Advanced Circuits is a leading PCB manufacturer with the largest active customer database in the industry. Their developed PCB Artist helps save time and money. Key Features: Free Gerber file format, component library with over 500,000 parts, integrated schematics, BOM reports in CSV format, DRC error reports between selected projects. Cost: Free.(2) Ultiboard NI leverages its open, software-centric platform, modular hardware, and extensive ecosystem to accelerate engineering success. Electronic engineers specifically choose National Instruments' Ultiboard because it provides a rapid PCB prototyping environment for various applications. Key Features: Seamless integration with Multisim, completing circuit schematics, SPICE simulation, and PCB layout in the same environment, accelerating PCB design through automatic functions while maintaining precision through manual control, praising Multisim's powerful SPICE simulation environment, featuring PCB layout and routing capabilities.Cost: Free evaluation; contact for pricing.(3) Altium Designer 19 Altium is a software company that provides PC-based electronic design software to engineers, offering Designer 17. This PCB design software for electronics engineers is considered the gold standard by many in the industry. Altium Designer 17 is efficient, easy-to-use, and meets the modern needs of professional electronics engineers. Key Features: Utilizes innovative technologies to help electronic engineers focus less on process and more on design, encouraging more inspired product design by focusing more on the creative aspects of workflow, achieving design automation, endless engineering scope, and very intuitive team collaboration. Cost: Free trial; contact for pricing.(4) PCBWebPCBWeb is a fully-featured design tool supporting schematics and PCB layout. For electronic engineers looking to simplify hardware design, PCBWeb is an ideal tool for designing and manufacturing electronic hardware. Key Features: Use PCBWeb's fast and simple drawing tools to design multi-page schematics, support copper pour and DRC checks, integrate Digi-Key part catalog with BOM manager. Cost: Free.(5) BSch3V BSch3V is a popular PCB design software tool from Suigyodo Online suitable for engineers needing a free solution. BSch3V is a schematic capture program compatible with Windows Vista/7/8/10, featuring basic functionalities for simplified operations. Key Features: Basic schematic capture, component library editor, BOM generator, netlist generator, auto-numbering software, CE3 search utility for searching CE3 files, source code and component libraries, Suigyodo also offers the free PCB editor software Minimal Board Editor. Cost: Free.Summary: There are many kinds of free PCB design software available, and this list only covers five for reference. When choosing PCB layout software, please conduct background research, checking its specifications, procedures, reliability, certifications, and services offered. This way, you can ensure that the design process for any type of PCB is safe, smooth, and easily accessible.2. Materials, Material Preparation, and ToolsThe most common materials used in flex PCBs include:· Conductors: Copper foil is the most commonly used material for making flex PCBs due to its excellent conductivity. Thus, a large amount of copper is not needed to make the PCB functional. It can also be provided in fully annealed or low-temperature annealed form, providing better bending characteristics.· Insulators and Cover Layers: Polyimide film is the most commonly used dielectric and insulator. It can serve as a cover layer, acting as an outer layer to insulate copper conductors.· PCB Surface Treatment: Prevents copper oxidation and provides a solderable surface. One of the most common surface treatments is Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG), which is used on about 80% of circuit boards. This treatment provides a thin, solderable layer of gold, creating a nickel barrier between the copper and the gold wire, thus protecting the copper. Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion Gold (ENEPIG) is a three-layer metal coating used on PCBs requiring wire bonding. The electroless nickel protects the copper and prevents contact with other metals. Palladium provides another layer of anti-tarnish protection and a wire bondable surface, preventing nickel corrosion, while the final gold layer increases solderability and acts as an anti-tarnish barrier.·Copper Etchant: Requires the printed paper to be placed in ferric chloride (copper etchant) for at least 5 minutes for etching.Tools Used: Solid ink printer1. Principles of PCB Design Factors to consider before design:· PCB Layout Concept: All ideas applied to the PCB layout should ultimately be finalized, considering aspects such as circuits and interconnections, dimensions, scope, layout, characteristics, and other features. These considerations provide guidance for the actual manufacturing of the PCB. Correct placement and a sound design concept will help produce the best printed circuit board. It’s important to remember that there are many documents that need to be kept when making a PCB design course. These documents are crucial as they contain the background data and information for each PCB. You can easily trace back and check for errors in the PCB layout; these may be found in the actual schematic diagram or in the actual concept, the materials used, or the component layout. Some layout software has features that allow you to create and automatically save documentation.Designing a circuit board with any type of software involves different considerations. It is essential to consider the following steps and aspects: To explain the principles of PCB design, one must understand the concept of a PCB as described above—a printed circuit board made of non-conductive substrates (such as glass, fiber, or paper) with copper foil etched to leave conductive areas. The graphical design information necessary to form the circuit on the PCB is the PCB design itself, representing how the circuit will be realized on the PCB. Graphical design information is the first stage of implementing the electronic circuit to achieve the product’s functionality, primarily derived from the description of the product’s purpose.Without a circuit diagram, nothing can begin. After we create the circuit diagram and install components like ICs and chips, register them in CAD, and input the schematic information into a dedicated PCB layout CAD system, the work is usually handled by specialized layout designers. The circuit designer mainly inputs the necessary information, the minimum required being the PCB size, hole diameters, PCB and copper foil thickness, and the position of installed components, all specified by the circuit designer in advance. The ultimate goal of PCB design is practical application in the form of a PCB, used internally in appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs, etc. The tools used to materialize the PCB into an electronic circuit board and embed it into the product are dedicated schematic CAD and PCB layout CAD systems. The PCB design process generally includes designing the electronic circuit, converting the circuit into an actual bill of materials (BOM), and then creating a copper foil pattern circuit on the PCB in the form of a pattern representing the circuit and mounted components.3.DIY Flexible Printed Circuit Steps① Obtain copper-clad laminate.First, prepare some thin polyimide sheets, which have copper on one or both sides. Polyimide is a high-melting yellow polymer, sometimes called Kapton, a common copper coating, and polyimide is DuPont's "Pyralux" material. Pyralux sheets have polyimide thickness, copper thickness, and adhesive thickness ("adhesive" is located between the copper and polyimide, holding everything together). Copper thickness is measured in ounces per square foot, while adhesive and Kapton thickness are measured in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch). Pyralux LF7062 (as shown) has 1/2 ounce copper, 1/2 mil adhesive, and 1 mil Kapton. This material works fine but is a bit thin for printers and prone to wrinkling. LF9120 contains 1 ounce copper, 1 mil adhesive, and 2 mil Kapton—seems to work best in printers. LF9210 contains 2 ounces copper, 1 mil adhesive, and 1 mil Kapton—harder but works fine. Other options are double-sided copper (Cu/Kapton/Cu laminate held together with adhesive) and rough surfaces, indicated by an "R" at the end of the part number. Rough boards and double-sided boards work fine. However, Pyralux with 2 ounces or thicker copper can be difficult to feed through a printer, especially if both sides are copper. Therefore, the choice of sample is critical. Sometimes Pyralux boards can be bought on eBay. Cut the Pyralux board to 8.5x11 or 8.5x14 inches with scissors or a knife. Avoid getting fingerprints or oil on the copper, as it could block the etching solution later. And to protect the printer, try to keep the edges relatively flat and burr-free.② Print using a solid ink printer. If printing directly onto the copper laminate, a solid ink printer is best. They print melted wax, which can provide a protective layer for copper etching, unlike most inkjet printers where the wax adheres well to copper. Unlike laser printers, solid ink printers do not rely on localized charging of the paper surface, which can be problematic when the paper is replaced with a copper sheet. Some models are Tektronix Phaser 840, 850, 860, and Xerox Phaser 8200, 8400, 8500, 8560, and 8860. Most Phaser models are regular laser printers. If a solid ink printer is unavailable, you can use the "toner transfer" method with a laser-printed design instead of this step.③ Printing on Pyralux. After drawing the design in a graphics program, manually feed it through the printer and print it in black on the Pyralux sheet. Cyan, magenta, yellow, green (50/50 cyan + yellow), red (50/50 yellow + magenta) seem to work too, but avoid light tones composed of small dots on a white background. The printed area will protect the wax and eventually become the copper traces on the layout.Note added 3-7-08: Print using "high resolution" or "photo" mode. This setting is typically found in the "print settings" menu of the graphics program. High-resolution mode prints slower, promoting better wax adhesion to the copper. 10 mil (250 micron) wide lines and spaces were printed with a Tektronix Phaser 850 (older model).In most Phasers, when the copper enters the manual feed and comes out inverted, the copper side is face down. If the manual feed gears cannot catch the paper (more likely with thicker paper), give it a manual push.④ Etching. Place the copper-clad laminate in an oscillating etching tank with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide to remove excess copper layers. (This can be done in a basin, shaking by hand, with slightly warmer water to speed up the etching process.) Those with sufficient budget can buy an etching machine online.The correct ratio of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, along with a high-speed oscillating etching tank, is key to achieving quick and perfect etching. After rinsing with water, the etched circuit board can be removed.⑤ Using acetone or steel wool, remove the black toner, and your PCB board is complete.Got it? It’s actually pretty simple, For those who know how... Good luck.4. FAQ4.1 What is flexible circuit design? Flexible circuit design refers to the design and layout of printed circuits using flexible substrate materials that can bend, twist, and flex during use.4.2 Flexible circuits: Design tips and assembly considerations? That is, the designer must pay attention to certain design aspects:· Minimum hole sizes.· Minimum trace widths.· Minimum spacing between traces and pads.· Minimum distances to design edges.· Flex circuit/board outline tolerances.· Distance of copper geometries from flex circuit/board edges.· Copper and overall design thicknesses.4.3 How many layers can a flex PCB have?The multi-layer capability of flex PCBs allows for highly integrated circuits.While there is no theoretical limit, practical considerations typically limit flexible PCBs to 12-16 layers or fewer. Higher layers are available, but due to increased complexity, cost, and manufacturing challenges, they are only used for special applications and sometimes require special channel customization.

1.1 What are high-frequency PCB?Key Characteristics of High Frequency PCBs  High frequency circuit board refers to a special type of circuit board with high electromagnetic frequency, used for PCBs in the fields of high frequency (frequency greater than 300MHz or wavelength less than 1 meter) and microwave (frequency greater than 3GHz or wavelength less than 0.1 meter). high-frequency boards can be defined as circuit boards with frequencies above 1GHz.High Frequency (HF) PCB is used to transmit electromagnetic waves in the frequency of GHz with minimal loses in the variety of applications, including mobile, microwave, radio frequency (RF) and high-speed design applications. Want to learn more about the applications of High Frequency (HF) PCB in electronic products and devices? Then please continue reading below.  1.2 Common Applications of High Frequency PCBsPrinted circuit boards (PCBs) serve as the foundation for electronic components and the bridge that connects circuits. They are widely used in fields such as communications electronics, consumer electronics, computers, automotive electronics, industrial control, medical devices, defense, and aerospace. PCBs are indispensable electronic components in modern electronic information products. The development level of the PCB industry can, to some extent, reflect the speed of development and technical standards of a country or region's electronic information industry. The upstream of the PCB industry chain includes raw materials such as copper-clad laminates, prepregs, copper foil, copper balls, gold salts, dry film, and ink. The midstream involves the manufacturing of PCBs, which can be categorized by material type into rigid boards, flexible boards, rigid-flex boards, and packaging substrates. The downstream sector sees widespread application across communications, consumer electronics, computers, automotive electronics, industrial control, medical devices, defense, and aerospace  1.3 Material ConsiderationsFirstly, high-frequency PCB materials are special materials used for handling high-frequency signals. In high-frequency applications, the signal transmission speed is very fast, so parameters such as the dielectric constant and loss factor of the PCB material have a significant impact on signal quality. Therefore, the choice of material is particularly important.The upstream of the PCB industry chain includes raw materials such as copper-clad laminates, prepregs, copper foil, copper balls, gold salts, dry film, and ink. The prices of PCB raw materials produced in China are relatively low, with performance comparable to imported products. Representative manufacturers include: 东莞生益、上海南亚新材料、台州旺菱、泰星微波、常州中盈、工力陶瓷板、泰耀TUC：Tuc862、872SLK、883、933...Overseas ones include:1) Rogers: Rogers: RO4003, RO3003, RO4350, RO5880, etc. With the development of 5G millimeter waves, Rogers has also launched multiple low loss circuit boards suitable for millimeter waves.RO3000 series: PTFE circuit materials based on ceramic filling, with models including RO3003, RO3006, RO3010, and RO3035 high-frequency laminates.RT6000 series: PTFE circuit material based on ceramic filling, designed for electronic and microwave circuits that require high dielectric constant. The models include RT6006 with a dielectric constant of 6.15 and RT6010 with a dielectric constant of 10.2.TMM series: composite materials based on ceramics, hydrocarbons, and thermosetting polymers, models: TMM3, TMM4, TMM6, TMM10, TMM10i, TMM13i. and so on2) Taconic: TLX series, TLY series, etc3) Panasonic: Megtron 4, Megtron 6, etc4) Isola: FR408HR, IS620, IS680, etc5) Nelco: N4000-13, N4000-13EPSI, etcThere is a significant difference in material selection between high-frequency PCBs and standard PCBs. The application areas of high-frequency PCBs are also very extensive, including fields such as communications, radio, radar, and satellite navigation. With the development of wireless communication and high-speed data transmission, the importance of high-frequency PCBs will become increasingly prominent, and their development prospects are very promising. Therefore, for applications requiring high-frequency signal transmission, choosing a high-frequency PCB is essential. If you are looking for High Frequency (HF) PCBs, you can contact us at Rocket-PCB. We can offer you competitive prices and high-quality products. Click to see more High Frequency PCB & RF Microwave PCB information about this product。Other Questions People Who Search for High Frequency PCB Also Care About:The causes of high-frequency PCB overheating mainly include improper component placement, environmental and external heat factors, incorrect selection of parts and materials, and manufacturing defects in PCB design. When a PCB receives a high-frequency signal, the circuit materials will eventually start to generate heat. PCBs have a maximum operating temperature (MOD) they can handle. If this temperature is exceeded, it threatens performance and can lead to side effects such as PCB expansion.Why is High Frequency PCB so expensive?High-frequency PCB materials are special materials used for handling high-frequency signals. There are significant differences between high-frequency PCBs and standard PCBs in terms of design requirements, material selection, manufacturing processes, and performance indicators. As a result, the unit production cost for high-frequency PCB manufacturing is relatively high.What is the difference between standard PCB design and high-frequency PCB design?Below are some answers I’ve gathered from Quora that might be helpful to you:Eric Hakanson:I think the simplest answer to this is that in high-frequency PCB design, the PCB has to be considered as a component. This is often used on purpose—you can create filters on a high-frequency PCB by judicious placement of traces!Allen Dutra:Curved traces and specifying Low Loss prepreg and core fiberglass are also hallmarks of high-frequency PCB design. Blind and buried vias can also be important in a high-speed multilayer board for removing stubs.AAAS ABY:High-frequency PCBs require materials with a lower dielectric constant and dielectric loss to reduce energy loss and signal distortion during signal transmission. Common high-frequency PCB materials include PTFE, FR-4, and RF-35, while standard PCBs typically use FR-4 material. The design requirements for high-frequency PCBs are more stringent, needing consideration of signal transmission speed, impedance matching, signal integrity, etc. In contrast, standard PCB design is relatively simple, mainly focusing on circuit connectivity and layout.