Advanced Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Material Applications with Strain Gage (Gauge) Technology

Micro-Measurements offers industry-leading strain gages (gauges), instruments, and accessories specifically designed for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) material testing and analysis. Engineers face significant challenges in ensuring the reliability and durability of PCBs, particularly under extreme conditions such as assembly loads, shock/drop testing, and shipping container qualification. Our strain gage (gauge) technology provides precise, real-time strain measurement data, enabling engineers to monitor stress and optimize PCB designs for improved performance. With our solutions, you can ensure your PCBs meet rigorous quality standards and remain resilient in demanding applications.

 
printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing line in a plant

Core Features of Micro-Measurements' Strain Gages for PCB Material Testing:

  • High-Accuracy Strain Measurement: Our strain gages deliver precise data on stress and strain in PCBs, helping engineers optimize designs and improve overall product reliability.
  • Designed for Fragile PCB Materials: Specifically engineered to measure strain without damaging sensitive PCB components, ensuring reliable performance even in complex testing scenarios.
  • Durable for Harsh Environmental Conditions: Built to withstand extreme temperatures, mechanical stress, and environmental factors, ensuring long-term reliability for PCB testing.
  • Pre-Cabled for Easy Installation: Pre-cabled strain gages simplify setup, making it easier to integrate into testing processes for consistent data collection.
  • Seamless Data Acquisition: Our strain gages work with modern data acquisition systems, enabling continuous and accurate monitoring during testing.

Targeted Solutions for Industry-Specific Applications

Fixture Qualification
When designing fixtures to test PCBs, accurate strain measurement is critical for ensuring that the fixture itself does not introduce undue stress. Our strain gages are used in fixture qualification to ensure accurate, unbiased testing results.


Four-Point Bend Test
In four-point bend tests, strain gages are applied to PCBs to measure how they respond to bending forces. Our sensors provide detailed data on the stress-strain curve, allowing engineers to understand the board’s flexibility and durability.


Assembly Loads
During the PCB assembly process, components are subjected to mechanical stresses. Our strain gages help engineers evaluate these assembly loads, ensuring that solder joints and other critical areas can withstand stress without failure.


Shock/Drop Testing
PCBs used in mobile devices, wearables, and consumer electronics are often subject to shock/drop testing to assess durability. Our strain gages provide real-time data on how the board behaves under sudden impacts, helping manufacturers improve product reliability.


Shipping Container Qualification
During transport, PCBs can be subjected to vibration and shock. Our strain gages are used to qualify shipping containers and packaging methods, ensuring that PCBs arrive at their destination without damage.

 

Advancing PCB Reliability with Micro-Measurements

In addition to the creation of strain gages (gauges) for testing Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), Micro-Measurements collaborates with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturers to help develop industry standards as set by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC). These standards include:

 

IPC / JEDEC specifications

IPC — JEDEC 9702 Monotonic Bend Characteristics of Board-Level Interconnects

IPC — JEDEC 9704 Printed Wiring Board Strain Gage Test Guideline

IPC — JEDEC JESD22-B111 Board Level Drop Test Method of Components for Handheld Electronic Products

 

Discover detailed information on strain measurement for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and Ball Grid Array (BGA) surface mount packaging.

 

For Our Full Range of Strain Gage Sensor Patterns

 

 


 

 

Optimize your Printed Circuit Board (PCB) material testing with Micro-Measurements’ advanced strain gage (gauge) technology. Contact our sales team today to discuss tailored solutions for your specific PCB applications, or visit our product catalog to learn more about our strain gages, adhesives, protective coatings, and data acquisition systems. Trust Micro-Measurements to deliver the precision and reliability you need for successful PCB testing and stress analysis.

 

Contact Our Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) Experts

 

 

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