How to design a single sided copper PCB? Let’s discover spec, benefits, design guide and manufacturing process for single sided copper PCB board.
Are you troubled with these problem?
- Is insufficient heat dissipation leading to a shortened product lifespan?
- Is high-frequency signal transmission loss affecting performance?
- Is it difficult to balance cost reduction and reliability?
Best Technology can provide service and solution:
- Using a high-thermal-conductivity aluminum substrate (thermal conductivity ≥ 2.0 W/m·K) and optimizing copper foil thickness, we’ve achieved a measured temperature reduction of 15-30°C.
- Low-k dielectric constant substrates and precise impedance control (tolerance ±5%) ensure stability in high-frequency scenarios like 5G and radar.
- Intelligent layout algorithms and a standardized material library reduce mass production costs by 20% and pass 5,000-hour burn-in tests.
Welcome to contact us if you have any request for metal core PCB: sales@bestpcbs.com.
What Is Single Sided Copper PCB?
A ‌single sided copper PCB‌ is the simplest type of printed circuit board, consisting of a single conductive copper layer bonded to one side of an insulating substrate (usually FR-4 fiberglass or phenolic material). The opposite side remains uncoated, making it ideal for straightforward circuits. Components are mounted and soldered onto the copper side, while traces (circuit paths) are created by etching away unwanted copper.
Single-Sided Copper PCB Specification
| Parameter | Specification |
| Base Material | FR-4 (Flame Retardant 4) or Phenolic Paper |
| Copper Thickness | 18 μm (0.5 oz/ft²) to 35 μm (1 oz/ft²) |
| Trace Width/Spacing | Minimum 0.2 mm (8 mil) for traces; 0.15 mm (6 mil) for spacing |
| Solder Mask | Liquid Photoimageable (LPI) or Dry Film Solder Mask (optional) |
| Silkscreen | White, black, or yellow ink (optional) |
| Surface Finish | HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling), ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold), or OSP |
| Board Thickness | 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm (standard) |
| Thermal Resistance | Tg 130°C (FR-4 standard) |
| Impedance Control | Not applicable (single-layer design) |
| Peel Strength | ≥1.0 kgf/cm (copper-to-substrate adhesion) |
| Flammability Rating | UL-94 V-0 (self-extinguishing) |
| Applicable Standards | IPC-6012 (Class 2/3), RoHS, REACH |
Advantages of Single Sided Copper PCB
- Low Cost – Simplified materials and processes reduce costs by 30%-50% compared to double-sided PCBs, making it suitable for budget-conscious projects.
- Easy Design Entry – Single-sided routing simplifies circuit design, allowing even novice designers to quickly design and shorten prototype verification cycles.
- Fast Production – Streamlined processes and a high degree of automation allow for 3-5-day delivery for regular orders and 24-hour shipping for urgent orders.
- Low Failure Rate – No vias or interlayer connections, resulting in minimal signal interference, high temperature and moisture resistance, and high reliability in industrial environments.
- Environmentally Compliant – Recyclable materials, no electroplating contamination, and RoHS/REACH compliance ensure worry-free export.
- Flexible Customization – Customizable substrates, surface treatments, and colors meet brand differentiation or specific environmental requirements.
- Wide Application – Covering home appliances, consumer electronics, industrial control, and other fields, this solution provides a one-stop solution for low- to medium-density circuit needs.
Applications of Single Sided Copper PCB Board
- Home Appliances – Washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens (simple control circuits).
- Consumer Electronics – Electronic toys, basic remote controls, LED lighting drivers.
- Industrial Control – Low-complexity sensors, motor controllers, power distribution units.
- Automotive Electronics – Car lighting systems, low-speed electric vehicle battery management.
- Power Supplies – Low-cost adapters, simple charger circuits (low-density designs).
- Medical Devices – Basic diagnostic tools, portable health monitors (non-critical circuits).
- IoT & Smart Home – Entry-level smart sensors, temperature/humidity monitors (low-data designs).
How to Design A Single Sided Copper Clad PCB?
Single sided copper clad PCB design guide:
1. Schematic Capture
- Use EDA tools (e.g., KiCad, Eagle) to draft the circuit.
- Assign footprints to components, prioritizing through-hole parts for single-sided compatibility.
2. Component Placement
- Arrange components to minimize trace crossovers.
- Place critical components (e.g., connectors, power regulators) near board edges.
- Group related components (e.g., decoupling capacitors near ICs).
3. Routing Strategy
- Route traces on the copper layer using horizontal/vertical grids to avoid overlaps.
- Use jumpers or 0Ω resistors for unavoidable crossovers.
- Maintain ≥0.3mm trace width for signals, ≥1mm for power lines.
- Avoid sharp 90° angles; use 45° bends.
4. Power/Ground Planes
- Create copper pours for GND, ensuring thermal reliefs for through-hole pads.
- Isolate analog/digital grounds if needed.
5. Design Rule Check (DRC)
- Set clearance rules (e.g., 0.2mm trace-to-pad, 1mm trace-to-board edge).
- Run DRC to fix violations (e.g., short circuits, insufficient spacing).
6. Gerber File Generation
- Top Copper Layer (.gtl)
- Solder Mask Layer (.gts)
- Silkscreen Layer (.gto)
- Board Outline (.gko)
7. Fabrication Preparation
- Print the layout on transparency film (1:1 scale) for UV exposure.
- Cut copper-clad board to size, clean with steel wool.
8. Final Inspection
- Check for broken traces, misaligned holes, or residual copper.
- Test continuity and isolation with a multimeter.
How to Make A Single Sided Copper Clad PCB Board?
Single-Sided Copper Clad PCB Production Process
1. Material Cutting
- Cut large copper-clad panels into production-sized boards, optimizing material utilization.
2. Drilling
- Machine holes for components and alignment using CNC drills. Laser drilling may be used for high-density boards.
3. Image Transfer
- Dry Film Method: Apply photosensitive dry film, expose to UV light through artwork, and develop to form etch-resistant patterns.
- Screen Printing: Directly print anti-etch ink, cured to create protective layers.
4. Etching
- Remove uncovered copper using ferric chloride or ammonia-based etchants. Precision control of etchant concentration, temperature, and spray pressure is critical to minimize undercutting.
5. Stripping & Cleaning
- Strip residual dry film/ink and rinse boards thoroughly. Dry boards to prevent oxidation.
6. Solder Mask & Marking
- Solder Resist: Print green (or colored) solder mask, UV-cured to protect non-soldering areas.
- Silkscreen: Print white legends for component identification and polarity marks.
7. Surface Finish
- Apply finishes like HASL (spray tin), ENIG (chemical nickel/gold), or OSP (organic solderability preservative) to protect pads and enhance solderability.
8. Profiling
- Shape boards via CNC routing or V-scoring for easy separation.
9. Inspection & Testing
- Electrical Testing: Fly-probe or bed-of-nails testing for conductivity and insulation.
- Visual Inspection: AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) or manual checks for defects (shorts, opens, misalignment).
10. Packaging
- Vacuum-seal boards with desiccant and include quality certificates.
Why Choose Best Technology as Copper Clad PCB Manufacturer?
Reasons why choose us as copper clad PCB manufacturer:
- Certified Compliance (ISO 9001, UL, RoHS, ISO 9001, IATF 16949 ): Mitigates regulatory risks and ensures products meet global standards for safety and environmental compliance.
- Rapid Prototyping Service: 24-hour turnaround for samples with same-day engineering review.
- Competitive Pricing Structure: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees—cost-effective for high-volume production.
- Free DFM (Design for Manufacturability) Analysis: Optimizes PCB layouts to reduce material waste, lower production costs, and avoid late-stage design revisions.
- Turnkey Solutions – Full-service PCB manufacturing from design to delivery, accelerating your product’s time-to-market.
- Strict Quality Control: 100% automated optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray testing for defect-free PCBs.
- Fast Production Lead Times: 15-day standard lead time with expedited options for urgent orders.
- Custom Material Solutions: Tailored dielectric formulations for specific thermal/electrical requirements.
- Dedicated Engineering Support: 24/7 technical team for design optimization and troubleshooting.
Our Copper Clad PCB Board Capabilities
| Base material: | Copper |
| Thermal Conductivity (dielectric layer): | 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 W/m.K. |
| Board Thickness: | 0.5mm~3.0mm(0.02″~0.12″) |
| Copper thickness: | 0.5 OZ, 1.0 OZ, 2.0 OZ, 3.0 OZ, up to 10 OZ |
| Outline: | Routing, punching, V-Cut |
| Soldermask: | White/Black/Blue/Green/Red Oil |
| Legend/Silkscreen Color: | Black/White |
| Surface finishing: | Immersion Gold, HASL, OSP |
| Max Panel size: | 600*500mm (23.62″*19.68″) |
| Packing: | Vacuum/Plastic bag |
| Samples L/T: | 4~6 Days |
| MP L/T: | 5~7 Days |
How to Get A Quote For Your Metal Core PCB Project?
Essential Submission Checklist
- Design Files: Gerber layers, drill data (Excellon), assembly drawing.
- Specs: Base material (aluminum/copper), core thickness (0.5–3.2mm), copper weight (1–4oz).
- Electrical Needs: Max current (A/mm²), impedance control (±5%), via type.
- Surface Finish: HASL, ENIG, or OSP.
- Quantity & Deadline: Prototype (1–10 pcs) or mass production (>100 pcs), standard (15 days) or expedited (7 days).
Why Choose Best Technology?
- Free DFM Review: Optimize designs for cost and manufacturability.
- Instant Pricing: Quote within one day.
- Certified Quality: IPC-A-600, UL, and RoHS compliance.
Email sales@bestpcbs.com with your specs for a fast, transparent quote. Let Best Technology’s metal core PCB expertise power your innovation!