TOOLS & REFERENCES

Engineering
Resources

Calculators, selectors, and guides to spec your FQC project before quoting.

Tool Hub

Six engineering references. Interactive tools stay on this page, PDFs open in a new tab.

6 TOOLS
01

DFM Checklist (PDF)

Complete design-for-manufacturability rules in printable format.

Download
02

Impedance Calculator

Microstrip + stripline Z₀ with ±5% FQC tolerance bands.

Open
03

Material Selector

Filter 10 laminate options by Er, loss, Tg, and use case.

Open
04

Stackup Visualizer

Build 2–32L stackups with live thickness + copper totals.

Open
05

Capability Sheet (PDF)

Single-page spec summary for quoting and DFM review.

Download
06

Glossary

20 PCB terms — HDI, ENIG, Megtron, VIPPO, and more.

Open
03

Impedance Calculator

Classic microstrip and stripline characteristic impedance. IPC-2141 simplified formulae. Production tolerance ±5%.

IPC-2141
Presets
Calculated Z₀
59.9Ω

FQC production tolerance: ±5% (vs industry ±10%). Your board would run 56.9 – 62.8 Ω.

WHGND PLANE

Rough estimate using IPC-2141 simplified formulae. Field solver required for production designs. FQC engineering team provides validated impedance stackup on request.

04

Material Selector

Ten laminate options FQC keeps qualified. Click any row for extended electrical, thermal, and moisture data.

10 MATERIALS
MaterialTypeEr @ 1GHztan δTg (°C)Key Use CasesLead Time Impact
ITEQ IT-180A
FR-4 mid-Tg4.200.0200180Standard multilayerStocked
Isola FR408HR
High-speed FR-43.700.0090180Signal integrity, 10+ GbpsStocked
Panasonic Megtron 6 (R-5775)
Low-loss3.700.004018528 Gbps SerDes, server backplane+1 week
Panasonic Megtron 7 (R-5785)
Ultra-low-loss3.500.003020056 Gbps / 112 Gbps PAM4+2 weeks
Panasonic Megtron 8
Next-gen LL3.300.0020200224 Gbps AI-server backplane+3 weeks
Rogers RO4350B
Hydrocarbon ceramic3.660.0037280RF / microwave < 40 GHz+2 weeks
Rogers RO3003
PTFE3.000.0013280Automotive radar 77 GHz+3 weeks
Taconic RF-35
PTFE / ceramic3.500.0018280mmWave, 5G+3 weeks
TUC TU-863
Low-loss FR-43.900.0085180Server backplaneStocked
Polyimide (DuPont Kapton)
Flex3.400.0026400Rigid-flex, aerospace+2 weeks
05

Stackup Visualizer

Build a representative multilayer construction. Choose layer count, outer copper weight, target thickness, and dielectric material.

2–32 LAYERS
Total thickness1.60 mm
Total copper5.0 oz
Construction8L · 1/0.5 oz
Soldermask25 μm
L1 · SIGNAL (top)35 μm
Core (FR4)197 μm
L2 · GND17 μm
Prepreg (FR4)197 μm
L3 · SIGNAL17 μm
Core (FR4)197 μm
L4 · PWR17 μm
Prepreg (FR4)197 μm
L5 · SIGNAL17 μm
Core (FR4)197 μm
L6 · GND17 μm
Prepreg (FR4)197 μm
L7 · SIGNAL17 μm
Core (FR4)197 μm
L8 · SIGNAL (bottom)35 μm
Soldermask25 μm

Representative stackup. FQC engineering team finalizes with actual material datasheets and manufacturing constraints.

06

DFM Guidelines

Thirty-two rules across eight categories. Follow these to reduce re-spins and hit first-pass yield.

32 RULES

Clearances & Spacing

  • 01Trace-to-trace: 2 mil (50 μm) min
  • 02Trace-to-pad: 3 mil min
  • 03Copper-to-edge: 8 mil min
  • 04BGA escape: 3.5 mil/4 mil preferred

Vias & Drills

  • 01Min mechanical drill: 6 mil (0.15 mm)
  • 02Min laser via: 3 mil (75 μm)
  • 03Aspect ratio: up to 20:1
  • 04Stacked / staggered microvias supported

Copper Features

  • 01Min trace width: 2 mil (50 μm)
  • 02Min annular ring: 2 mil
  • 03Teardrop recommended on all pads
  • 04Heavy copper to 15 oz (UL-listed)

Surface Finish

  • 01ENIG for fine-pitch BGA
  • 02OSP for cost-sensitive
  • 03HASL / LF-HASL for legacy
  • 04ENEPIG for wire bond

Silkscreen & Legend

  • 01Min text height: 1.0 mm
  • 02Min line width: 0.15 mm
  • 03Avoid over solder pads
  • 04Inkjet legend (no screen mask needed)

Panelization

  • 01Min gap between boards: 2.0 mm
  • 02V-cut or tab-rout (mouse bite)
  • 03Fiducial marks required (3 min)
  • 04Tooling holes: 3.175 mm standard

Impedance Control

  • 01FQC tolerance: ±5% (industry ±10%)
  • 02Specify reference plane in fab notes
  • 03Full stackup required at quote
  • 04Differential pair coupling documented

Documentation

  • 01Gerber X2 preferred; ODB++ accepted
  • 02Separate drill file (Excellon)
  • 03BOM with approved alternates
  • 04Assembly drawings for SMT/THT
07

Glossary

Twenty terms you'll see in PCB datasheets, quote discussions, and DFM feedback.

20 TERMS

Ready to spec your board with our engineers?

Request a quote or schedule a DFM review with the FQC engineering team.

All calculations trace to IPC-2141 / IPC-2152 / IPC-A-600.