JHD PCB

JHD PCB Founded in 2009, JHDPCB has more than 10 years of experience manufacturing full range of PCBs

Mark your calendars! 📅JHDPCB will be at Guangzhou Lighting Exhibition(GILE) from Jun 9 to 12.Our booth: 3.2E18. Looking ...
28/05/2026

Mark your calendars! 📅
JHDPCB will be at Guangzhou Lighting Exhibition(GILE) from Jun 9 to 12.
Our booth: 3.2E18.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

25/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas ✨🎄

As the festive season arrives, we would like to extend our warmest Christmas wishes to our customers, partners, and friends around the world. Thank you for your trust and support throughout the year—it has been our pleasure to provide reliable, high-quality PCB solutions for your projects.

May this Christmas bring you joy, peace, and success, and may the coming year be filled with new opportunities and great achievements. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and growing together in the year ahead.

Warm regards,
JHDPCB Team 🎅🎁

📢 We’re live at Eletrolar Show – Lighting 2025!JHDPCB is now exhibiting in São Paulo, Brazil from June 23–26 at Booth N4...
24/06/2025

📢 We’re live at Eletrolar Show – Lighting 2025!
JHDPCB is now exhibiting in São Paulo, Brazil from June 23–26 at Booth N40!
Come visit us to explore our wide range of high-quality PCBs — including LED modules, MCPCBs, flexible and multilayer PCBs.
Let’s talk about how JHDPCB can support your next project!

📍 Booth N40 | Eletrolar Show – Lighting | São Paulo
🔗 https://jhdpcb.com

Gold fingers can accumulate dirt, oils, oxidation, and other contaminants, which can degrade performance. In this guide,...
05/12/2024

Gold fingers can accumulate dirt, oils, oxidation, and other contaminants, which can degrade performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to properly clean gold finger PCBs and ensure optimal performance.

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Contamination can lead to a range of issues, including：

Increased Contact Resistance: Dirt and grime can increase electrical resistance, leading to intermittent connections or complete failure.
Signal Integrity Degradation: Dirty contacts may impair the transmission of signals, which can result in data errors.
Wear and Tear: Inserting dirty gold fingers into slots or connectors accelerates wear, which shortens the lifespan of both the PCB and the mating connector.

Let’s explore how to clean it effectively.

Step 1: Visual Inspection:

Before beginning the cleaning process, conduct a visual inspection of the gold fingers to evaluate their state. Here’s what to check for:

Discoloration: This may indicate oxidation or the presence of contaminants.
Scratches or Abrasions: Any physical damage that could impair the function of the connectors.
Accumulated Debris: Dust, oil, or any visible grime should be noted before cleaning.

Use a magnifying glass or microscope for a detailed inspection, especially if the board has been in heavy use. Focus on the chamfered edges of the fingers, as these regions typically endure the most wear.

Step 2: Removing Surface Contaminants
Once the inspection is complete, it’s time to remove surface contaminants such as oils, dust, and particulate matter. For this, follow these steps:

Use High-Purity Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA): The preferred cleaning solvent for gold finger PCBs is 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. Avoid lower concentrations, as they contain water and could leave residue behind. Dampen a lint-free swab or cloth with IPA.

Gently Wipe the Gold Fingers: Lightly rub the swab along the length of each gold finger. Move in one direction, rather than scrubbing back and forth, to avoid friction that could damage the plating. Use a soft touch to prevent any scratches on the gold surface

Repeat if Necessary: For heavily contaminated areas, you may need to do multiple passes with fresh IPA and clean swabs.
Blow Away Loose Particles: After wiping, utilize compressed air or an air duster to eliminate any leftover dust or fibers. This step guarantees that the surface is entirely clean and devoid of debris.

We will talk remaining steps of cleaning few days later.

Today we will continue to talk about the difference between gold fingers and edge connectors. finger pcb gold finger c...
27/11/2024

Today we will continue to talk about the difference between gold fingers and edge connectors.

finger pcb gold finger connector gold finger plating process gold finger plating process bonding finger pcb gold finger gold finger design gold finger plating gold finger pcb finger connectors pcb finger pcb gold finger damage gold finger plating thickness gold finger beveling finger beveling

3. Design and Construction:
Gold Fingers: Gold fingers are formed as metal contacts along the edge of a PCB. They are coated with a thin layer of hard gold (typically mixed with cobalt) to enhance conductivity and withstand wear from frequent use. The gold plating process requires precise milling of the edges, ensuring that the beveling is done correctly (typically at angles between 30 and 45 degrees) for smooth insertion into corresponding slots.
Edge Connectors: In contrast, edge connectors are more akin to sockets or receptacles. These connectors are often enclosed in a thermoplastic casing, with one side open to allow the connection of pins or contact points. Inside the edge connector, rows of metallic contacts are used to interface with a compatible component.

4. Durability and Conductivity:
Gold Fingers: The use of gold plating in the manufacturing of gold fingers significantly enhances their conductivity and resistance to wear. Gold, being an excellent conductor, ensures low electrical resistance and stable data transmission over time. Moreover, the hardness provided by the cobalt alloy enhances the physical durability of the contact points, minimizing PCB gold finger damage and allowing for frequent use without wear.
Edge Connectors: While edge connectors are not typically plated with gold, they still provide reliable electrical connections. The materials used in edge connectors which are sufficient for permanent or semi-permanent connections where frequent disconnection is not a concern. However, since they lack the wear resistance and conductivity of gold-plated contacts, edge connectors are less suited to environments where high durability and repeated connections are needed.

5. Cost and Manufacturing Complexity:
Gold Fingers: Due to the use of gold plating, gold fingers are more expensive to manufacture. Additionally, the precise milling required to bevel the edges of the gold fingers adds complexity and labor to the manufacturing process. However, the higher cost is justified by the superior conductivity, durability, and performance in applications that demand frequent and reliable connections.
Edge Connectors: In contrast, edge connectors are relatively inexpensive to produce. Since they do not require gold plating or complex manufacturing steps like beveling, they are typically fabricated from plastic and metal components and cheaper to make.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for manufacturers when deciding which type of connector to use in their PCB designs.

In the world of printed circuit boards (PCBs), both gold fingers and edge connectors play vital roles in ensuring effect...
14/11/2024

In the world of printed circuit boards (PCBs), both gold fingers and edge connectors play vital roles in ensuring effective communication between different components or external devices. Despite their similarities in functionality, these two elements are distinct in several ways.

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1. Functionality and Usage
One of the most significant differences between gold fingers and edge connectors lies in their usage.

Gold Fingers: These are primarily designed to connect a PCB to peripheral devices or other circuit boards, enabling communication or data transfer. Gold fingers create an interface that allows for frequent insertion and removal, making them ideal for components like USB devices, expansion cards (such as PCIe, PCI, or AGP cards), or storage cards like SD cards. This flexibility in plugging and unplugging makes gold fingers a preferred choice when repeatable, reliable connections are needed without significant wear and tear on the board or device.

Edge Connectors: On the other hand, edge connectors are fixed slots or sockets used for more permanent connections. They are typically used to interface expansion cards or modules directly with the motherboard in computers, as seen in PCIe slots. Unlike gold fingers, edge connectors are generally not meant for frequent plugging and unplugging once installed, and their primary purpose is to establish a stable, long-term connection between the PCB and the rest of the system.

2. Placement on the PCB
Another key distinction between gold fingers and edge connectors is their placement on the circuit board.

Gold Fingers: As the name implies, gold fingers are positioned along the edge of the PCB. This positioning allows them to slide directly into a slot or connector, creating a seamless interface with external devices or peripheral components. Their specific placement on the edge is critical for enabling the smooth insertion and removal of connected components.

Edge Connectors: Unlike gold fingers, edge connectors do not have a predefined location and can be placed anywhere on the PCB as needed. Their location is typically determined by the overall design and layout of the board. Edge connectors are designed as permanent fixtures that stay in place, unlike the more flexible nature of gold fingers.

We’ll discuss the other differences next time!

Beveling is the final stage in the gold finger plating process, occurring after the solder mask is applied. This procedu...
07/11/2024

Beveling is the final stage in the gold finger plating process, occurring after the solder mask is applied. This procedure is fully automated, utilizing specialized beveling machines to guarantee accuracy and uniformity. Here's how the PCB gold finger plating process works:

finger pcb gold finger connector gold finger plating process gold finger plating process gold finger repair bonding finger pcb gold finger gold finger bevel gold finger design gold finger plating gold finger pcb finger connectors pcb finger pcb gold finger corrosion gold finger damage gold finger plating thickness gold finger beveling finger beveling

1.Nickel Plating: The connector edges of the PCB are initially plated with a layer of nickel, typically between 2 to 6 microns thick. Nickel serves as the base layer for the subsequent gold plating, ensuring a solid foundation for durability and electrical conductivity.

2.Gold Plating: A hard gold layer, between 1 to 2 microns thick, is applied over the nickel. Manufacturers often alloy the gold with cobalt to improve surface resistance, which enhances the PCB's ability to withstand frequent insertions and removals without wear or degradation.

3.Beveling: After the plating process is completed, the edges of the gold fingers are beveled. The beveling angle typically ranges from 30° to 45°, depending on the port, the size of the circuit board, or specific client requirements. This tapering ensures easy insertion into the connector slot while reducing mechanical stress on both the PCB and the slot during use.

4.Surface Finish Application: Once the beveling is finished, the next step involves applying the surface finish, ensuring a smooth, durable layer that further protects the gold fingers and improves the overall performance and longevity of the PCB in its final application.

The Importance of Angle Precision:

15° - 25° High insertion/extraction force, increased contact stability Increases contact area and friction, improving signal transmission stability Devices with frequent insertion/removal (e.g., connectors in telecom devices). They are ideal for applications needing higher contact stability.

25° - 35° Balanced insertion/extraction requirements, moderate spatial constraints Provides a good balance between contact area and ease of insertion General-purpose electronics and industrial applications. They are better suited for devices with tight spatial constraints, where ease of assembly is critical.

35° - 45° Strict spatial constraints, compact designs Easier integration in tight spaces, slightly reduced contact area Miniaturized devices (e.g., smartphones, compact IoT devices)

When designing the layout for PCBs with beveled edges, it’s essential to account for factors like the length, width, and position of the gold fingers. The bevel angle and depth must align perfectly with the length of the fingers.

Gold finger beveling is an essential process in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that involves creatin...
01/11/2024

Gold finger beveling is an essential process in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that involves creating a sloped edge at the PCB gold finger connector to ensure smooth insertion into corresponding slots. Let‘s know more about it.

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Purpose of PCB Gold Finger Beveling:
The primary purpose of beveling the gold fingers is to facilitate easier and more precise insertion into the receiving slot of a connector, reducing wear and tear on both the PCB and the slot. Without beveling, the sharp edges would create resistance during insertion, increasing the likelihood of damaging the PCB or the slot over time.
Sometimes referred to as "beveled golden fingers," these features are designed with slanted, rectangular shapes to further reduce mechanical stress during insertion and removal. The angled design allows for a gradual, smooth entry or exit from the socket, minimizing mechanical stress that could otherwise damage both the PCB and the slot. This gradual insertion mechanism is especially beneficial in prolonging the life of both components through repeated use.

Benefits Beyond Mechanical Performance:
In addition to reducing physical stress, beveled gold fingers also offer significant improvements in optical and electrical performance. By providing a more stable and secure connection, the beveled edges enhance electrical contact between the gold fingers and the connector pins. This, in turn, improves signal transmission reliability, ensuring that electronic products function more consistently and without disruption. The sloped edges help align the gold fingers with the connector slot, ensuring that the connection is precise and stable, leading to improved overall performance.
Furthermore, the beveled edges make insertion easier and more fluid, requiring less force to properly connect the PCB to its respective slot, which in turn enhances the overall durability and lifespan of the electronic connectors.

Manufacturing Challenges and Costs:
Designing beveled gold fingers is not without challenges. Achieving high precision during the manufacturing process requires advanced equipment and expertise. As a result, the processing cost is often higher than that of standard gold fingers. Manufacturers need to balance performance requirements with production feasibility and cost-effectiveness, especially when dealing with high-volume production runs.

What about process of Gold Finger Beveling? We will talk it next time.

Today, lets continue with the remaining steps of making the gold finger PCB. finger pcb gold finger connector gold fi...
24/10/2024

Today, lets continue with the remaining steps of making the gold finger PCB.

finger pcb gold finger connector gold finger plating process gold finger plating process gold finger repair bonding finger pcb gold finger gold finger bevel gold finger design gold finger plating gold finger pcb finger connectors pcb finger pcb gold finger corrosion gold finger damage gold finger plating thickness gold finger beveling finger beveling

Step 4: Electroplate Gold onto Nickel-Plated Pads
With the nickel layer in place, the next step is to electroplate the gold onto the nickel surface. This is where the PCB gets its "Gold Fingers" name. Hard gold is typically used due to its strength, wear resistance, and ability to withstand frequent insertions and removals in slots. Electroplating gold requires precise control of both the current and time to ensure the correct thickness (usually around 30μ”) of gold is deposited onto the nickel. Gold is selected due to its superior electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion, particularly important in preventing PCB gold finger corrosion, making it perfect for durable and high-performance electrical connections. During this process, the leftover gold that does not adhere to the PCB is carefully collected and recycled to minimize waste, given that gold is a valuable material. After the electroplating process is finished, the gold-plated fingers are rinsed with water and deionized water to ensure the surface is clean and free of any impurities that might impact performance.

Step 5: Remove the Blue Glue
After the gold plating is complete, the protective blue glue that was applied in the first step is removed. This exposes the rest of the PCB, leaving the newly gold-plated fingers intact and ready for further processing. The board is now ready to proceed to the next phase of production, which typically involves solder mask printing.
Step 6: Quality Inspection and Adhesion Testing
The final step in making Gold Finger PCBs is a rigorous inspection process. Each PCB must undergo thorough quality control checks to ensure that the gold fingers meet the required standards for smoothness, pcb gold finger plating thickness, and adherence.
The inspection often includes visual checks under magnification to identify any surface defects, followed by adhesion tests to ensure that the gold plating is securely bonded to the underlying layers. If the plating lacks proper smoothness or fails the adhesion tests, the PCB cannot proceed to commercial release.

The whole process, while seemingly straightforward, requires precision at every stage to ensure that the gold fingers will function reliably, especially in environments where the PCB will undergo frequent insertion and removal. Only highly specialized PCB manufacturers with advanced equipment and expertise can perform the Gold Finger plating process to this level of detail and accuracy.

Gold fingers are the gold-plated connectors located along the edges of a printed circuit board (PCB), designed to facili...
17/10/2024

Gold fingers are the gold-plated connectors located along the edges of a printed circuit board (PCB), designed to facilitate the connection between a secondary PCB and the motherboard of a device, such as a computer. It serve as a bridge, allowing signals to pass seamlessly between circuit boards, enabling commands to be processed swiftly and accurately across devices. Today lets talk about how to make Gold Finger PCB?

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Step 1: Apply Blue Glue
The first step involves selectively covering the PCB surface, except for the areas where the gold fingers will be plated. Blue glue (a protective mask) is applied to shield the remaining portions of the board from the subsequent plating processes. This ensures that only the gold finger pads are exposed for treatment, while the conductive positioning is aligned with the direction of the PCB to ensure precision.

Step 2: Remove the Oxidation Layer on Copper Pads
The copper pads, which will eventually become gold fingers, need to be free of oxidation to ensure strong adhesion during the plating process. To achieve this, the oxidation layer on the copper pads is removed using a sulfuric acid solution. After the acid treatment, the copper surface is thoroughly rinsed with water and then deionized water to ensure complete cleanliness. Following the rinse, a mechanical grinding process is applied to the surface of the copper pads to further enhance the removal of oxidation and improve the surface quality for plating. Another round of water and deionized water rinsing ensures that the copper is in its purest form, ready for the electroplating steps.

Step 3: Electroplate Nickel onto Copper Pads
Once the copper pads are clean and prepared, the electroplating of a nickel layer begins. Nickel serves as the intermediary layer between the copper and the gold. Its purpose is to provide a durable, corrosion-resistant foundation for the gold, as well as improve the wear resistance of the gold fingers. Electroplating nickel requires carefully controlling the electric current, which deposits a uniform layer of nickel onto the copper surface. Once the nickel is electroplated, the pads are again cleaned using water and deionized water to ensure no residue remains from the electroplating process.

We can't wait to tell you all about the remaining steps in the next article, so stay tuned!

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Shenzhen
518104

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+8675527539533

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