A PCB thickness measurement is among the most important measurements in electronic manufacturing. Most PCBs are 1.6mm thick (0.063 in). That's the default thickness for everything from computer motherboards to appliances. This thickness offers a good balance between strength and flexibility without costing too much. Engineers know it gives enough mechanical strength without making things too bulky.
PCB Layer Stack-up and Its Relationship to Thickness
The thickness of a PCB correlates to its layer count and stack-up design. This is noticeable in circuit board design.Basic 2-layer PCBs have a thickness of 1.0mm to 1.6mm. The stack-up is awesome: the core material is FR-4, with two copper layers that are soldered together, and the silkscreen is on the outside.
PCB Manufacturing Considerations for Thickness
It's a challenge when making PCBs of different thicknesses. For thin boards (under 0.8mm), warping during production is an issue. Make sure your account for the manufacturing limits in your design.
PCB thickness is also influenced by the size of the panel. Most makers use standard panel sizes like 18"x24" and 18"x21", so thickness must stay consistent.
The basics are that thinner boards cost more to make because they're more complex and more likely to fail. Don't freak out about this cost increase-it usually balances out with the benefits of smaller size and lighter weight.
