Why Flexible PCBs are expensive than other PCB types?

Hello friends, I hope you all are in good health. Today we will discuss a detailed overview of flexible PCB, its definition, types, advantages and manufacturing. We will also discuss why we need flexible PCB? We will discuss its uses and the reason for its high price, as it's expensive than other PCB types. I will try to deliver you my best knowledge about flexible PCB so you will clear understanding of flexible PCB. So let’s try to absorb everything about flexible PCB.

Flexible PCB overview

  • For irregular-shaped locations, it was difficult to place hard substrate PCBs. So, as necessity is the mother of invention similarly difficult locations and irregular surfaces are the mother of flexible PCB invention.
  • Before the 1950s flexible PCBs are not in common use but now they are used everywhere like in ATM keypads and smartwatches. Now let us have a look at the proper definition of FPCB.

Flexible PCB definition

  • The board that is made up of flexible plastic substrate usually polyester, polyimide or thin sheets of glass are called flexible printed circuit boards or FPCBs.
  • FPCBs have the ability to change their shape because they can twist and bend easily. In some devices, both rigid and flexible PCBs are incorporated to produce the desired functionality.
  • FPCB should not be so flexible that the board breaks down during folding or twisting.

Flexible PCB Pricing

Let's discuss the pricing of Flexible PCB and here I am going to take the example of an online PCB Fabrication House named PCBWay. It's a well-renowned PCB house and provides competitive rates with a quality product.

  • If you open the PCB Calculator of PCBWay and select Rigid-Flex PCB at the top, you will get a similar result:
  • Now, here I am going to select Flexible PCB and I am going to place an order of 10 PCBs, each of size 10x10mm.
  • In order to get the quote, we need to click on the Calculate Button and here's the price:
  • Now you can see the price for 10 pcs is $125 and it's quite expensive as compared to normal rigid PCB.
  • PCBWay provides the best rates for PCB manufacturing and if you check on any other site, you will get even higher rates.

Types of FPCB

  • FPCB has a few common types listed below:
    1. Single-sided FPCB
    2. Double-sided FPCB
    3. Multi-layer FFPCB
    4. Rigid-flex PCB( RFPCB)
    5. High Density interconnects FPCB.

Single-sided FPCB

  • It contains a conductive layer of copper on only one side of the PCB.
  • They are used in applications that need highly flexible circuits.

Double-sided FPCB:

  • It contains a copper layer on both sides of the PCB. The layers are made connected by vias or by plate through holes( PTH).
  • Double-sided FPCB is popular for its ease of manufacturing.

Multilayer FPCB:

  • In the multi-layer FPCBs, multi-layer PCBs are connected by vias or PTH.
  • It may contain more than 10 conductive layers of copper.
  • They are used in designs that require PCBs with high-density connectors.
  • Using more layers in flexible PCB design adds to the cost of FPCB.

Rigid-flex printed circuit board:

  • In RFPCB, flexible layers are integrated with the rigid layers and PTH technology is used to assemble circuit boards.
  • Small Interconnect areas are created by using both rigid and flexible layers so the chances of failure of PCB are reduced in an application.

High-Density flexible FPCB:

  • HDI are flexible circuit boards having microvias and precise features.
  • They are used to provide more technical solutions interesting of layout, design and construction.
  • HDI are known for their improved usage of ICs, greater reliability and high electrical performance.

Materials used in FPCB

  • We use flexible materials for both substrate and adhesive.
  • The substrate is basically made up of polyimide(PI) film. The PI film does not soften on heating but remains flexible.
  • Normally used PI film does not show the best resistance against humidity and tears but upgraded PI can overcome this problem.
  • To attach layers adhesives are used. This adhesive should also be flexible but it is difficult to attain so now PI without adhesives are used that attach copper layers without any adhesive.
  • Now coverlay film created with PI is used instead of solder mask. To make areas hard staffers are used instead of solder masks.

Manufacturing Process of FPCB

The manufacturing process for FPCB is procedural and structural. that's the main reason for its high cost. The manufacturing process of Flexible PCB is too lengthy, complex and needs a special environment, which makes it too expensive to design. Let us try to understand three major steps involved in the manufacturing of FPCB.

Step 1: Build up flexible PCB

The material used as a substrate is polyimide and in this step, the main focus is to save the base material because it is expensive than FR- 4. So to avoid wastage of polyimide circuits are placed close to each other. It includes the following steps:

  • CAD designing: first of all design is prepared using CAD software.
  • Drilling: holes are drilled and the size of holes is tried to make small.
  • Looping: adding a slight amount of extra material for servicing circuit assembly.
  • Sizing conductor: use the thinnest amount of copper.
  • Etching: To compensate losses especially line width losses etching is done.
  • Routing: the conductor is held perpendicular to the bend and fold. Folding and bending are improved by reducing stress and by helping the conductor perpendicular stress is reduced.
  • Ground planes: creating ground areas will improve the flexibility of the circuit by reducing the weight of the circuit board.

Step 2: FPCB fabrication process:

Depending on the design and application the diameter of the hole in FPCB may vary.
  • Size of the hole: small holes are best for flexible PCBs. Small size holes are difficult to drill. So the no of holes and size of holes determines as the cost control factors.
  • Filleting: filleting is necessary for joining pads and land termination points. By filleting area is multiplied and stress is reduced so flexibility improves.
  • PTH: Nowadays, copper is used for preparing vias and plated through holes.

Step 3: focus on physical constraints/ testing:

  • Layers and coating problems are dealt with in this step. So the testing of these cover layers is necessary.
  • Adhesive-backed films: these films are used for overcoating or at the areas where the adhesive is missing.
  • Screen printable liquid overcoats: these are used with polymer films that are thick.
  • Photo imaginable liquid and film polymer: It is the modern method used for overcoating because it avoids circuiting traces by acting as a solder mask. It avoids external and internal damages to the board.
  • Overlay: After testing, FPCBs are laminated which is called an overlay. For best quality overlay, the budget of flexible PCB increases.
  • Packing: FPCBs are packed and delivery is made.

Advantages or benefits of flexible PCB

  1. It can be twisted, bent, folded, and shaped in various dimensions, unlike rigid PCB.
  2. It overcomes other technologies like wire harnesses, rigid PCBs, and connectors.
  3. It can be arranged in various stacked configurations.
  4. Very easy to install.
  5. For high flexible applications, single-sided FPCBs are used. As the spaces are generated to make them flexible so they are light in weight and small in size.
  6. FPCBs are more durable than PCBs and rigid PCBs.
  7. Using FPCBs the capability of the product is enhanced.

Disadvantages or drawbacks of FPCBs

  1. Their cost is high than other PCBs because of the poor utilization of panels.
  2. They can be damaged easily because of their flexibility and poor handling.
  3. A complex assembly process is used in their manufacturing.
  4. In case of any fault or problem, they can not be repaired easily. High-quality machinery is required to repair them and the repairing price is also very high.
  5. For the manufacturing of FPCB highly professional designers with a lot of time are required.

FPCB Market Costs

  • The market for the flexible printed circuit board is raising day by day.
  • It was $ 200 million in the past and crossed $800 million till 2020.
  • High demand is expected in the future.

Applications of flexible printed circuit boards

  • FPCBs have diverse applications almost in every industry. They are designed in such a way to meet all the requirements of any kind of flexibility.
  • Flexible printed circuit boards are used in both static and dynamic applications based on the requirement.
  • Material use varies in static and dynamic applications. So before the manufacturing, their type and requirement should be confirmed.

Static application:

  • These applications are also known as flex-to-fit or flex-to-install applications.
  • Only a small amount of flexibility is produced in boards for these applications.
  • Inexpensive electrodeposited (ED) copper is used to make minimal flexible boards for static applications.

Dynamic applications:

  • For dynamic applications, the flexibility of built-in boards is set as high as possible.
  • Rolled Annealed (RA) copper is used for making highly flexible printed circuit boards for dynamic industrial applications.

Diverse FPCB industrial applications:

  • The applications of flexible printed circuit boards in different industries are listed below
  • Electronics: flexible PCBs are used in laptops, cameras, calculators, printer heads, flip cell phones, computers keyboards...etc. Moving the print head of printers and plotters uses flexible PCBs to draw prints. Now flexible solar cells are made which can bend easily. Flexible wristwatches are also becoming popular in young generations.
  • Manufacturing: flexible PCBs are also used in robotic arms, sensors equipment, processing machines, bar code equipment, and human-machine interface equipment In the manufacturing industry.
  • Automotive: in the automotive industry, flexible printed circuit boards are used in airbag systems, anti-lock brakes, Global positioning systems( GPS), in engine controls.
  • Medical: in the medical industry, flexible printed circuit boards are used 8n pacemakers, hearing aid devices, heart monitoring devices, and exercise monitors.
  • Miscellaneous: flexible PCBs are also used in resistors, satellites, capacitors, Tower lights, LCD fabrication, light and motion systems.

Development prospects of flexible PCBs

Flexible printed circuit boards should have to be improved in the following aspects:

  • Thickness:

In the future flexible printed circuit board should be thinner and more flexible. They should have the flexibility of complete 360°.

  • Folding resistance

Improved and developed substrates should be used to overcome the folding resistance.

  • Price

At this time flexible printed circuit boards are too much costly. In the future, their price should be reduced to increase their market growth rate.

  • Process level

It is very difficult to make flexible PCBs because they required highly qualified personals, high machinery, and a lot of time. In the future, their process level should be upgraded and minimum line width and minimum aperture must meet higher requirements.

Parameters on which the cost of FPCB depends

Many factors affect the cost of the flexible printed circuit board. But I am here to categorize these parameters into these cost drivers.

  • Physical size:

The size of the flexible PCB is measured in a square inch and the price is calculated as price/ square inch.

So for large flexible printed circuit boards having the vast size, the price will be high than the smaller one.

  • Circuit construction:

When the no of layers increases the price of flexible PCB increases. So double-layer FPCB has high price than the single-layer FPCB and multi-layer FPCB must be high in price than single and double layer FPCB. Price also depends upon the material used in the construction. Price also depends upon the no of pads, for more pads used in flexible PCB price will be high.

  • Volume:

Price also depends upon the volume of flexible PCB. For greater volume price will be high.

  • Finishing

Finishing determines the shelf life of the flexible printed circuit board. With good quality, the finishing price is affected.

  • No. Of the holes and size of the holes

It is difficult to make small holes, and for small holes, which are normally drilled in the flexible printed circuit boards, the price will be high than the big holes.

For more holes price will also be high.

  • Custom or unique specification

When the custom specification is required that will add to the price of the flexible printed circuit board. Examples of custom specifications are contoured edges, side plating, and solder mask clearance.

Conclusion

In the future, flexible printed circuit boards will play a major role in security and entertainment dynamics.

The demand for flexible printed circuit boards is not high till 2016 but now their demand is increasing day by day. In future preference will be given to the flexible products in the market.

In short, the future belongs to flexible products.

How has Technology Transformed the Healthcare Sector?

The evolution of technology over the decades has helped almost all sectors to grow and flourish. And, the medical sector is no different. The way medicine was practiced a couple of decades ago has been completely changed today. This has obviously brought in multiple benefits to the patients. The treatment time has lowered and so has the accuracy increased. People now trust technology to get their treatments done.

This article highlights certain technologies that have transformed modern medicine.

Electronic health records

This is the prime example of how technology has transformed the way of conducting treatments and keeping records. The paper filing system of patients is now long gone. It is now replaced with electronic record-keeping. This has made collaboration easier and smoother and facilities can focus better on patient care now. The entire medical history of patients is available in just a click and doctors can make better and detailed decisions about their treatment plan.

Personalized treatment

This is yet another great way by which technology is driving healthcare. With the evolution of wearable technology, patient engagement has increased more than ever. And, more healthcare facilities are trying to connect with their patients through these hyper-targeted and extremely personalized health and fitness plans. The data that is driving the results is extremely accurate and the recommendations are loved by the patients. The technology tries to understand every individual motivation and design solutions that reflect well with their lifestyles and that are manageable on both ends.

Telehealth

Virtual healthcare or telehealth was there initially also but it gained popularity pretty recently after the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It has increased the communication efficiency between the clinics, healthcare providers, and the patients who are seeking help. The information exchange has become simpler and one can easily track and monitor the changes that are visible after every telehealth interaction. The data is optimized and your treatment is curated across a stable plan of action.

Surgical technology

Surgeries are equally benefited through this progressive technology. It is now possible to draw virtual 3D reconstructions before any major surgery on trauma patients. It helps the surgeons to make the most accurate incisions on the skin and have bony reconstruction with plates. This is a great way to plan the surgeries and monitor the flow of blood in those regions. We are hopeful the future will see more advanced improvements in this field to help the surgeons.

AI and augmented reality

When both of these are combined, many new opportunities arise. There are handheld devices that use both of these technologies to make veins in a patient's body visible. They also help the doctors to sense heat by just using a single device. The combination of both these technologies improves the activities like drawing blood or IV insertions.

Besides these, there are many other innovations in health care devices that have streamlined the treatments to a great extent while helping the industry move forward. The patients can now confidently rely on the system for their treatments.

How Energy Monitoring System Helps In Managing and Functioning Of Business

If you want to monitor the utility usage in real-time and if you want to optimize the business utilities, you should make use of the energy monitoring system. It is the software that monitors the utility consumption online like the energy, fluids, gas, and so on. This system helps to calculate the consumption per area like the departments and production lines. It also helps in calculating the consumption per the production like the orders and the items that further helps in calculating the real production cost. With the help of the best type of energy monitoring tool, you can forecast the energy usage in several sectors and then create the alarm if it finds that the site has reached the contractual capacity.

The energy management system will further help detect the failures in the process, leaks or anomalies, and provide information on how much the utilities are used during the non-production time. After assessing the data offered by this tool, you can decide to depend upon the real data and then collate the production data with the utility usage. You can get the best energy monitoring software online, one of the best places to get tools for energy management and monitoring for businesses.

Benefits of using the Energy Monitoring System

There Are Various Benefits Of Using This Tool, And They Are-

  • Lower the utility usage
  • Detecting the utility waste
  • Précising the forecast on the utility usage
  • CO2 footprint awareness
  • Reduce the downtime
  • Improve the OEE of the functioning
  • Make decisions depending upon the real-time data from the machines

Features Of Energy Monitoring System

As said before, Energy checking frameworks give clients information about their utilization designs so they can settle on informed energy the board choices and expand investment funds. It is completed utilizing energy observing programming that accumulates energy utilization information, dissects it. Afterward, gives valuable data straightforwardly to the customer's gadget.

The product utilizes counters or sub-counters situated nearby or in the structure to accumulate information for every item (power, heat, water, gas) to give a total image of energy utilization. Because of these energy observing methods, clients can monitor the amount they are devouring. They can also monitor how the item is utilized at some random season of day or night.

Keeping all the utilities under control

EMS framework focuses on unlimited authority over the Utilization and cost of utilities in the processing plant. Counters cautions and controlling dashboards give the client the likelihood of dealing with the utilities. They are also expected in all pieces of the processing plant – from the creation floor to workplaces. Relationship with creation information takes into consideration full examination and straightforwardness of the actual production costs. Dynamic checking upholds the identification of holes and misuse of utilities that can be not entirely obvious and fixed.

Determining the Utilization per area

It helps to analyze all utilities in the current location with detailed information on planned and actual usage. It also helps in displaying trends and forecasts.

Compare the utilities and consumers

Information on utility utilization can get a connection with creation information, showing a precise image of complete creation and non-creation costs.

Make use of Power Guard

It is a tool for controlling the total amount of electrical power used to avoid the expensive penalties for breaching or crossing the limits. With the help of tracking the system, it issues warnings on the incoming faults with the proper advance.

Choose the EMS or the energy monitoring system, an advanced solution for monitoring energy consumption. In addition, it allows for the implementation of additional software like the contracted capacity guard. Choose EMS for the higher energy management at the workplace.

Selecting a Prototyping Firm: Factors to Contemplate

Choosing a prototyping firm to manufacture your things is a crucial decision. Identifying the right match is a difficult task for any firm. Cost, effectiveness, dependability, and operational processes must all be considered before assigning any production assets.

Dealing with a prototyping firm should be straightforward once you learn what to look for. The following are important considerations to consider while looking for a producer to help you bring your prototype idea to life.

Familiarity with the Business

You can look through the portfolios of the best prototyping businesses to see their previous work. This data is crucial in determining whether they have experience with similar initiatives and specialize in your required prototypes.

You'll need a corporation with experience in your sector throughout this early stage of product development. They are more knowledgeable about the resources to utilize, the equipment that can be employed to make the finished output, and they are conversant in industry jargon.

Working with organizations that specialize in modeling will make the production process much smoother.

The Available Services

You might need a simple 3D printing concept part right now, but you could require a perfectly functioning prototype for a trade show or business meeting tomorrow. It's vital to know whether your prototyping partner can handle many tasks.

Enquire about the many sorts of 3D printing services offered and just about every other service that may be accessible. Determine what kind of finishing services they provide, such as smoothing, polishing, and laser engraving.

A reputable specialist will have both current and 'traditional' talents, such as SLA and Vacuum Casting solutions, and other 3D printing services and a CNC suite if you select them.

Full-cycle prototyping competences

If you're working with complex or advanced prototypes that involve several production processes such as CNC machining and plastic injection molding, a prototyping company should ideally have all of the design development they'll use to manufacture your prototypes under one roof.

Why? You don't have to squander weeks or months working with a modeling company that collects all of your model's components from numerous vendors and then assembles them before delivering them to you. This is a worthless exercise that you almost certainly do not have.

Manufacturing your product by a unified prototyping company addresses both of these potential difficulties by providing for quick alterations and hiring integrated and comprehensive specialists who can supervise all areas of the design process.

Another benefit of engaging with a consistent, reputable prototyping company that can provide all of the prototyping solutions you need under one roof is IP protection.

Your ideas are more likely to get robbed if a lot of people see them. Collaboration with a lone prototyping company means fewer eyes on your concepts and a lower risk of a vital file ending in the wrong hands.

Speed

To maintain a competitive advantage, prototypes must be released into the market considerably more quickly. As a result, you must only hire a firm with a trained workforce of design professionals who can work rapidly and get concepts to market.

If you wish to obtain a competitive advantage, you must meet this criterion. To produce models in a matter of days, the leading rapid prototyping businesses rely on their innovative technologies. As a result, if your prototyping firm fails to fulfill timelines, you should hunt for a new supplier.

Inquire about the company's ability to act quickly to orders throughout product innovation, market launch, or implementation stage. Few companies also offer rapid prototyping.

Cost

Consider cost in mind while choosing a prototype manufacturer. Prototyping prices vary from one prototyping company to another, as you may be familiar with. Some companies charge per hour, while others charge per order.

It's vital to remember that the manufacturing process and materials used also influence the pricing. The complexity of the design may also have an impact on prototyping expenses.

Before engaging in prototyping solutions and services, make sure you understand the cost split. While at that, you can request a CNC instant quote as it will help you have a plan in place.

Help with Design

If you're an entrepreneur, or if this is your first time working with a prototyping firm, you may not have been an expert in most production procedures. Consequently, while choosing a production provider, please make certain that they provide continual information and coaching.

A reputable prototyping company should constantly provide you with advice, information, and choices for the greatest materials to use and the ideal technique to follow. Consequently, if you're unclear about which methods to employ, it's not a bad idea to seek advice from the company.

Conclusion

Selecting the right company may impact how much money and work you put into the entire production cycle. Please do your research to confirm that they meet the required standards.

What is SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) used for?

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we will discuss what is Selective Laser Sintering, why is it used for. Selective Laser Sintering is a popular 3D printing technology used to create durable prototypes and end-use parts from CAD files. Its one of the oldest and most popular forms of additive manufacturing techniques and thanks to further technological advances, its use is becoming widespread. In this guide, we will explore what SLS is and what it is used for. 

How does Selective Laser Sintering work?

SLS uses a nylon or polyamide powder which is spread successively in thin layers with a high-powered laser that selectively sinters the powder according to data derived from digital models. This process is repeated layer after layer, binding the powdered material together to produce a final, firm structure. Excess powder is removed manually to reveal the final shape before bead blasting is applied to further remove powder residue. 

What is SLS used for?  

SLS is used for high productivity manufacturing tasks thanks to the laser’s high power and capability to scan quickly and accurately. It is a technology able to produce durable prototypes from a broad range of nylon-based materials, and it is also capable of printing independently moving parts in a single build. SLS is known as the go-to technology for producing complex shapes. It does not require a support structure and utilises unused powder to further add to its strength. In industries where lightweight material is imperative to a successful design (for example, aircraft building and automotive) SLS printed parts are invaluable. 

What kind of products are made with SLS? 

Being able to produce high strength products at a low volume, using different materials, like glass, plastic, metal and ceramics, means SLS printing is used to create many different tailored products. Medical and dentistry products such as prosthetics, hearing and dental aids are made using SLS. SLS is often utilised in industries where high-volume production is not required, for example, end-use parts for aeroplanes where only small quantities are needed on an infrequent basis. Businesses are able to store the digital files needed for SLS printing inexpensively and reproduce designs as and when required, instead of spending money on the expensive storage of moulds used in traditional manufacturing.

Benefits of Selective Laser Sintering 

SLS has an impressive number of benefits. Primarily, it is a technology suitable for high productivity and quick turnaround times of less than 24 hours. The nylon powder used needs only a very brief exposure to the laser for sintering, making the process faster than other technologies. The associated cost of moulds is not required meaning it is ideal for rapid prototyping. Along with these benefits, SLS is a self-supporting technology, affording greater scope for more complex designs. This differs from the more widely adopted FDM (Fused deposition modelling) printing and stereolithography (SLA) which require structure support during printing. Laser adhesion is also stronger with SLS printing and the porous surfaces created to allow for a very effective dyeing process to final shapes and products. 

How does SLS compare to other technologies?

Although SLS has a huge array of advantages there are some limitations to its use, warranting the need for other forms of 3D printing technology. One of its key drawbacks is cost. Compared to FDM and SLA printers which are obtainable for around $500 or less, a desktop SLS printer is a few thousand dollars, thus compromising its appeal for hobbyists. SLS prints are excellent for prototypes but for end-use functional parts, there are some disadvantages because of the porous quality of the final product. Although this porosity lends itself to excellent dyeing and colouring potential, this is not the case for the structural integrity of the final product. In addition, because SLS prints go through a cooling process following sintering, there is the propensity for shrinking and warping leading to the production of inaccurate shapes.  Compared to SLA printing, where liquid resin is used instead of powder, SLS printing can generate more waste. This is because the resin in SLA printing can be reused whereas the quality of reused powder in SLS printing is compromised and needs to be disposed of. Coupled with this, the process of cleaning the powder from the finished product is messy. In an industrial setting, this does not cause a problem as cleaning chambers are often used, however, this necessary procedure can be off-putting for those using a small scale or desktop printers as the powder is difficult to control. 

Conclusion 

SLS is a proven and effective form of 3D printing and has been used in manufacturing for decades. Predominantly used in an industrial setting for rapid prototyping, it is difficult to envisage its use for smaller-scale activities as the inherent expense, poor recyclability of powder and complexity of use have so far formed a barrier for 3D printing novices. 

Solenoid Valve: How They Work

In several domestic, commercial, or industrial settings where gases or liquids have to be distributed or mixed, solenoid valves are used to ensure the accuracy and precision of all the control aspects. To help you understand the types and working principles of solenoid valves, selection criteria, and everything in between, we’ve covered all you need to know about these electrically controlled valves. You should also have a look at the Linear Solenoid.

What are Solenoid Valves and How Do They Work?

Solenoid valves are electromechanical devices that feature two major components: a valve body (G) and a solenoid (Figure 1). The solenoid is an electric coil (A) with a movable magnetic core that’s centrally located, also called a plunger (E). It’s also made up of an armature (B), a shading ring (C), a spring (D), and a seal (F).

For a normally closed valve in the resting position, the plunger closes a small hole or orifice that allows the fluid to flow. As soon as the electric current passes through the coil, it’s energized, and an electromagnetic field forms and exerts a force on the plunger, opening the orifice.

That said, it’s worth noting that solenoid valves are only used to control clean liquid and gases. This is because dirt can easily block the orifice, causing performance issues.

Types of Solenoid Valves

Before we look at the working principles of solenoids, we’ll first look at the two popular solenoid valve configurations. These are the normally closed (NC) and the normally open (NO) solenoid valves.

For NC solenoid valves, it is closed when the coil is de-energized, i.e., when there’s no electric current flowing through it. This means that the orifice is closed, and no medium can flow through it. Once the solenoid is powered, the current flows through the coil and energizes it. This creates an electromagnetic field with a resultant force that pushes the plunger upwards to overcome the resistive spring force. This opens up the orifice and allows the fluid media to flow through the valve. NC valves are good for fail-safe applications that need the media to stop flowing if power is lost.

With NO solenoid valves, the valve is always open when the coil is de-energized. Once an electric current passes through the coil, an electromagnetic field is created, and the resultant force pushes the plunger to the downward position to overcome the resistive spring force. Here, the seal will be seated right on the orifice, closing it and preventing any fluid from flowing via the valve. Often, a NO solenoid is best used for applications, which require the solenoid valve to be on or open for a longer period since it becomes more energy and cost-efficient.

Besides the normally closed and normally open solenoids, there’s also another type called the latching or bi-stable solenoid valve. Unlike the previous two, this type is switched on and off using an instantaneous or momentary power source. The solenoid will stay in its recent/current position provided there’s no power supplied. This is accomplished by replacing a spring with permanent magnets.

Working Principles of Solenoid Valves 

There are three main ways in which solenoids work. These are:

Direct-acting

A direct-acting solenoid can either be NO or NC, and its mode of operation is simple. The maximum flow rate and operating pressure are directly proportional to the hole size (diameter) and the solenoid valve’s magnetic force. With this operating principle, the solenoid doesn’t require a minimum pressure or any pressure difference. Direct-acting solenoids are therefore used for small flow rates.

Indirect-acting, Pilot-operated or Servo

Solenoid valves in this category use the pressure difference of the medium to assist in the opening and closing of the valve. The typical minimum pressure required for the valve to operate is nearly 0.5 bar.

In between the outlet and inlet ports is a rubber layer called a diaphragm, which has an orifice through which the fluid medium can easily flow.

Above the membrane is a pressure chamber that serves as an amplifier. This chamber allows a smaller solenoid valve to control a larger flow rate. They are used in industrial or domestic applications that require a higher flow rate and enough pressure differential.

Semi-direct Acting 

With this type of solenoid valve, you enjoy the benefits of both direct-acting and indirect-acting valve operations. Semi-direct acting solenoids operate at zero bar for low flow rate applications and also at pressure differential for high flow rate applications.

Solenoid valves with this working principle have a construction similar to the indirect operating valves except that it has two holes on either side of the membrane, and the plunger is connected directly to the rubber layer. That way, when the electromagnetic force pushes the plunger, the membrane is lifted, opening the valve.

Simultaneously, the second hole is opened if the plunger has a larger diameter compared to the first hole in the rubber membrane. The result is that the pressure inside the chamber above the rubber layer will drop. Hence the membrane isn’t lifted just by the solenoid plunger but also the differential pressure.

Solenoid Valve Use Cases and Approvals  

Solenoids are used in industrial, commercial, and domestic applications to close, open, mix or divert fluid medium. Common domestic applications of solenoids include irrigation systems with automatic control and refrigeration systems to control refrigerants.

Other domestic use cases include air conditioning systems to control air pressure, washing machines and dishwashers to control water flow, and water tanks to control the inflow/outflow of water. In commercial settings, solenoid valves find applications in car washes to control soap and water flow.

And since solenoid valves find different applications in various industries, they must have certain approvals to ensure they conform to industry standards and regulations. Some of the common approvals include:

 
  • UL/UR – this is the popular Underwriters Laboratory certification focused on the safety of the solenoid valves.
  • Drinking water – there are several approvals that solenoid valves must meet to control water flow used for drinking purposes. Common approvals include the FDA, Kiwa (i.e., a drinking-water approval in the Dutch market), and KTW, which approves plastic and non-metallic consumer materials in Germany.
  • CE certification – shows conformity with environmental protection and health requirements for consumer products within the EU economic region.
  • ATEX certification – this is an approval for explosion protection.
  • IP rating – determines the valve’s protection against dust and water.

Choosing a Solenoid Valve

Now that you know what a solenoid valve is, the types, working principles, use cases, and approvals, what follows is to choose the right type for the right applications. When choosing solenoids, you always want to pay attention to the specific applications and the environment in which they will be installed. From here, you can pay attention to the housing material, the seal material, and the degree of protection as far as temperature and pressure considerations are concerned. Other factors to consider are the operation type, valve function, i.e., whether NO or NC, the voltage type (DC or AC), and the solenoid’s response time.

How Parents Can Help With Engineering Homework in the Best Way?

Engineering is quite a difficult field of study but nonetheless, any homework of your child can be done indeed quickly with minimum effort. How? It is important to know both the rules for parents to encourage their kids to do their hw and find the best helper for a child on some of the websites that provide engineering help online service. If you find a perfect match all you need to do is pay for the work of writers who can do the task fully or even explain it in all the details: a true engineering help.

There are a few necessary things to remember especially for those parents who would like to be involved in the engineering homework help of their kids themselves. And these are important not only from the psychological perspective but also from the perspective of mutual work and family cooperation when it comes to attention. Here are these tips:

  • pay attention to the time of working with the children. It helps a lot when there is a specific schedule so that your kid will know for sure that it is time to do homework with you;
  • know the teachers at school and what they usually require from the assignments. The formatting, styles, some other specific criteria that influence the grade… They all play a big role in the help with engineering homework;
  • be a motivator: sometimes, it is better to have someone as a motivator instead of you, and sometimes, I can do that also all alone. Any help must be a real help and not turn into doing the assignment instead of the child;
  • for me, it is also not less important to have my kid concentrate. That is why we need to build up a cozy but working atmosphere and keep everything that is needed for homework on the table. It prevents distractions;
  • the most important stuff is to find the best tutor or a person who would explain some particular things in the technical field. All students need a person who will stay up-to-date and who will guide them through all the inconveniences. Gladfully, it can be nowadays done fully online and instant.

Finally, in my opinion, it is always more effective to hire an expert rather than do the homework with a kid. To know where to hire such a person, you have to find a website that would give you guarantees, good offers, and enough information to trust.

Find Your Perfect Engineering Homework Helper: Tips and Important Information

Any engineering homework helper must be accessible, however, it is even more essential that he or she is highly qualified. AssignEngineering is my personal recommendation since there is the top engineering assignment help. The feedback of all the writers is nice, and there are rare cases when someone would be disappointed with the quality of the homework. Even if there are some people who find the quality low or are not satisfied with the overall look of the assignment, there is always a guaranteed opportunity for free editing.

There are the main pros one will avail oneself of while choosing to apply for online engineering homework help at AssignEngineering.

  1. This website is trusted and experienced. They have been working for years and provide top-quality in over 70 disciplines. Not only engineering but also languages, literature, physics, math, chemistry, biology, and other subjects are covered here. Any academic level is reachable for the writers.
  2. They provide free revisions, you only have to mention it if the task needs to be “polished”.
  3. They provide not only ready assignments but also ethical help. This means that a writer will explain to you how to do the task yourself. You will be able to catch the idea of the process too. The A+ grade chance will be even higher! However, you have to pay for ordering this.
  4. Students enjoy support 24/7 constantly.
  5. This website ensures anonymity, security regarding your personal data, and also baning data. It cooperates with only trusted payment systems, so you don’t have to worry about your costs or private information. No one will ever know that you used this online service because it is confident. A special software checks every task for plagiarism, so no worries are needed when it comes to the uniqueness of your order.
  6. All the experts are experienced in what they are doing, however, you can still choose them since there are 3 types of writers. The best available, top-10, and advanced ones. They are slightly different in their competence and the price, however, it doesn’t matter which one to choose unless you need to save a bit of money. For bigger projects that need attention and the best possible quality, it is better to choose one of the top-10 writers and pay an extra 40%.
  7. Everything is transparent: pricing policy, a free online calculator, and so on give you the perfect opportunity to check how much you will pay in the end. There are never hidden fees there, and it was also one of the most important and indispensable criteria for me just like for the other students who are on the budget. So even if you are a parent of such a student, prices are usually very friendly.

Regarding the process of forming an order, it is simple and quick. You have to go online and fill in the data about your future order. There, you have to mention the academic level, the number of pages, the type of expert, and so on. You will see these fields when you click on “order” on the website. Keep in mind that the deadline, the type of writer, and the volume of the assignment you would like to order will influence the final price. That is why think of it beforehand and prioritize what is actually important for you in the future order.

Still, a small tip: the closer the date of the deadline is, the more expensive a task will cost. Enjoy this service and know this to feel even more comfortable!

A Project Manager's Guide to Resource Planning

Project managers have the demanding task of effectively managing human and non-human resources for the success of ongoing projects. In resource planning, project managers strategize on how to utilize the resources available to teams for the achievement of project goals and objectives. Members within managed teams are assigned tasks based on their skills and capacity to deliver the required results in each project milestone. The lack of effective resource planning can result in wastage of available resources and eventually lead to failure of the entire project.

What is resource planning?

Resource planning involves the management of available resources in a project with the aim of achieving project efficiency. Successful projects depend on the use of selected tools for the implementation of effective resource planning strategies in the project. For example, project managers can determine whether the project remains within the budget in resource planning at a small or enterprise project management scale. The Sirvez resource planner is one of the valuable tools that project managers can use to strategize and manage the activities associated with resource planning in their projects. Sirvez makes it easy to manage resources according to tasks and subtasks within the project.

Start resource planning with the Sirvez

As project managers use manual processes and tools such as spreadsheets to carry out resource planning tasks, errors will likely emerge from the process. The result is additional time and resource wastage across the different stages of a project. The elimination of errors and an accurate view of your team's capacity to plan resources and schedule tasks are some of the benefits of using resource planning software such as Sirvez.

Figure: Tools used for resource planning within Sirvez

Automated processes using resource planning software enable the project manager to view how human resources are distributed within different areas and stages of a project. For example, a project manager can design a visual project schedule using Gantt charts to show the duration of tasks. Project managers can make adjustments through resource allocation across the project in a timely and accurate way.

Structured Estimating

In the estimation of essential components of a project, project managers use different techniques in the process. The structured estimating technique is one of the useful techniques that help project teams come up with an accurate estimation of resource needs in entire projects. Project teams involved in Agile projects can use the structured estimation technique at the beginning of the project and each sprint marked in the project. Structured estimation as conducted in enterprise project management on aspects such as time and cost at each sprint ensures accuracy at different levels of the project. Hence, project teams can develop accurate figures that are difficult to get using techniques such as back-of-the-envelope calculations.

The business value of ERP

The use of enterprise resource planning offers project managers the support they need to improve efficiency in their projects. Enterprise resource planning allows the integration of different business and project processes to create consistency in infrastructure and business operations. The benefits of using enterprise resource planning include reporting and accessing data from various business processes on a single platform. Some of the additional ways that enterprise resource planning improves business value include:

  • The elimination of redundancies in the allocation of resources to managed teams in the business or ongoing project
  • Improving the level of accuracy in resource planning, and
  • Improving the productivity of human resources as they are distributed according to their skills and capabilities.

Project managers can use enterprise resource planning to achieve their projects' specific resource planning goals and objectives.

Resource planning for teams

Resource planning for teams takes into account the resource needs of all teams involved in tasks and subtasks of a project. At the start of a project, the tasks are allocated according to the human and non-human resources available for the project. Hence, project teams receive an allocation of resources that will enable them to achieve optimal project outcomes. The resource planning process follows specific steps. The steps in the process include:

  1. Planning- to determine the nature of resources needed for the attainment of project goals
  2. Inventory available resources – meetings for all teams can help to eliminate conflict that might arise from shared resources
  3. Forecasting the demand for resources – shared information on each team's resource needs can help estimate future resource needs.
  4. Estimation of gaps – Gaps might arise when the forecasting shows that the potential demand for resources might exceed the availability of such resources
  5. Formulation of an Action Plan – the action plan will help strategize acquiring the needed resources.
  6. Implementation of the resource plan in line with the project goals and objectives
  7. Monitoring and feedback – enables continuous updates to the resource plan

Using a resource planning tool can help keep track of all variable inputs for each sprint and the entire project.

Plan to project

As a roadmap that helps project managers map the tasks and subtasks of a successful project, the project planning phase ensures that all the project steps are highlighted at the start of the project. Activities such as determining project requirements, costing, scheduling and listing deliverables, resource planning, and approval for progress to the next phase are part of the project planning phase and contribute to success. In addition, the project tasks outlined from the start enable the project teams to complete all tasks on time.

Hold a resource management meeting

Deciding on how to allocate resources to your project teams effectively might be a challenge. In this case, using Sirvez's resource planning capabilities, you can skip the risk and uncertainty of using manual processes and tools for resource planning activities. Through Sirvez's automated processes, you can increase the level of efficiency in the resource planning process. Whether you aim to manage resources at the start of the project or each sprint in the project, you can rely on Sirvez's capabilities to achieve your project's goals and objectives.

6 Tips to Help You Prepare for an Engineering Degree

Engineering is one of the most profitable and fastest-growing industries in 2021. As the world continues to embrace automation and machine learning, engineers will become even more essential than they are now. Earning your undergraduate in engineering can open the door for many careers in development, manufacturing, programming and more. The best part is that with so many specializations, the discipline has virtually limitless possibilities.

But starting a new program is intimidating, especially when you have to consider different schools and potential costs. At the top institutions, engineering degrees are some of the most competitive. This means the acceptance rate is lower than average, and you'll have to prepare ahead of time if you want to get in. Even after that acceptance letter comes in, you'll need additional skills and strategies to make the most out of your studies. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by coursework, these helpful tips will prepare you to tackle all your classes with ease. You'll maximize your learning, lower stress and get a better school-life balance that makes college more memorable.

Take Advanced Placement Classes

If you're still in high school, take AP classes that will prepare you for an engineering degree. You may want to take AP Calculus, Physics, Computer Science and Statistics to give yourself the most well-rounded foundation. In addition to being more familiar with the building blocks of the field, you'll also be a more desirable applicant. College admissions offices look for students whose histories demonstrate passion and foresight. Someone who has dedicated themselves to learning about the major before they've even been accepted is always promising. For those who are already out of school, don't worry. You can still begin studying now. In fact, it may be beneficial to hire a tutor to get your skills in math and science up to par prior to the start of school.

Follow Real Engineers Online

Look for real-life professionals who use their social media platforms to share, enrich and educate others. They can be found in professional networks, like LinkedIn, or more casual sites like Twitter and YouTube. It's a good idea to start building your own circle on LinkedIn so you have a higher chance of finding a good mentor later. You can also learn a lot from these experts just by reading their regular content. Don't be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself, either. While not everyone may be willing to answer questions, the majority are passionate about their field and love helping aspiring engineers learn more. While they may be too busy to act as a personal guide, they can still likely point you in the direction of helpful resources to further your learning.

Start Exploring Your Payment Options Early

Paying for an engineering degree can be daunting, but there are several options to build a solid plan. If you have savings, factor those into your total tuition cost, then break it down year by year. This will help you determine how much you'll have covered from the start and what percentage you'll need to cover through alternative means. Usually, that means student loans and scholarships. There are hundreds of scholarships you can apply for throughout the year, but most have set deadlines that run between September and May.

Scholarships.com is a great source to start looking for opportunities by major and state. Your school's financial aid department can also direct you to appropriate sources for scholarships and grants. When it comes to loans, the average student tends to have a mix of both federal and private. Federal loans are issued by the government, but they have stricter limits than private loans. Borrowing some of your student loans from a private lender can help you balance your debt and make it easier to pay off when payments are due after graduation and need to build a budget around.

Build Solid Study Habits

Engineering students study plenty of extra hours a week on top of attending regular classes. To make sure you get enough sleep and avoid burnout, you'll need to plan ahead. If studying has never been your strong suit, address your biggest challenges now. Maybe you need to set a timer and work in short bursts rather than long strides. Do you benefit more from visual learning, like videos, or reading a textbook?

You should also look into your school's learning resources. Make sure you know where the tutoring center is and how to schedule an appointment. The better you are at studying, the more you learn in less time. Good habits also translate to strong work skills, too. A person who is able to manage their time well, set deadlines and follow through systematically is more likely to excel in their career. These are also core qualities of a good engineer that employers look for, which you can demonstrate through a strong resume.

Don't Neglect Writing or Communications Skills

Engineers must be able to clearly express often complicated ideas to others in layman's terms. You will have to be an excellent writer and a strong presenter. In addition to collaborating with peers, you will also likely find yourself working with people outside of engineering in your role. Many professionals even find themselves in consulting positions, which require the ability to easily transmit ideas through written and verbal communication. By taking some English composition and public speaking courses, you'll be more prepared to share your knowledge and work with the world.

Start a Portfolio of Projects

Part of the hiring process for future jobs will require showing a portfolio of your work. Employers will assess the quality and presentation, but they'll also be looking at the skills you need to make your projects come to life. You should not wait until you've graduated to start working on serious projects. Use your time in school wisely, and take full advantage of the resources you'll have access to on campus. Engineering labs give you the ability to work with high-level equipment you won't be able to access after you graduate. You can also work on teams, join clubs and turn to your professors for guidance.

Ten Roofing Maintenance Tips For Lasting Roofline Results

Roofing issues can be overwhelming! Whether you have purchased a new home or have resided in a house for the past twenty years, roofing issues are here to stay. In most cases, these roofing issues include roof leaks, interior water damage, or missing shingles. These problems make roofing maintenance an imperative and attention-seeking job for many homeowners. Now, what to do in this case? Who to call? Well, there are many roofing maintenance firms out there, that can lend you a helping hand in resolving these issues. Also, some roofing maintenance tips can offer lasting results.

1. Examine Your Roof

While buying a new home or commercial space, your focus should be on the roof. The roof is the prime protective layer of your premises. Even if you have been living in the house for years, it is crucial to assess the condition of the roof periodically. Take a trip to your roof once a month. It would be better if experts inspect the roof and predict its life expectancy before you run around with a bucket for leaks.

2. Keep The Clutter Away

Though surrounding landscapes add beauty, the falling leaves and twigs can clog your gutter system. It would prevent proper drainage of rainwater or melting snow. Regular cleaning can avoid damage to your rooftop. While cleaning, you should prefer not to stand on your roof and keep a garbage bag or a bucket to collect all the debris. After picking up large pieces, wash your roof with a hose to flush out dirt. Trimming the trees is another option to minimize the natural debris.

3. Floss The Moss

Your haven cannot be at the mercy of moss. Lichen, moss, and algae need damp habitats to reproduce. Your roof becomes an ideal place for their growth. They have the potential to weaken your entire home. Once moss seeps between the shingles, it can damage the inside panel of the wooden beam that holds up your home. Since mosses have a persistent nature of returning, you would need a permanent professional solution.

4. Stimulate Ventilation

In the absence of proper ventilation, dampness and heat can aggravate roof rotting. The sheathing and rafting lose their effectiveness and threaten the protective layer of your home. It also increases the danger to your interior. Your roof can start seeing tiny holes, which can enlarge over time. Exposure to sufficient sunlight can nip the evil in the bud.

5. Roof Needs Sunscreen

The harmful UV rays and excessive exposure to the sunlight can devastate your roof lining. Speaking to a certified roof expert can mitigate the impact and provide an effective sunscreen solution for your roof.

6. The First Sign of Damage

Your roof is constantly attacked by the environment in the form of natural disasters, stormy weather, high temperatures, etc. Holes in the granules or discoloration of the shingles hint towards damage. The blistering shingles indicate that it is time for a replacement. Ignoring the first signs can lead to extensive damage and expensive repair work.

7. Trim The Trees

Though you love the greenery around you, your roof may not be fond of clinging tree branches. The overhanging branches can spell disaster for your roof. The trees may strike against the shingles and crush your roof during hurricanes and tornadoes. It would be a good idea to trim your trees to safeguard your roof.

8. Attic Insulation For Your Roof

Insulated rooftops lock in the heat during winters and prevent cool air from escaping your indoors during summers. It will help if you ensure effective insulation in and around your attic space. An insulated roof assures a healthier and more durable home that prevents ice damming, moisture build-up, etc.

9. Renew Flashing Seals

Weatherproofing your home is an integral part of roof protection. From time to time, your roof demands the replacement of caulking around the flashings, such as a chimney, vent pipes, etc. Withering caulks can lead to seepage and damage. Scrape the residues of the old caulk and apply new ones to seal the gaps.

10. Prepare For Winters

It is crucial to pay heed to roof maintenance at the onset of winter. Once it starts snowing, it would not be safe to climb up your roof. Your house may be exposed to bad weather if the roof gives in at any time during the winter season. You would have to wait for spring to begin with repair work.

Roof maintenance is serious work. You can take up the task yourself or contact the experts of roofing.

Syed Zain Nasir

I am Syed Zain Nasir, the founder of <a href=https://www.TheEngineeringProjects.com/>The Engineering Projects</a> (TEP). I am a programmer since 2009 before that I just search things, make small projects and now I am sharing my knowledge through this platform.I also work as a freelancer and did many projects related to programming and electrical circuitry. <a href=https://plus.google.com/+SyedZainNasir/>My Google Profile+</a>

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Syed Zain Nasir