When you’re dealing with high-power applications, standard PCBs just don’t cut it. That’s where PCBSYNC’s 4 oz heavy copper PCB manufacturing comes in handy. These boards are built for situations where you need serious current-carrying capacity and better heat dissipation than what you’d get from regular circuit boards.
The 4 oz copper weight refers to the thickness of the copper layer on the board – specifically, 4 ounces of copper per square foot, which translates to about 140 microns thick. That’s significantly beefier than your typical 1 oz boards, and the difference shows up in performance. You’ll see these boards in power supplies, automotive electronics, solar panel inverters, and industrial control systems where heat management and current handling matter.
PCBSYNC’s manufacturing process handles the challenges that come with heavy copper. The etching process is trickier with thicker copper, and maintaining tight tolerances requires experienced engineering. They work with layer counts ranging from single-layer designs up to complex multilayer boards, depending on what your application needs.
One thing worth considering is that heavy copper boards cost more than standard PCBs. The material itself is pricier, and the manufacturing takes more time. But if you’re building something that needs to handle high current loads without overheating or needs robust thermal management, the investment makes sense. It’s cheaper than dealing with field failures or having to over-engineer your cooling system.
The lead times vary based on complexity and order size, but PCBSYNC handles both prototype runs and production volumes. They’ll work with your Gerber files and can provide DFM feedback to catch potential issues before manufacturing starts.
If you’re working on power electronics, motor drives, or anything pulling serious amperage, heavy copper PCBs should be on your radar. The 4 oz option hits a sweet spot between capability and cost for many applications without going overboard into the 6 oz or higher territory unless you really need it.
