Copper Distribution on a Panel

Well balanced Copper Distribution on a Panel enhances the overall quality of the panel, improves mechanical stability and the copper plating in the PTH holes etc.

Ensure that your panels have an even copper distribution on each layer and between different layers.

If needed add extra copper patterns inside the circuits, in between the PCB”s or in the panel border.

Evenly distributed copper enhances the overall quality of the panel:

• Better mechanical stability ( reduced risk for bow and twist).
• Well balanced copper plating in the PTH holes and on the copper pattern.

This means that when you design panels containing different PCB”s you should only combine circuits with the same number of layers into the panel.

For instance, never combine 4-layer, 2-layer and 0-layer PCB”s in 1 panel. This will surely cause mechanical stability (plus cause many other problems.

Major problems include bow and twist, and differences in copper plating in the holes and on tracks & pads etc.

We calculate a plating index in PCB Visualizer to give you an idea about the plating behaviour of your board.

Help on how to improve the copper distribution can be found on our Plating Index Solutions page.