Electronics Design and Fabrication

Printed Circuit Board Fabrication

We specialize in dense, mixed-signal, multilayer circuit boards, flex, and rigid-flex, ranging from high reliability to novel prototyping for a variety of APL needs. Our teams continually assess new materials, develop fabrication techniques, and offer creative, collaborative solutions to realize the Lab’s innovative concepts and achieve a wide variety of project deliverables. Our capabilities range from extremely small feature sizes and concealable prototypes to high-layer-count laminated rigid-flex for spaceflight and everything in between.

Electronics Assembly and Hybrid Packaging

We produce and modify a diverse range of sponsor electronics, including circuit card assemblies, cabling, magnetics, and electromechanical subsystems, taking them from back-of-the-napkin prototypes to qualified, fully documented, and traceable spaceflight hardware. To meet environmental requirements, our team utilizes polymerics staking and coating solutions, including parylene. Our hybrid packaging capabilities, such as wirebonding, underfill, and encapsulation, facilitate multi-chip module and device packaging development. Throughout the entire process, we provide established automation equipment and expertise as well as skilled, certified technician hand-assembly, giving APL a unique advantage.

Microelectronics, Nanofabrication, and Advanced Platings

Our micro/nanofabrication expertise, paired with a user-accessible clean room and equipment, provides APL with the means to go from idea to realized innovation in a collaborative and expeditious manner. We also maintain relationships and contracts with regional laboratories such as the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and National Institute of Standards and Technology, enabling access to processes and equipment not available on our main campus. Our diverse capabilities also include device decapsulation/depackaging, advanced platings, lapping and polishing, chemical milling, and metrology.

Electronics Design

Leveraging the collective expertise of our team, we seamlessly integrate your specified requirements into the manufacturing process. Our proficiency in design is comprehensive; whether it’s a substantial or modest project, our team of design engineers is adept at overseeing every facet of the design journey. We collaborate closely with our APL partners or, alternatively, will coordinate with a third-party vendor if outsourcing is needed. Our team offers support throughout all phases of the design process and plays a pivotal role in advancing customer product designs and improvements, ultimately benefiting our clients.

*APL’s Master Inventor Award honors staff members who have demonstrated a career of innovation with 10 or more patents based on APL intellectual property.