JLCPCB Blog

Heating Technology & Trends

What Is a Strip Heater? How It Works: A Complete Guide [2026]

Strip heaters are electric resistance heaters commonly used to heat metal surfaces, machinery, and industrial equipment. Their flat, narrow design allows them to be mounted against surfaces or in spaces where other heater shapes may be less suitable. Understanding how strip heaters are constructed and installed helps determine whether they’re the right choice for a particular heating application. What Is a Strip Heater? A strip heater converts electrical energy into heat through a resistance element h......

Oct 23, 2026

Heating Technology & Trends

Cartridge Heater Applications: Where and How They Are Used

Sometimes the difficult part of heating a machine is finding room for the heater. External hardware can obstruct moving parts or leave heat too far from the working zone. Industrial cartridge heater applications address that issue by placing the heat source inside the metal itself. Examples include molds, dies, hot runner manifolds, sealing bars, platens, heating blocks, semiconductor tools, laboratory instruments, and 3D-printer hot ends. But an industry label doesn't specify a heater. Here's how the......

Oct 23, 2026

Heating Technology & Trends

Induction Heat Treatment: Hardening, Tempering & Stress Relief

Induction heat treatment is a heat treatment process that uses an alternating electromagnetic field to generate heat inside an electrically conductive workpiece. It enables manufacturers to selectively heat specific areas of a component for processes such as hardening, tempering, annealing, and stress relieving, rather than heating the entire part in a furnace. This localized heating makes induction particularly useful for applications that require controlled case depth, repeatable results, and integr......

Oct 23, 2026

Heating Technology & Trends

Types of Heating Elements and How They Work [2026]

An electric heating element is any element that transforms electrical energy into heat, typically by electrical resistance. If an electric current flows through a resistance material, the electrical power is dissipated in the form of heat. Two seemingly identical heating elements can deliver very different results depending on how they are designed and used. Some are exposed, while others are enclosed in a sheath or designed for insertion into equipment. Others may be clamped to a surface or bonded to......

Oct 23, 2026

Assembly Techniques

01005 Assembly Guide: PCB Design, Stencil, Feeder Static and Reflow

Key Takeaways 01005 (imperial) parts measure 0.4 × 0.2 mm and are called 0402 in metric. Reliable assembly rests on a flat surface finish such as ENIG, symmetrical NSMD pads, a stencil about 3 mil thick with fine paste, static control at the feeder, and 3D SPI before placement. Because 01005 parts are slow and risky to rework, first-pass yield is the number that matters most. Six SMD capacitors on a fingertip, from left: 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805 and 1206. Photo: Filip Wahlberg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via ......

Oct 23, 2026

Components & Sourcing

What Are the Main Relay Types and Which One Should You Use?

Key Takeaways Two Main Types: Relays fall into two main categories: electromechanical relays, which use moving metal contacts to switch a circuit, and solid-state relays, which use electronic components with no moving parts. Choose Based on the Load: The load type determines which relay you need. Consider whether the load uses AC or DC, how much current it draws during normal operation and startup, and how frequently it needs to switch. Coil Behavior: A monostable relay returns to rest when its coil i......

Oct 23, 2026