On Aug 18, Jarnistech, a PCB manufacturer specializing in high-end multilayer and specialty material boards, announced the launch of its glass-based printed circuit board (PCB) solution. The technology has already been adopted in customer prototype validation projects, aimed at applications that require strict control over signal loss, thermal stability, and optical transparency.

As electronic systems continue to evolve toward RF transmission, optoelectronic integration, and miniaturization, glass PCBs have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional FR-4. Glass substrates deliver superior insertion loss characteristics, impedance consistency, thermal stability, and optical clarity, helping address material performance bottlenecks in advanced designs.

"Unlike conventional copper-clad laminates, glass is rigid and brittle," said Mike, an engineer at Jarnistech. "Mechanical drilling and depaneling can't be applied. To overcome this, we've adopted custom fixtures, non-contact handling systems, and laser-induced chemical etching to achieve precise, microcrack-free forming."

He added that operators undergo specialized training in plasma surface treatment and brittle-material handling. Jarnistech has developed a complete technical framework—covering equipment, processes, and operations—to reliably support prototype verification and customized R&D for glass PCBs.

The company has already delivered prototypes to customers in fields such as optoelectronic sensing, millimeter-wave communication, and AR modules. Building on this, Jarnistech is expanding its high-end manufacturing capabilities by leveraging the reliability of specialty substrates. Its portfolio includes Rogers, Isola, Panasonic, Taconic, Teflon, and BT series, as well as hybrid PCB structures, enabling clients to implement high-frequency, high-speed designs.

"Beyond glass substrates, we are also advancing in other specialty PCB materials," said Jeremy Lin, CEO of Jarnistech. "We now have mature processing experience with ultra-low-loss laminates, including Panasonic's Megtron 6 and M8 series. Looking ahead, Jarnistech will continue focusing on specialty PCB solutions to provide stable, reliable support for complex, high-performance designs."