Methods for manufacturing a Z-directed printed circuit board component having a removable end portion

A method for forming a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board, comprising:

• filling a first cavity having a tapered surface with a body material to form a tapered end portion of the Z-directed component;
• providing a first layer of a constraining material on top of the first cavity, the first layer of the constraining material having a second cavity having a width that is smaller than a width of the first cavity;
• filling the second cavity with the body material;
• providing successive layers of the constraining material on top of the first layer of the constraining material, each of the successive layers of the constraining material having an additional cavity defining an outer shape of a corresponding layer of a main body portion of the Z-directed component;
• selectively filling the additional cavities of the successive layers of the constraining material with at least the body material to form the corresponding layers of the main body portion of the Z-directed component;
• dissipating the constraining material to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material;
• and
• firing the Z-directed component.