Pcb manufacturing

Technology gets faster and faster by the day. As much as consumers have come to expect timely manufacturing techniques, so too do they expect to receive a high-quality result. With computers, tablets and smartphones the most commonly used forms of technology, efficient and quick circuit board assembly is frequently at the forefront of many companies’ mind. A prototype PCB service should be cost-effective and time-effective, an ideal balance for a world that only becomes more demanding with each new technological renovation.

Circuit Board Industry Figures

Circuit board assembly services have seen impressive growth over the past decade. The revenue of both circuit board and general electronic component manufacturing in the United States reached $44 billion back in 2014, with projections expected to increase as demand for quality hardware and software does. Many companies regularly seek out the aid of a prototype PCB service in order to try out new methods while still guaranteeing quality for their consumers.

PCB Assembly History

PCB fabrication has changed significantly over the years. Before modern methods of PCB design were introduced industry-wise, printed circuit boards would be designed using clear Mylar sheets as much as four times larger than the circuit board itself. Designers would create a transparent photomask of the offered design and, by hand, create the low volume PCB that pioneered many electronic industries. The year 1995, just over 50 years after the first introduction of the printed circuit board, saw the industry reaching a historical $7 billion. A mere five years later would see the industry reaching $10 billion and, ever since 2012, the worldwide figures have hit $60 billion with no signs of slowing down.

Common Assembly Issues

Every prototype PCB service will go to great lengths to avoid common issues with design, assembly and distribution. Problems caused through the printing technique have been found to account for nearly 70% of all surface assembly quality problems. In order to avoid printing errors that lead to lower-quality results, board designers now use computer-aided design systems installed with specialized software to properly layout the circuit pattern on each board. The spaces between each electronic conducting paths can be 0.04 inches or smaller, depending on the model.

Using A Prototype PCB Service

Whether you need a small batch PCB assembly or something larger, you can be rest assured your business’ quality will remain consistent with the aid of modern printing services. The most common multilayer boards for PCB printing are as follows — four layers, six layers, eight layers and 10 layers. The total number of layers able to be manufactured, however, can exceed 42 in certain conditions. Double-sided circuit boards are able to connect the circuits on each side using either through-hole technology or surface mount technology. Last, but not least, the advent of machine-assembly means shops can now assemble PCBs in a fraction of the time. PCB fabrication is better than it’s ever been and it’s only a matter of time when you want to take advantage of what it has to offer.