In most electronics today, particularly in smaller devices and with the ever increasing demand for thinner and more streamlined options in personal electronics and devices, the move to printed circuit board design has become a driving force in the market.
Although the thin, lightweight profile is one reason why printed circuit board design is so important today, it is not the only reasons that more companies and manufacturers are moving to this option over traditional circuit boards.
In its most basic elements, the printed circuit board is a combination of glass fabricated plastic. Then fine copper is used to create the wires or tracks on the board to connect the various components. The components themselves are attracted to the board with solder for a solid base and hold.
Easy Manufacturing and Maintenance
The manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) is very easy once the printed circuit board design is set. This can be completed by fully automated systems at a fraction of the amount of time and cost of the traditional circuit boards where wires and components had to be affixed to the board and each other.
This also means there are fewer components on the board that can be damaged. For replacing in the field, it is very easy to swap out one PCB for another in just a few minutes.
No Issues In Production
Through the automation in the production of PCBs, there is no human error, broken circuits, incorrectly soldered wiring other issues that are common with the manually made boards. Once the printed circuit has been tested prior to production and found to be working, every board produced off of that design will also be a working board.
Not only does this reduce the waste and cost of production, but it also allows for mass production on a scale that would not be possible with traditional manufacturing processes.