With all the technology, gadgets, and gizmos that occupy our everyday lives, chances are you come across several dozen products that contain printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCB fabrication and assembly has become a crucial part of our world with everything from television remotes, microwaves, computers, and smartphones relying on a PCB in order to maintain electronic connections. Here are some facts on the history and modern applications enjoyed thanks to PCB fabrication and assembly processes.
Circuit Board Usage
Printed circuit boards have been used since the 1920s and have remained relatively unchanged throughout most of the past century. It was not until the 1970s when printed circuit boards began shrinking, allowing them to be installed in smaller and smaller pieces of technology. Once the 1990s were here, printed circuit boards started to decrease sharply in price, allowing for cutting edge technology that could be afforded on any budget. Although some may be quick to dismiss PCBs based on how little they have changed over the course of a century, new innovations and developments for printed circuit boards today are broadening both their function and applications.
Different Kinds of Printed Circuit Boards
There are two types of printed circuit board designs when dealing with the connections and mounted infrastructure: through-hole PCBs and surface mounted PCBs. Through hole mounting has been used for decades and involves the mounting of several different components with lead wires that are led to the printed circuit board through holes drilled into the board itself. Those leads are then soldered in place to offer a permanent mount thus ensuring that the circuit board functions as intended. A newer development in the field of printed circuit boards, surface mounting instead utilizes integrated circuits with components mounted directly onto the board itself. Surface mounted PCBs are smaller in weight and size than through-hole PCBs and can be further customized according to an individual’s own needs. Slowly but surely, surface mounted PCB fabrication and assembly may all together replace through-hold PCBs.
Custom Circuit Board Assembly Services
For new businesses that require mass quantities of printed circuit boards, it is unproductive to assume that they will have to customize each and every circuit board that makes it out to market. This is why many companies first design the printed circuit board that will optimize their product before having it mass produced at a PCB prototype assembly plant. PCB manufacturers are able to create circuit boards of any shape and size to bring products to life. Contact an accredited PCB manufacturer to see what options are available to amplify your business today.
