Printed circuit boards are used all over the world and can be found in the devices you use every day. The worldwide industry is believed to be worth more than $87 billion and sales in the UK amounted to almost £100 million in 2022.
Today’s PCB design utilizes high-density interconnect design practices. Some popular items where these circuit boards are used include smartphones, add-in cards for servers, and small medical wearables.
If you want to learn more about them, the different types, and where you may find them, this is the guide for you. Continue reading below and we’ll hopefully answer your burning questions about these fascinating bits of kit.
What is a printed circuit board?
This is a rigid structure made up of metal traces and planes. Components are then soldered to the board, allowing them to become interconnected. These boards are built to power devices of all shapes and sizes.
To create a functioning printed circuit board, you’ll need to create a schematic, simulate the circuitry, use a CAD tool setup, place your components on it, route it, and finally, build the board.
What are the different types of printed circuit boards?
Your PCB design software can be used on various boards. Some of the most common types include:
Single-sided
All components will be mounted on one surface. This PCB will typically be fully copper with a solder mask.
Double-sided
Unlike the single-sided, you can mount your components on the front and back. Each surface has a single layer, allowing it to carry signals between your components.
Multi-layer
These can be single- or double-sided and they feature conductors on the internal layer of the PCB. The conductors then carry electrical signals between the various components.
Flex
Flex PCBs are more fluid than regular boards. These use a flexible material instead of the regular rigid material, allowing them to have more fluid movement if necessary.
Rigid-flex
Two or more rigid sections are connected by a flexible material. This is typically used when some movement is needed. For example, if the boards need to be folded to fit into a component.
What are printed circuit boards used for?
These highly versatile pieces of tech naturally find themselves used in just about every industry with electrical systems.
Some of the most common sectors that harness the power of PCBs include:
- Medical equipment
- Lighting
- Consumer electronics
- Industrial equipment
- Automotive components
- Aerospace devices
- Marine vessels and systems
- Security equipment
- Mobile devices and telecommunications equipment
- Defence and military applications
As you can see, printed circuit boards play an integral role in most industries. They’re likely to continue to be deployed in the future but new iterations may come into the fold, allowing for greater innovation. This makes the future of PCB exciting for those involved in it.