PCB stands for printed circuit boards. For many, that is an arbitrary fact that does not matter but for some, it is a key term that relates to a vast industry worth a fortune in today’s age of technology. For the experts, this industry is easy to navigate with a high level of knowledge but for those not engaged on quick turn PCB prototypes, it can be incredibly confusing.
It is easy to get lost in the terminology that surrounds prototype circuit boards and the PCB industry. For instance, how can one tell the difference between prototype circuit boards and circuit board prototyping? What does a PCB manufacturer do to construct the printed circuit board design and layout? These are all fair questions to ask about prototype circuit boards. Here are some facts regarding prototype circuit boards and the circuit board industry.
There are two types or circuit board assemblies that are similar to a printed circuit board. The first type is called an integrated circuit and is sometimes referred to as a microchip or IC in abbreviated terms. Also, the second type of circuit assembly is called a hybrid circuit. You are able to extract both a PentaLogix F04 format netlist and an IPC-356 industry standard netlist that includes trace information. If the two previously mentioned facts are confusing then you will want to consult an expert, because we are just getting started.
The primary insulating substrate upon which the vast majority of rigid printed circuit boards are produced upon is called the FR-4 glass epoxy. A thin layer of copper foil is laminated on both sides of an FR-4 panel. Then, etched into copper layers are circuitry interconnections and this produces the printed circuit boards. Complex circuits can be produced in multiple layers.
In order to print the legend, you can use three different methods which contain the component designators, test points, switch settings and other indications. These indications are helpful with assembling, testing, and servicing the circuit board. These are the three different methods: liquid photo imaging, ink jet printing, and silk screen printing. The temperature marker material is at first opaque but when it hits 413F (212C) the material will liquefy and become shiny, non-reversibly.
Laminates are created through the process of curing the lamination under pressure and temperature layers of cloth or paper with thermoset resin to form an integral final piece of uniform thickness. The size, in width and length, can go up to 4 by 8 feet. Stencils that are framed contain smooth aperture walls and can easily be used for 16 mil pitch and below for Micro BGAs. Surface mount printed circuit boards are up to one-tenth of the size of through-hole circuits.
The blind via is defined as a via that extends only to one surface of the printed circuit board as opposed to multiple surfaces. The failure of a printed circuit board can be attributed to one of two different factors. The first is performance problems from stress created by the environment, the second is caused by any problems created by the manufacturer during the simple production process. Over the course of the past thirty years, printed circuit board assemblies have been implemented into the design and operation of most traffic lights used in North America.
In conclusion, the most noteworthy fact regarding prototype circuit boards is that it is an industry of the future. A market research analyst from Technavio has predicted that global printed circuit board market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3% by 2020. Other projections believe that the printed circuit board market is projected to reach an estimated $72.6 billion by the year of 2022.