Speaking design wise, Printed Circuits Boards (PCBs) have come a long way since their inception in the early 1850s. Since then, they have evolved to fit and facilitate the rapid progress of technological achievements. The PCBs that used to be and the PCBs that exist today are as different from each other as you can imagine. To show you the exact difference, today we are going to tell you about the evolution of PCBs through some very important milestones in its history.

1850s – Origin

The origin of the PCBs can be traced back to the electrical connection systems in the early 1850s. It might be hard to imagine it now, but back then a wooden board was used as a base with electrical components, which were connected with metal rods and strips. Later, to make it more efficient and serviceable, the metal frames replaced the wooden board and thin wiring was used instead of metal rods and strips.

1900s – Advancements in Concept

‘Printed Wires’ was a concept which was patented in the early 1900s by Arthur Berry from Britain. At the time it was also called the print and etch method. But it wasn’t until 1925, when an American developer named Charles Ducas filed a patent of his version of the board which required the creation of electrical paths straight on the insulated surfaces, that something truly revolutionary in the history of PCBs happened because this concept had the potential to produce results by eliminating complex wiring systems.

1940s to 1970s – Advancements in Development

Despite that, the actual development did not proceed till Dr. Paul Eisler came into the picture. Dr. Eisler (originally from Austria but working in United Kingdom at the time) in 1943, filed his own patent for a method, which involved a non-electricity conducting hard base covered with a layer of copper foil and on which conductive patterns were etched. This method proved to be so successful that even the United States military took notice of it. Though they originally planned to use this method to develop weapons during World War II, the research led to the creation of sleeker, smaller, and more efficient transistors in 1950s, which was further aided by the production of doubled sided PCBs that had plated through holes.

The Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC) was established in 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Since then it has morphed into IPC- Association Connecting Electronics Industries. The main purpose of this trade association is to regulate the assembly process and the electronic equipment production requirements.

A United States firm named Hazeltine, patented the technology plated through hole and it role in multi layer PCBs in 1961. This technology allowed developers to work on much more complex boards with components that could be placed more compactly. The manufacturing of PCBs with four and more layers started in 1960s and today, PCBs can have up to fifty layers. But it mostly depends on the application.

The Surface Mount technology was also developed in the late 1960s, but it wasn’t till the 80s that is saw great advancements.

1970s saw the introduction of integrated circuit chips. This again proved to be an important milestone because the components of integrated circuit chips were incorporated seamlessly with PCBs at that time and more advance PCB fabrication techniques came to the fore. The circuitry, the components and the boards themselves kept getting smaller and smaller and the method of hot air soldering became very popular for manufacturing. However the industry standard was created by Japanese developers with their process of using multiple aqueous developed Liquid Photo Imagebales (LPIs) masks.

1980s to 1990s – Breakout

The surface mount technology, developed during 1960s was brought to the fore in the early 1980s. The technology correlates to PCBs in a way that it uses electronics that are specifically made to either stamped or placed directly on one side of the printed boards. The devices that used the surface mount technology include integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and LEDs. This technology also replaced the through-hole components, the end result of which was that the size of the boards got even smaller without affecting its functionality.

In 1990s, multi layering allowed developers to create even more complex circuits boards. As the number of layers grew, the size of the board got smaller and the components along with all other types of material required to make the board began to go down in cost. This allowed developers to combine rigid and flexible PCBs in a myriad of devices. After that the focus was shifted towards efficiency, effectiveness, and speed. The lower cost of the components and materials boosted the production of PCBs in 1995, so much so that it reached over 7 billion dollars. 1995 was also the year when the era of High Density Interconnect (HDI) PCBs started.

2000s to Present

The fabrication of PCBs in United States alone reached more than 10 billion dollars in the year 2000. Today, both rigid and flexible PCBs are a highly affordable option for just about everyone.

Super PCB has made is possible to make PCBs a viable and highly affordable option for businesses. We specialize in developing printed circuit board prototypes and customized PCBs. To get a quote from Super PCB, contact us right now!

If you open up any device in your house whether it’s the computer, the phone or even a complex toy, you are sure to find a printed circuit board (PCB) inside. And though some of them might look similar, they hardly ever are. There are probably as many types of PCBs as the devices they are used in. Here is a list that contains some of the types of PCBs you might have heard of and some that you might not have.

Rigid PCBs

• Single Side Rigid PCBs

Single sided PCBs are probably the simplest, the least complex, and the cheapest printed circuit boards available. They are used in devices that require low complexity. What makes the single sided circuit board so simple and easy to manufacture is that it only has a single layer of copper on a rigid base material. Later on in the manufacturing process, indents and solder resists could be added, as per the requirement of the application. The single sided PCBs can be used with both surface mount components and through hole.

• Double Sided Rigid PCBs

Whereas single sided PCBs are regarded as the simplest to manufacture, the double sided PCBs are the most commonly used. This is because both sides of the PCB are used to attach components and parts. This type of PCB consists of two copper layers on a rigid base material; however, both copper layers are not connected. Platted through holes of the double sided PCBs have two copper layers. Just like single sided PCB, the indents and solder resists could be also be added afterwards and these type of PCBs can be used with both surface mount components and through hole.

• Multi Layer Rigid PCBs

Multi layer PCBs are boards that have more than three copper layers separated by insulations. The multi layered PCBs are created by layering double sided PCBs (also called inner layers) together, and securing them through the bonding process that requires specialized glue. This is done until the required number is achieved and the board is made complete. Commonly, the multi layered PCBs consist of 4, 6, 8, or 10 layers. Up till now, the maximum number of layers that have been for a multilayered PCB is fifty. But there are certain prerequisites for the manufacturing of these boards and they are only made for very complex devices.

Flexible PCBs

• Single Sided Flexible PCBs

Just like their rigid counterpart, the single sided flexible PCBs are the simplest – not so complex – and cheapest to manufacture. This type of PCB consists of a solitary conductor layer on top of a flexible dielectric film. With singles sided flexible PCBs, you have the option of a semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay. To make some parts of this PCB slightly rigid, additional stiffeners are used.

• Double Sided Flexible PCBs

Double sided flexible circuits have two copper layers. Both layers consist of dielectric layer between them. This type of PCB also gives you the option of a semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay, but is normally connected with plated through holes. And just like its single sided counterpart, some part of this PCB can also be made more rigid with the use of additional stiffeners.

• Multi Layer Flexible PCBs

Multilayer flexible PCBs consist of three or more copper layers.  All copper layers have a dielectric layer in between them and are usually connected through plated through holes. But just like all other flexible PCBs, you have the option of semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay and parts of it can be made more rigid with stiffeners.

Flexi-Rigid PCBs

The flexi-rigid PCBs are manufactured by permanently combining parts of a rigid and flexible board together. This type of PCB is used for limited space conditions.

Super PCB is the leading manufacturer of both rigid and flexible PCBs. Through us, you can avail custom printed circuit boards and PCB prototypes. To get a PCB quote, contact us at your earliest convenience.

A 100% tested printed circuit board assures buyers of the PCBs durability, reliability, and quality. Therefore, an organization should always invest in companies that mass-produce PCBs to thoroughly maintain their manufacturing equipment and test their finish products.

Here are the top 5 reasons why an electronic industry that manufacturers computers should only purchase tested printed circuit boards from PCB fabrication houses.

1. Prior Inspection of PCBs

A PCB Fab House designs the inner layers of the circuit board, and before they finalize it for inspection, they need to put the inner layers through a machine called inner layer automated optical inspection (AOI). An AOI makes sure that the inner layers are properly constructed before sending it off for lamination.

In this process, the digital image is compared with the original design of the circuit board. If any differences show then they can be easily corrected.

2. Verification of PCB Prototypes

A printed circuit board prototype is like a trial product that circuit board companies provide to electronic industries. The industry keeps making changes to the prototype until it is perfect to move on to the final stage of manufacturing. This process of checking and making changes is costly and time-consuming for both the buyer and the supplier.

However, the introduction of a flying probe test made it easier to detect for faults like missing components, wrong polarities, and identifying shorts. This process enables industries to quickly check and fix changes in the prototype and quickly launch their final product.

3. X-Ray Inspection

X-ray inspection can discover the tinniest defects in a circuit board even the ones covered by other components. The machine can discover faults like internal cracks, problems in lamination, components not properly fit, and unnecessary porosity. This testing process saves time because defects can easily be spotted and corrected quickly.

4. Testing for Functionality

Trained PCB testers test the circuit board for functionality. They test identifies if the components of the PCB are functioning correctly and if the components of the data are producing the expected outcome.

5. Reliability in Quality– Always

The quality of your product will increase if your organization uses a circuit board that has gone through all the necessary tests. Your organization’s reputation will enhance and your organization will be comfortable knowing that the printed circuit board supplier will always churn out good quality circuit boards.

Printed circuit boards are used by various industries (consumer electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, etc.) to manufacture their products. These industries purchase PCBs from a PCB production house. These industries require the quality of the circuit boards to be consistent; therefore, they have to hire a trustworthy PCB Fab House to produce fully tested circuit boards.

A Competitive Market

Various industries face tough competition in the marketplace from customers. They need to sell a functional product. They need to manufacture a product that will live up to consumer expectation and increase company profit. In doing so, they will recruit the services of a professional PCB Fab House that promises quality.

Defective Product

A printed circuit board is part of the manufacturing process of different products in the telecommunication industry. They have to be careful in who they put their trust into because a defective circuit board would result in consumer lawsuits.

For instance, a cell phone is sold to a consumer and it suddenly catches on fire and explodes. After some investigation, people come to the conclusion that the problem was a faulty circuit board. The organization’s reputation will go down and so will their profits. Hence, it is imminent for the technological industry to use a functional printed circuit boards supplied from a reputable company.

The Difference Between a Good and Bad PCB

When making a choice between two printed circuit board production companies, your organization should look at the company’s credentials and their equipment maintenance policy. They should have important credentials like a certificate from the IPC, RoHs, ISO, and UL.

An organization should never recruit the services of a circuit board supplier that sells PCBs at cheap prices, but a good PCB manufacturer sells high quality PCBs at reasonable prices. A price that sounds too good to be true is likely a hoax.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility means that a company should examine and take responsibility for their products or services impacts on the environment and social welfare. If the PCB manufacturer does not abide by the rules set by RoHs of constructing lead-free printed circuit boards then your organization should avoid dealing with them.

PCBs that contain lead are harmful for the environment and if the drinking waters become affected then it can lead to many diseases.

An organization should go for a company who uses lead-free materials to build circuit boards. Moreover, it is important for your company to maintain goodwill with its consumers.

Are you looking for a cheap, but high quality printed circuit board for your organization? You can probably find suppliers that sell cheap PCBs and promise to offer excellent quality. In truth, if you want something made to last, then you need to purchase it at a reasonable price.

Don’t Believe the Hype

People can’t expect to get quality products at extremely cheap prices. Quality products are those that are manufactured using the best materials and tested with up-to-date technologies. Can you imagine selling a car to someone that doesn’t start or a phone that bursts into flames? If you choose price over quality, your organization will lose its credibility with its customers.

If a company or a store says that their products are the cheapest in the market and their quality is unmatched then quickly turn away. Likewise, if a printed circuit board production house declares that their PCB is cheap and priced low, then you should not even look at them twice. The higher the price of the product the higher the quality is, and the lower the price of the product then lower the quality.

Don’t Consider the Cheap Solution, but an Affordable One

Steer your organization away from scams because your organization has to maintain its reputation in the market and a defected cheap printed circuit board will tarnish it. You do not want your products to create a situation that would cost your organization to lose a lot of money. Especially, if a printed circuit board is the main component in your manufacturing process.

Always Go For Quality

A quality of a company is determined by it candidly disclosing that their prices may not be the cheapest in the market, but when it comes down to producing quality circuit boards, they are the best. There is no hidden agenda and their main emphasis is not to attract customers by offering them the cheapest price, but to attract them by giving them unmatched quality.

You Decide: Quality or Price

An organization’s aim is to increase their profit and revenue. Your organization should use superior components to manufacture their products because that is what their existing customers expect from them. Do not let your customer down and purchase printed circuit boards from believable printed circuit board production houses.

Always choose quality over price and do not be duped into believing false claims.

Industry Association for Printed Circuit Board (IPC) is an association that connects electronic industries. It validates the electronic products of manufacturing companies. An IPC certified company guarantees the quality and reliability of a company that produces printed circuit boards.

Brief History of IPC

Industry Association for Printed Circuit Board was founded in 1957. Since then it has become an international industry that dedicates itself to provide electronic industries with excellent printed circuit boards by ensuring that PCB fabrication houses produce quality and reliable PCBs.

Currently IPC has certified 3,502 companies for producing and selling high-quality products. Automotive, computer, telecommunication, and medical industries are just a few of the industries that prefer to only purchase from IPC certified manufacturing companies. For organizations, the IPC logo is like a stamp of approval for a company that produces electronic components.

Why Prefer an IPC Class II PCB?

Industries are looking for companies that can supply them with quality circuit boards for their electronic products. An indication of a reliable and reputable circuit board supplier is the credentials they possess. An IPC Class II certificate ensures the consistency of the supplier’s product.

A company that holds an IPC II certificate will be found on the Qualified Products List (QPL) and Qualified Manufacturers List (QML). This certificate is only awarded to companies that exhibit that their printed circuit boards meet the quality standards and requirements provided by the IPC.

Industries looking for a circuit board supplier can find them in the Qualified Products List (QPL) and Qualified Manufacturers List (QML). This list helps industries make important decisions related to their manufacturing process and provides suppliers with exposure.

Buying IPC Approved Products

An industry that makes consumer electronics needs to hire a supplier that will help them achieve their goal to be best in the marketplace. IPC Class II certified equipment would ensure the company’s status and success. Implementing IPC Class II standard approved equipment in their assembly process will improve their product’s performance.

In addition, this certificate ensures that your circuit board supplier has employees that are trained in constructing circuit boards that meet the standards set by IPC. Your organization can sit back and relax because the circuit boards you have placed the order for have been thoroughly tested for quality.

An IPC Class II certificate guarantees your organization will consistently receive superior printed circuit boards.

You may be an inventor striving to sell your latest gadget, or you can be a famous manufacturer ready to launch your latest product, no matter who you are, there is every chance that you are not only familiar with the word ‘printed circuit board’, but you are also pretty well aware of its function and utility. In today’s hi-tech world, we are going to encounter a printed circuit board (PCB) in almost every walk of our lives. From the simplest electronic instrument to the most complicated one, the circuit board is a necessity the importance of which is an established fact. The circuit boards were traditionally single-layered, however, modern PCBs are multi-layered enabling them to fit more components in less space.
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If you are planning to design and market a product for which you need of a printed circuit board prototype, you have two options to get this done. You can make the required printed circuit board prototype all by yourself or you can hire a company or a supplier who specializes in assembling them. However, manufacturing a printed circuit board prototype all by yourself is not an easy task, since you will need assembling and fabrication facilities. This is not a cheap prospect especially if you want to set up these facilities only for prototypes. Outsourcing printed circuit board prototype manufacturing to a company that specializes in manufacturing is a relatively more cost-effective idea. If you want to outsource your printed circuit board prototype manufacturing, you can use the following guidelines to your advantage:
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Printed circuit boards or PCBs are designed to support electronic components that are soldered onto copper pads in drilled holes in board or surface mount applications. A board design may also be a mix of surface mount components and through-hole components.

Printed circuit boards connect all the required leads electrically with the help of conductive copper traces. The connection traces are actually copper engravings on a non-conductive material. PCBS are usually single sided with copper engravings on one side only. However, there are other PCBs that are double sided with copper etchings and component pads on both sides of the surface.
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