| Printed Circuit Board, or PCB, has revolutionized the | | | | purpose of circuit. Examining which components to use |
| electronics industry. Invented in the 1930s, it has come | | | | is best dealt in an encyclopedia series. This leaves |
| to be used in every imaginable electronic gadget. This | | | | laminate boards and traces. Production costs, working |
| article explains the importance of these boards, and | | | | efficiency and operating cost of the finished circuit, all |
| examines their benefits and manufacturing options. | | | | depend on these elements. |
| Why Use A PCB? What Can It Be Used For? | | | | Of the several materials used for the boards, six are |
| Before delving into the details, it's important for you to | | | | the most widely manufactured: FR-1, FR-2, FR-3, FR-4, |
| know the possible applications of Printed circuit boards, | | | | CEM-1 and CEM-3. "FR" stands for "flame retardant". |
| and why you should use them (i.e., what their | | | | FR 1, 2 and 3 are essentially the same, with only minor |
| advantages are). | | | | differences in properties. They are not suited for |
| What can you use them for? Absolutely everything! | | | | building multilayer boards. The same is true for CEM-1. |
| There's virtually no electronic device that can't be built | | | | FR-4 and CEM-3 are two laminates that can be used |
| using PCBs. Battery-operated toys, cell phones, music | | | | for multilayer boards. Of the two, FR-4 is more widely |
| players, TVs, computers, automobiles, aircraft - almost | | | | manufactured, and hence is cheaper. It can be used |
| everything that uses some sort of electronics, makes | | | | for single and multilayer boards, and has excellent |
| use of them. | | | | thermal tolerance up to 130°C. |
| Whether you're a hobbyist building a toy, a student | | | | Copper is the most commonly used material for |
| doing science-project, or an appliance-maker | | | | traces. Simple methods involve plating the entire board |
| manufacturing millions of devices, the use of printed | | | | with copper, and then etching away unnecessary |
| boards offer benefits. | | | | areas through a mask (stencil) to leave the required |
| Firstly, a PCB is much smaller than other types of | | | | traces. More complex methods allow traces to be |
| circuits. Its reduced size is an extremely important | | | | added on to a bare board. Each approach has |
| aspect to its overall production process. In addition, a | | | | associated pros and cons. |
| printed circuit greatly reduces the need for wires. This | | | | Some boards require the use of gold for sensitive, |
| improves the appearance of the final circuit and | | | | low-voltage applications or lead-free (RoHS) |
| enhances durability. For mass-producers ordering in | | | | compliance. Copper traces usually demand the use of |
| large production, it's the cheapest method, offering | | | | a nickel barrier layer before gold-plating. This is to |
| huge cost benefits. | | | | prevent gold from migrating into the copper. |
| What are the Key Design Considerations when | | | | Indiscriminate use of nickel can result in huge losses to |
| making a PCB? | | | | impedance. |
| There Are Three Main Elements: | | | | If you want to develop a custom PCB, it's |
| * A laminate board. | | | | recommended that you first spend a little time |
| * The components mounted on the board. | | | | understanding the basics of PCB design. There are |
| * Traces that serve as the "wires" connecting | | | | several detailed guides and tutorials. Also, design and |
| components and forming the circuit. | | | | simulation software are available to help you test your |
| The actual components used depend entirely on the | | | | design before you make a PCB Prototype. |