Prototype PCB: Some Insights

PCB or Printed Circuit Board is meant to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components by the use of pads, conductive tracks and other features made from copper sheets and laminated efficiently onto a non-conductive substrate. A prototype on the other hand is an original or early model of something or release of a product built to test a concept or act as a thing to be learned from. It is a term used widely in electronics just like Prototype PCB. It provides specification for a real working system than just a theoretical one. PCB can be single sided, double sided or multi layered. Conductors on different layers are attached with plated-through holes called Vias.

Advanced and modern PCB may consist of components like capacitors, resistors, and other active substances embedded in the substrate. A PCB containing all these electronic components is called a PCB Assembly or PCBA. Legend printing is often done on one or both sides of the PCB and it contains the component designators, test points and switch settings and other types of indication that will be helpful in assembling, testing and servicing the circuit boards. After the printed circuit board is completed, electronic components are required to be attached to form a functional printed circuit assembly or sometimes called Printed Circuit Board assembly or just PCBA.

Electronic Assembly Services

A reputed company can provide quality electronic assembly services for both single and multilayer flexible as well as rigid circuit boards. Also it can be expected to perform other assembly services that include SMT Assembly, Through Hole assembly services and Leadless Device Placement services etc.

Through- hole Technology

Through-hole technology was used initially by the first PCBs, mounting electronic components by leads inserted through holes on one side of the board and efficiently soldered onto copper traces on its opposite side. Through-hole PCB technology almost fully replaced the earlier electronics assembly techniques like point- to- point construction. Since the second generation of computer in 1950 until 1980 Through-hole technology was at its peak point interims of popularity and efficiency.

Surface Mount Technology

Surface Mount Technology gained momentum in 1980 since the time Through-hole technology started climbing down its ladder of popularity. In this case electronic components were mechanically redesigned to have smaller sized metal tabs or end caps that would made possible soldering directly onto the PCB surface. A wire lead to pass through the hole is not required at all here. Components placement on both sides of the board due to their smaller sizes became more common than through-hole mounting. This allowed having much smaller PCB assemblies with greater circuit densities than ever was possible. Surface mounting technology leads to a high degree of automation and an increased rate of production. It greatly helped in reducing labor cost and thus was and is quite economical.

Uses

A Prototype PCB Assembly can be successfully used to satisfy the requirements of a Telecom industry, and can be used as medical equipment, as an avionics equipment etc. Several medical device manufacturers trust a reputed company like http://www.bestproto.net/ providing PCB assemblies to work on their new development projects.

About The Author

David Fischer is an Engineer and has a special interest in the world of circuit board. He is also a part of the lab testing teams in various companies. He loves to write and share his extensive knowledge & experience in this field. He highly recommends BestProto.net for building electromechanical and prototype PCB.