Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are not new. The earliest use of the technology was in the 1850s, where metal strips were used to connect different components. In 1913 an English inventor created a method of printing and etching, and in 1913 an American, Charles Ducas, patented a method to use electroplating to create a path on an insulating material. This was done with electrically conductive ink and a stencil and was known as a printed circuit.
The military used a more advanced version of this technology in World War ll, and by 1961 the Hadeltine company in the United States was using an early version of the current printed circuit board.
Over time, and particularly in the last few decades, the demand for small PCBs with more complex designs and more advanced requirements has become a major factor in printed circuit board design. Using experienced and specialized contract manufacturers to design and then assemble the PCBs eliminates the common mistakes made by less experienced in-house teams.
Layout Issues
The overall layout with printed circuit board design is a critical factor. No matter how each of the components works, if it is not in the correct location on the PCB, there is an increased risk of performance issues or failures.
Some of these types of common mistakes include not positioning the critical components in the right places on the board. By having the test points in easy to access positions and avoiding crowding the components together, the assembly process is much easier, and overall board performance is enhanced.
Using the Correct Materials and Technology
The choice of all materials and technology used in both the printed circuit board design process as well as the assembly needs to be determined in advance. The layout of the board should consider if automated assembly processes are used, including plated through-hole, package-on-package, or automated component placement are going to be used in the assembly process.
