What is a PCB ?
The complete form of PCB is Printed Circuit Board, a printed circuit board, also known as printed wiring board, is an integral part of electronic equipment. It is a laminated sandwich structure consisting of a conductive layer and an insulating layer, which forms the electrical connection between electronic components by patterning and laying conductive copper foil on an insulating material.
Uses of PCB
PCB is made by etching copper foil on an insulating substrate through electronic printing technology, and then electronic components are connected according to a predetermined circuit design to ensure accurate signal transmission and normal operation of the entire electronic system. It not only provides mechanical support, but also carries the circuit alignment that connects the various electronic components to ensure that complex electrical functions can be realized, where the application in life is very wide and very important.
The main function of PCB
The function of the PCB is to enable electronic devices to perform simple operations, PCB provides channels and paths for currents and signals, provides mechanical support for the fixing and assembly of electronic components, realizes the wiring and electrical connections or electrical insulation between components, and provides the required electrical characteristics. Without the PCB, the device may not even start.
What is the difference between PCB and PCBA?
Difference between PCBA and PCB, PCB is a blank circuit board without any electronic components, PCBA is based on the PCB as a carrier, installation and fixation of all components required for the operation of the intended application, to realize the electrical connection between the components.
Basic Composition of PCB
PCB is mainly composed of the following parts:
Substrate: usually made of glass fiber or epoxy resin, providing mechanical support and insulation.
Conductive layer: made of copper foil, responsible for transmitting current and signals.
Soldermask layer: protects the copper foil of the circuit board from oxidation and prevents short circuits.
Character Layer: Marks the location of components on the circuit board for easy assembly and maintenance.
Types of PCBs
Categorized by number of layers
Single-sided: Suitable for low-complexity circuits, these boards have components mounted on one side only, and the back side is usually all copper (grounded) and coated with a soldermask.
Double-sided boards: both sides have conductive layers, both have electronic components installed, each surface is defined as a signal layer in the PCB stack and is suitable for more complex circuit designs.
Multi-layer boards: PCB boards with 4 or more layers, these boards have conductors on the inner layers and are suitable for highly integrated and large circuits.
Categorized by Rigid and Flexible
Rigid PCB: Rigid PCB common materials include, phenolic paper laminate, epoxy paper laminate, polyester glass felt laminate, epoxy glass cloth laminate, etc., which have strong stability and can effectively prevent the deformation of the circuit board.
Flexible PCBs: Fully flexible PCBs do not use any rigid materials, including polyester film, polyimide film, and fluorinated ethylene propylene film. These boards allow for the mounting and soldering of components, just like rigid and rigid-flex printed circuit boards.
Rigid-Flex PCBs: Rigid-Flex PCBs use flexible polyimide tape to connect two or more rigid sections of a printed circuit board assembly, and may be used when the design must have some removable components, such as a folded or bent enclosure.
Other classifications
High-frequency PCBs: are circuit boards designed for processing and transmitting high-frequency signals, and are widely used in high-frequency (frequencies greater than 300 MHz or wavelengths of less than 1 meter) and microwave (frequencies greater than 3 GHz or wavelengths of less than 0.1 meter) applications.
Aluminum-backed PCBs: Circuit boards with printed circuits attached to a metal substrate, mainly used to improve the heat dissipation performance of circuit boards.
What are the disadvantages of PCB?
Disadvantages: Easy to cause handling damage.
Carcinogenic substances (thiourea) are used in the process
Exposed tin during final assembly may corrode.
Not suitable for multiple reflow/assembly processes.
Thickness is difficult to measure.
PCB Application Areas
PCB is widely used in a variety of electronic equipment, from small electronic watches, calculators to large computers, communication electronic equipment, military weapons systems, etc., because it can simplify the assembly and welding of electronic products, reduce wiring workload, reduce the size of the whole machine, reduce product costs, improve quality and reliability.
What types of PCBs does Topfast PCB manufacture?
Topfast PCB offers a diverse range of PCB manufacturing services to cater to different industry needs. Our expertise extends to the production of high-difficulty PCBs and HDI PCBs, which are designed to meet complex and demanding requirements. Additionally, we specialize in manufacturing Rigid-Flex PCBs, which combine the flexibility of flexible circuits with the structural integrity of rigid boards, enabling versatile and compact designs. For applications that require high-frequency and high-speed signal transmission, our team is skilled in manufacturing High Frequency PCBs and High-Speed PCBs, ensuring optimal performance and signal integrity. Moreover, we provide PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) services, which involve the assembly of components onto the PCBs, offering a comprehensive solution for customers who require a complete PCB assembly package. With our diverse capabilities, we are committed to delivering high-quality PCBs and PCBA services for a wide range of applications and industries.