The first iPhone was released in 2007 and since then the expansion of technology has blown many people away. Understand that in 2014, the revenue of the circuit board and electronic manufacturing industry was estimated to be at about $44 billion in the United States alone. Technology has come along way and as a result, a lot of people are buying into this new world of technology that we live in.
Understand low volume PCB is not easy. First and foremost, you should know that PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board. Also, you should know that the expansion of this industry has brought forth new skilled positions that are paid quite well.
A typical engineer’s salary can range anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000.
A lot of board designers will work with computer-aided design systems that utilize special software to help layout the circuit pattern on the board, the low volume PCB. The spaces between the conducting paths for electricity are often 0.04 inches or can even be smaller. Most double-sided circuit boards will connect the circuits on each side using one of two methods which include through-hole technology and surface mount technology.
Problems that are caused by low volume PCB printing technique’s will normally make up about 70% of all surface assembly quality issues without any consideration of PCB design or quality of components and printed boards. Temperature curve plays a critical role in determining soldering quality. Prior to 160C, temperature rising rate should be controlled at 1 to 2 degrees per second. If the temperature rises too quickly, on one hand, components and PCB tend to suffer heat too quickly, which tends to destroy components, leading to deformation of PCB.
The most common low volume PCB multilayer boards are 4 layers, 6 layers, 8 layers, and 10 layers. It is importnat to know though that the total number of layers that can be created will be more than 42 layers and these types of boards are used in extremely complex electronic circuits. Transistors will usually shrink until they reach the size of a single nanometer.
Before low volume PBC design software was created, most low volume PCB’s were designed using Mylar sheets which are actually four times larger than the circuit board itself. A solder paste applier, high-speed chip shooter, pick-and-place machine and infrared oven placed in a conveyor configuration can apply solder paste, place and solder 50,000 parts or more per hour. A single automatic line can place and solder more components than 50 hand solder operators, and do it with better, more consistent quality.
In 1995, a little over 50 years after the introduction of PCBs, they became a $7.1 billion industry for the first time. Just 5 years later in 2000, they became an over $10 billion industry, and since 2012 have reached over $60 billion worldwide. Heavy copper PCB: printed circuit boards with a copper thickness of more than 3 Oz in inner or outer layers. PCB trace thickness is measured in ounces of copper. Many PCB designers use 1 oz or 2 oz copper, but many PCB manufacturers can provide 6 oz thickness.
In Conclusion
There is no question that understanding the world of printed circuit boards is not easy and can be complex, that is why engineers are paid well because they understand these complex concepts. Small batch PCB assembly, Turnkey PCB assembly, Prototype assembly, and PCB inspection should without a doubt be left to the experts that understand this line of work. This is not to say that outsiders cannot get involved in the industry but instead that you should always consult with someone who has the highest amount of information possible.