Friday, October 11, 2013

An Insight Into PCB Design Services

By Catalina Nielsen


In today's modern world have you ever noticed just how many different electronic devices you use in a day. Some are bigger than others, but they are all created to make life much easier. Maybe you have previously opened one up and have seen all of those odd looking components soldered to a board. In which case you might have been slightly confused with what they all do, some businesses are the same and so they use PCB design services.

For those interested the initials mean printed circuit board, and if you got confused looking at one it becomes easier to see why businesses elect to use a professional when it comes to designing time. The flat board is simple to understand as it is a laminated piece, even though the dimensions might change the overall piece will remain the same. An initial decision has to be made about where the finished board will be fitted in the product.

Once the actual size has been worked out the designers can start to create a template. On this they can plot obstructions, such as the position of the screw holes used to mount the board. Also of critical importance is how will power be introduced to the board, and where will it come from.

There are two basic forms of circuit boards, one is known as surface mount and the other is known as through board. Components on the surface mount type board are much smaller, and therefore more components can be placed in a limited area if the electronic application is more complicated. As they are smaller they also weigh less which might be beneficial if weight is a factor.

By far the most commonly used board that a person will observe is the through board. This type is easy to recognize as the components have metal wire legs, the legs are fed through the board. On the opposite side of the board there are metallic tracks, the component legs are soldered to these tracks. The tracks are also there to ensure that the power only goes where it is meant to.

As soon as the board version has been decided then the circuit itself can be drawn up. The client will need to ensure that the designers know all of the operating aspects of the equipment. Two master diagrams are produced alongside each other, there is a schematic drawing and a wiring drawing.

Once the circuit has been planned a working prototype can be created. The schematic layout is miniaturized and printed on the non-track side of the circuit board. This will tell the technician exactly where each component is to be placed. When the circuit board has been completely populated testing can be conducted to make sure that it works as the client requested.

Creating the circuit can be an intensive process, which many feel is best left to the professionals. As a consequence businesses, rather than struggle with something attempted in house, will make the most of PCB design services. Perhaps the next time you use any electronic device you will have a slight idea about how it came to be.




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