Saturday, August 17, 2013

A Guide To The Manufacturing Of PCB Boards

By Andrea Davidson


Everywhere you look, or go, in these modern times, there is always technology there with you. It is true to say that technology has made people's lives so much easier. Many people are happy to use this technology, but few understand the processes behind it. At the core of most of the technology is the field of electronics. For electronics to work someone, somewhere, has been responsible for the manufacturing of PCB boards.

As previously mentioned electronics are often regarded as a complex subject. All too often people feel that they do not have to know the reasons why things work, but they just have to know how to get it to do what they want. Fortunately there are people who are aware how these things interact with each other.

There are so many things, which an individual uses on a daily basis, that rely on electronic components. These components need to be laid out in a set manner for the item to operate as required. Were you to open one of these devices you would see how this gets achieved.

On opening up one of these items you will immediately notice a flat board. This will normally either be brown or green in colour, and is called the printed circuit board. You will notice that there are metallic tracks on one side. These tracks are used to conduct power only where it is meant to go.

These Printed Circuit Boards will normally be one of two types. The type used is often dependent upon various factors, such as complexity and the amount of room available within the item. The types are either through board or surface mount, and the surface mount can be either single or double sided.

No matter which type of board it is, there are certain skills needed to create one. If you don't have a keen eye and a steady hand creating one of these circuit boards becomes very frustrating. People will still need to be made aware about which component is which, and how they need fitting.

The through board is the most likely type that people will come across. It does have certain advantages. The components are all situated on the other side to the metallic tracks. The component's legs are fed through the board, hence the name. The legs are soldered to the metal tracks which conducts power through the component and also holds them securely in place. The legs are clipped to prevent them sticking trough too far, and possibly becoming a short circuit. The components are of a size that enable easier handling.

Surface mount boards have their components soldered directly to pads connected to the tracks. These components are a lot smaller, and it is best to use magnification and a good light source. Using these items it makes fitting the components somewhat simpler, but remember that these components can be fitted to one or both sides of the board.

When the technician is happy that all of these components sit in their right places on the circuit board, they will then apply a conformal coating. This is another means of protection which is applied. So now when you see an electrical item you will have a greater awareness about how firms manage the manufacturing of PCB boards.




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