PCB Services – Understanding The Different Services

 
Today, majority of electronic devices feature Printed Circuit Boards, or PCBs. Made from glass-reinforced plastic, PCBs use copper tracks instead of wires. PCB fabrication is a pretty straightforward process. In order to fix the components into position, holes are drilled throughout the board. Once all the holes have been drilled, the components are put in place and soldered. Finally, the components are linked together through copper tracks to form a circuit. Apart from fabrication, there are many other PCB services on offer including prototyping, repairing and testing. However, here we’ll be discussing the three most basic PCB services — PCB design, fabrication and assembly.

PCB Design

PCB design is an integral part of the printed circuit board manufacturing process. Additionally, it’s one of the most important PCB services. Prior to Printed circuit board design, an engineer produces a circuit design that contains sub-products such as the circuit functionality diagram. Also known as a schematic, the circuit functionality diagram encompasses symbols that are connected by lines. For example, a resistor is depicted with the help of a zigzag line.

It is important for you to keep in mind the zigzag line doesn’t illustrate the appearance of the resistor rather it symbolizes its function. You’ll find a variety of such symbols in a schematic diagram. In simple terms, the Printed circuit board represents the physical characteristics of the components while the schematic diagram represents their function. Borrowing the design from the schematic diagram and converting it into an artwork form that produces a pattern of wires, holes, and components is necessary to manufacture a printed circuit board. A PCB designer or ‘layout professional’ creates this artwork.

PCB Fabrication

Another important printed circuit board service is PCB fabrication. Although there are small discrepancies, all printed circuit board fabrication methods involve the same main steps. Additionally, PCB fabrication is a fairly simple process. All the printed circuit board fabrication requires is placing the components on the board and soldering them. In fact, it’s so simple that you could do-it-yourself without the help of a professional. However, using a professional service is always the safer option.

PCB Assembly

Once the printed circuit board is complete, assembling the electronic components to form functional printed circuit assembly is necessary. Known as PCB assembly, the assembling of electronic components is a multiple-step process that includes surface mount and through-hole technology. Knowledge of PCB components as well as the knowledge of the printed circuit board design is the basic requirement for PCB assembly. Additionally, a thorough understanding of fabrication and the final product is also required.

A critical part of the printed circuit board fabrication process, printed circuit board assembly must be performed accurately. The reason for this is simple—you can benefit from printed circuit boards only if its components are assembled accurately. The steps involved in printed circuit board assembly include choosing the PCB technology, soldering the components onto the board, attaching the components, passing the PCB through the soldering machine, inspection and testing.

Additionally, there are certain PCB services which will also provide you the facility for PCB reverse engineering. This is the process of converting a printed circuit board into a schematic.