In the year 1943 printed circuit boards (PCBs) were first invented. The assembly process of PCBs has advanced to a great extent. In modern times, the iterations are abundant and PCBs do not resemble their predecessors. Printed circuit boards have a ground-breaking importance in the field of electrical and electronic engineering. This is the main reason why its demand has persistence and its development is in a continuous manner. With the advent of new technology PCBs are now more slim, functional, and faster in performance. PCBs have a sophisticated design, enhanced complexity, and higher efficiency. Custom PCB boards are being manufactured now fulfilling the requirements of a specific application. In the year 2021, the net market of PCBs on a global scale was over 78 billion and is expected to grow to over 130 billion by the year 2030. The future of PCBs is somehow expected to have more advancements. Below are the detailed predictions for the trends focused on and anticipated for the PCBs’ future, both PCB assembly and PCB fabrication.
PCB assembly services
1. Trends in the PCB Assembly Process
A number of factors that are based on the trends of industrial applications are also resulting in the change that is occurring in the custom PCB boards.
1.1. Miniaturization in PCB Assembly Services
The assembly process of circuit boards is now tilting down towards a reduction in the size of PCBs and components. The manufacturers are now utilizing state-of-the-art technology for designing and assembling PCBs to make their size smaller, having all required components perform the same kind of functions.
1.2. Surface Mount Technology(SMT) Are More Popular
SMT is not the latest technology but has been in constant improvement phases to become an integral part of the custom PCB board and PCB assembly services. This technology offers the utilization of small equipment that easily fits to the boards. The technology is making it possible to lay components onto the board in a precise manner and improve the overall performance of the equipment.
1.3. High Degree of Automation
Numerous manufacturers are opting to use automated procedures and robots in their production units of PCBs to improve the speed of processes and reduce mistakes during PCB assembly services. The automated processes offer the designers the freedom to cater more components onto the board with fewer spaces among them and better accuracy.
A lot of PCB assembly service providers are currently considering the utilization of automatic equipment, such as automotive pick-and-place machines and autoloaders. They are making the process of automation a lot more efficient, easier, and faster through the integration of electrical and mechanical-aided designs. The process is mainly dependent on the optimization of constraint management of the production line. The advent of this technology is supposed to bring fruitful results in the PCB manufacturing and assembly industry.
1.4. Double-layer Component Placement is Common
Due to the development and printed circuit boards and electronic components. A lot of components need to be assembled on a small part of a printed circuit board. So it is not feasible to just place the components on the top side or bottom side. So, we need to place and assemble the components on both sides of the PCBs.
It is a matter of fact that double-sided PCB assemblies are far better than single-layer PCB assemblies in numerous ways like smaller size, more components, and efficient signal integrity. PCBs with double-layer components are best for fulfilling the desires of consumers who need compact equipment with complicated electronics. That is why PCB assembly services with double-sided components are commonly used now.
1.5. Prefer Components with Integrated Functionality
Currently, printed circuit boards are utilized as connecting components, relaying messages among different active components within the board. Design engineers and researchers are actively working to make printed circuit boards as active systems, in other words, reducing the number of components on the PCB while maintaining the perfect functionality of the device or application. It will also be helpful to reduce the cost of PCB assembly services.
2. The Future of the Printed Circuit Boards
Now, the consumers are demanding for smaller and faster devices. In the same way, custom PCB board also have advancements with the constant advancements in technology. In the following bullet points future trends in the circuit board are covered in detail.
Custom PCB Board
2.1. Advanced PCB Laminates are Used
The state-of-the-art modern electronic equipment has novel materials such as laminates with higher temperatures, high speed, high frequency, and even ceramic and PTFE materials. Such materials offer better electrical and mechanical profromances, making it ideal making it possible to make the circuit work better than before.
2.2. Smaller and Lighter
A lot of electronic devices need to be as small as possible, and as light as possible, such as portable devices, wearable electronics, drones, aerospace equipment., etc. So, printed circuit boards are designed and produced smaller and smaller. So high-tech custom PCB boards such as rigid-flex PCBs and HDI PCBs with blind and buried vias are commonly used.
2.3. The Advent of 3D Printing Technology
The 3-dimensional printing technology is among the key advancements in recent few years. From the tools used for 3D printing to the digital designs that are complex in nature, 3-dimensional printing technology is transforming every industry including the manufacturing of PCBs. 3D printing is already being utilized in the PCB manufacturing industry and is expected to make a revolution in the industry. 3D printing allows the manufacturers to print layer-by-layer substrate items, afterwards adding liquid ink on to all parts having electrical functionalities. In future, PCB manufacturers are expected to pave the way for all imaginable circuit shapes.
2.4. Flexible Printed Circuit Boards Are Widely Used
Flexible PCBs are more and more widely used because of their flexibility and lightweight. A few popular applications of flexible printed circuit boards comprise cameras, fuel pumps, avionics, antilock braking, airbag systems, barcode equipment, satellites, motion systems, ultrasound probes, and semiconductor devices. Currently, biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and flexible displays have increased the demand for flexible PCBs. The electronics industry is constantly changing and is pushing to increase the use of flexible PCBs. These custom PCBs have the capability to bear enhanced stress than other types of PCBs. Such PCBs can even be folded in different shapes, hence making them very easy to use in applications and devices where bending is of abundant concern.
An increased utilization of flexible printed circuit boards is the key factor resulting in fast growth in the PCB market. The growth has been observed since the utilization of PCBs in consumer devices such as cellphones, laptops, tablets, and phablets etc. Another driving factor of PCB utilization is wearable technology-based gadgets such as smartwatches and biomedical devices. Flexible PCBs are also known by other names like flex printed circuit boards, flexible boards, flex circuits, and flex boards, etc. Such PCBs utilize substrates that are flexible, unlike other PCBs that have rigid substrates. This flexibility allows the manufacturers to bend PCBs to certain specific shapes that are desired for a required application during PCB assembly services. Such PCBs have been in widespread use because of the abundant advantages that these offer in comparison with rigid printed circuit boards. For instance, reducing the size of the equipment in which these are utilized because of easily moldable shape.
2.5. RoHS And REACH Compliant Printed Circuit Boards
Every year electronics industry produces abundant waste which is considered one of the major concerns in environmental crises in modern times. A single person utilizes electronic equipment every year such as mobile phones, wearable gadgets, laptops, etc. along with a few short-lived devices. Therefore, there is a drastic requirement to reduce electronic waste. For this purpose, biodegradable PCBs have been introduced. Researchers are working leaps and bounds to cater for this challenging environmental concern. Custom PCB boards with biodegradable capabilities can be a key solution and the electronic industry will become more environmentally friendly.
2.6. Usage of The Internet of Things
The development of printed circuit boards is also highly dependent on the advancements of the Internet of Things (IoT). A major portion of IoT devices are only meant to be utilized in motion. Therefore the utilization of flexible custom PCB board is serving the purpose of making it easier to simplify the process of wiring. Flexible PCBs also offer additional resistance from intense conditions. When the surface area of the board decreases with an increase in the density of routing, the manufacturers tend towards the fabrication of hard PCBs. The conditions are applicable to all types of PCBs such as single-layer, multi-layer, metallic core, and flexible boards. HDI designs play a key role in facilitating lower power consumption with enhanced performance making it perfect for IoT device utilization.
Conclusion
Printed circuit boards have been advanced to a great extent since their advent. PCBs were before rigid blocks but are now slim, have a compact design, and are much more efficient and faster. Electronic design is going through immense alterations to keep up with the advancements in technology-based applications such as wearable gadgets, modern smartphones, flexible displays, and biomedical applications. In future, it is expected that the industry of PCB design and manufacturing will undergo extensive changes. Reliance on flexible custom PCB board will increase. Furthermore, 3D printing technology will make the PCB industry see a new hype of advancements, making PCBs feasible to be utilized for any application. Rest constant automation in the manufacturing of PCBs is also playing a key role in improving the efficiency of PCB assembly services.