The Evolution of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

Introduction to Printed Circuit Boards

In the electronic world, the boards play an essential and influential role in the circuits. Hence, multiple standards of boards were designed by designers to build different projects. Majorly. Electronic circuits use printed circuit boards for efficient, effective, and reliable products. However, PCBs are of various kinds, used for different purposes. But, not all the PCBs were made instantly together. It has gone through a long process of evolution. Thus, it gets progression with time. So, in this article, we will discuss the Evolution of Printed Circuit Boards.

Brief History of Printed Circuit Boards

Before discussing the evolution, first, you need to know the history of printed circuit boards. So, a Printed circuit board that is shortly known as PCB was first got developed in 1930. But, the board first got operated in a radio system in 1936 based on the design given by Charles Ducas. After that, the united states military adopted the technology and utilized it during the second world war. Hence, the technology was released publicly in 1948.

Evolution of PCB

In electronics markets, when the transistor got introduced in the 1950s, it reduces the size of PCB. After that, PCB got evolved into double sides. Also, zinc plates were used to incorporate the coating, etc. In the 1960s, the integrated circuit got introduced into the market. since ICs were made to integrate thousands of components on a single chip, therefore the PCB got smaller. However, the soldering and reliability were still the main issues. In the 1970s, PCB got through a major problem when it gets associated with the harmful chemical polychlorinated biphenyl. Hence, to reduce the people’s confusion, the name PCB got replaced by the name ‘Printed Wiring Board (PWB)’.

After that, a solder mask got developed for solder applications on the copper circuits. Later, the photo imageable polymer coating got formulated to improve the circuit density. In the 1980s important surface, mount technology got created that reduces soldering and increases reliability. Moreover, it increased the performance of the boards and the functional power of circuits. In 1990 some software like CAD, CAM, etc became popular which helps in designing effective circuits with the reduction of size. Then, in the 2000’s different kinds of PCBs like multi-layer, flexible, rigid, and other types got introduced which decreases more size and cost.

The Latest Innovation PCBs

The name Printed wiring board which gets interchanged by the Printed circuit boards are evolved more in rigid-flex technology The technology comprises of the hardboard circuit with the flexible layers, that forms the rigid structure. They are relatively smaller, thinner, and can be shaped differently during manufacturing.

Future of Printed Circuit boards

The printed boards have already evoluted a lot. But, as we all know that technology can’t stop progress. therefore, we are expecting more evolvement of PCBs for building more smaller devices. Moreover, Rigid-flex PCBs are not highly utilized. thus, we are expecting this rigid-flex technology will get more advancement to meet the needs of designers.