In all types of equipment, systems, and devices, printed circuit boards are used to control, route and relay signals between circuits to provide the function of the system. Over the years, printed circuit boards or PCBs have changed, with the increasing demand for smaller sizes and greater functionality making these even more complex.
There are several changes in the needs of OEMs for printed circuit board design to meet the demands of consumers in the market. As consumer demand drives the industry, new options in PCBs are becoming more challenging to both effective design and manufacturing processes. Most OEMs are addressing these issues by hiring specialized companies for all of their PCB design needs, ensuring that the latest in technology and innovation is included in the printed circuit board design.
Smaller Surface Areas
With small equipment, including thinner cell phones and even smaller but more functional laptops and tablets, the need for PCB design that includes multiple layers is always a factor. The more layers that are involved in a board, the more specific the design has to be to avoid problems once the board is installed and operating.
Connection Requirements
With the decreasing size of the boards and the boosted requirement for functionality, the number of connections that are required with even basic printed circuit board design is significantly larger than even the most complex boards of just a few years ago.
To address some of these issues, specific types of equipment have been designed for automated assembly. The PCB design is most effective when it incorporates these types of factors in the choice for connection options and layout of the board. A well-designed board is less costly to produce, offers a longer life cycle and is also less prone to production quality issues, all which save the OEM money.
