Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used in a variety of industries, and have become an integral part of day-to-day life. They’ve been integrated into the design and operation of a variety of devices that we rely on, such as computers, smartphones, and other technological devices. Over the past 30 years, for example, most traffic lights in North America use PCB assemblies in order to effectively direct traffic.
The global PCB market is also expected to grow over the next few years. According to Technavio’s market research analyst, by 2020, the global market is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate of approximately three percent. Just two years later in 2022, it is estimated that the global market will be valued at $72.6 billion.
It’s important to note that some PCB manufacturers provide a variety of services. This ranges from PCB design and layout to creating PCB prototypes and quick turn PCB manufacturing and assembly. When a company needs quick turn PCB services, for instance, it’s a good idea to have this and other services taken care of in the same shop. Since the entire PCB production process can be handled under a single roof, this can be much more efficient. Furthermore, since PCBs can be machine rather than hand-soldered, this also provides more quality control and saves valuable time.
PCBs do fail on occasion. In the event that a PCB does fail, it is usually due to one of two contributing factors. The first factor is performance issues that are related to environmental stresses. Part of the manufacturing process is to place stress on PCBs and the devices themselves for quality control purposes. Any issues with PCBs and the devices they operate can be determined at this point rather than post-manufacture, which is obviously preferred.
The second factor that may contribute to PCB failure is when the manufacturer causes problems during the production process. In addition to installing the wrong component or installing it incorrectly, other issues may result from defective parts or poor soldering.
Given that technological advancements continue to be made on a regular basis, it’s not surprising to learn that the global PCB manufacturing industry is increasing its scope as well. When considering the industry’s growth as well as the demand for more efficient equipment and devices, it’s possible that the estimated global market will exceed expectations.